Clam Question???

[Bikinisalt]

Clam experts, a little help please...

I have been breaking down my glass tanks and converting over to acrylic ones. In a few weeks I will have a 120G(48X24X24) and a 72G(36X36X13). But before I sell the 36X36X13, I was wondering if this would make a good clam tank? The reason why I ask is because my wife likes them and I never owned one and would like to try.

Also I don't want to put LR in the tank, just the clams. Would a sump, MH lighting, 1 inch sand bed, and a good skimmer do the trick or do I still need to add LR?

One more thing. What do they eat?

I am just adding clams, no fish...

 

[pecan2phat]

You need to have the live rock as your biological filtration. You can house enough LR in the sump to make the display tank pretty though.

 

[pecan2phat]

Clams under 2.5" usually need phyto as a supplement. Larger clams just require good lighting.

 

[pecan2phat]

Then I could be wrong according to JHale

 

[Bikinisalt]

You need to have the live rock as your biological filtration. You can house enough LR in the sump to make the display tank pretty though.

I had the gut feeling, I would still need the LR. So I guess the sand bed is not enough and a wet/dry is totally out of the ?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Phyto is a scam for the clam.

 

[Bikinisalt]

Phyto is a scam for the clam.

I Don't understand.

 

[Deanos]

I recommend reading J. Fatherree's book on the care of tridacnid clams and make your own conclusions as to their dietary needs.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

At the swap James Fathreree Gave a lecture, about clams. Phyto isn't a requirement to clams

 

[jhale]

oh oh...

all I will say for now, there are different opinions on whether small clams need to be fed.

I'm now in the non-feeding opinion. clams get all they need from photosynthesis.

 

[Bikinisalt]

I recommend reading J. Fatherree's book on the care of tridacnid clams and make your own conclusions as to their dietary needs.

Thank you. :cool3:

 

[Bikinisalt]

oh oh...

all I will say for now, there are different opinions on whether small clams need to be fed.

I'm now in the non-feeding opinion. clams get all they need from photosynthesis.

So there would really not be any real biological filtration? Then why would I need LR???

 

[Alex]

don't know if you where at the swap yesterday,anyway one of the lectures was on giant clams in the aquarium.excellent lecture but if you missed it I would suppose that his book would have the info from the lecture.

In short clams use 4 different ways to feed and grow, one of which is lighting.
they also siphon the water to obtain the nutrients that they need(zooplankton).
I only feed the tank once a week (DT's) and my clam seems to be doing fine,judging by the growth band.
Pickup the book it can only help.
James fatheree- lighting and nutrition for giant clams in the aquarium.

 

[Bikinisalt]

don't know if you where at the swap yesterday,anyway one of the lectures was on giant clams in the aquarium.excellent lecture but if you missed it I would suppose that his book would have the info from the lecture.

In short clams use 4 different ways to feed and grow, one of which is lighting.
they also siphon the water to obtain the nutrients that they need(zooplankton).
I only feed the tank once a week (DT's) and my clam seems to be doing fine,judging by the growth band.
Pickup the book it can only help.
James fatheree- lighting and nutrition for giant clams in the aquarium.

No I could not make it to the swap, had a prior engagement. I will pick up the book. But for my main ? Will the tank that I have in ? work. My idea was to look down at them instead of looking through the glass...

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Actually that tank would probably be very good.

 

[Bikinisalt]

Thanks B. I think it would look nice too. How many clams you think I would be able to put in it? I was thinking about 8. It is a wide tank...

 

[bad coffee]

3 feet x 3 feet? you could put 20 clams in there.

And, I think without that many, the tank will look really sparse.


I fed my maximas until the seltzer bottle wouldn't fit over them

B

 

[Bikinisalt]

3 feet x 3 feet? you could put 20 clams in there.

And, I think without that many, the tank will look really sparse.


I fed my maximas until the seltzer bottle wouldn't fit over them

B

Really I put 20... Thanks GREAT!!!

 

[prattreef]

Great size tank for clams. Make the stand low so you can look down from above for ideal viewing. May I also suggest the Ice Cap 150W DE Spot Pendants ( with the 65K lamps) as great lamps for clams and this kind of application.

 

[Bikinisalt]

Great size tank for clams. Make the stand low so you can look down from above for ideal viewing. May I also suggest the Ice Cap 150W DE Spot Pendants ( with the 65K lamps) as great lamps for clams and this kind of application.

I want a round pendant that I can install from my ceiling and hang over the tank. It should look nice.

I am still confused about the LR part...