How long to wait before adding a clam?

[Anonymous]

Well, my tank has now been set up for 3 months. I've added a reasonable amount of coral, as people who've seen my tank thread will know. I know the advice is to wait for the tank to be mature before adding SPS. I've always assumed the same advice holds true for giant clams, but is that right?

I ask because I've just found an Okinawan aquaculture supplier selling T. derasas, which aren't sold that widely here. They've always been my favorites and I'd love to have one, alongside a couple of others maybe (the metallic blue T. croceas are often sold here and might look good alongside).

I'm not in a hurry as such, but wanted to start thinking ahead/planning.

 

[Anonymous]

I have found T. derasa to be very easy to work with. As long as parameters are decent, I see no reason for you to be too worried about giving it a go.

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, that'd be my take on it as well...go for it :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I'd go for it. The only real reason I can think of to wait on SPS is to make sure your tank is past the initial nuisance algae. They can really mess up SPS.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here. T. derasa is relatively forgiving like Well Seasn'd mentions (Hi Marina)

My usual sign for starting to add SPS is the first growth of coralline on the glass. Probably a bit early, but whatevah.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. Really stoked about having found somewhere selling them. I'll probably get one in the next month or so.

like Well Seasn'd mentions (Hi Marina)

Really? That would be very cool. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

T. derasa should be a good choice. Keep an eye out for the pesty rice snail. I have several vials of these somewhere in my collection. Removing them by hand is not fun when the clam is more than 5 lb. attached to a live rock that's another 10 lb., and tank deeper than 30 inch.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the warning Dupa. I'll keep my eyes open when it arrives as a little 'un.