softies/sps/lps/clam!

[TommyP]

I am in the beginning stages of building my 55g reef and was looking for some affordable corals to start out with. I have some corals already - I was looking to grab 2 clams as well. Pics and prices please. located suffolk county NY will meet/come to you if it's a reasonable distance. Just need some help creating this beautiful tank.

 

[TommyP]

I also need a new stand or a sump that will fit the stand I currently have which is this one: http://www.petco.com/product/101396...ight-Aquarium-Stand.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

I do have a 20l sump so even if you have a stand for cheap even if it's metal I can put black curtain around the 3 sides to make it look nice.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

If you are in the beginning stages I would hold off on buying a clam or any sps until your system has matured and is stable enough to sustain them. I would start off with softies and lps. Learn the fundamentals of reefing before you buy the stuff that could easily die. Give it a year before you add sps or clams.

 

[TommyP]

I have had a handful of corals for several months - my tank is just not as full as many others on here. My tank has matured over the past 8-9 months. I will wait a little longer to introduce a clam in my system just to make sure but I'm just looking out there for some great deals. Thank you for the kind advice.

Thanks for the Pms so far.

 

[bertyboy69]

I put a clam in my system after about 6 months and it was small maybe 1.5 inches and now its at least 3 mayne 3.5 after about 8 minths , i would think your okay for a clam

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[TommyP]

I put a clam in my system after about 6 months and it was small maybe 1.5 inches and now its at least 3 mayne 3.5 after about 8 minths , i would think your okay for a clam

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

Thank you - I do appreciate both your advice and Triggers as well. Maybe another month or two I will search for a clam. What type of clam did you get?

 

[bertyboy69]

I got an ultra maxima , i would suggest getting one thats at least 3 inches or so in size as they are more prone to death when they are small , im very ocd with my tank though i never miss any maintenence and i check paramaters often they do benefit from stop feeding there a bunch of differnt food i belueve oyster feast is a good one because clams are filter feeders as well as photosyntyetic

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[TommyP]

Yes. My friends father has 2 giant clams in his tank and he feeds occasionally small liquid pearls he said? or oyster feast I forget which one... Thank you!

 

[bertyboy69]

As they get bigger they dont need feedings as much but tge small ones definetly require feeding and they are very sensitive , just do some searching around and research before you buy anything , some clams prefer the sand bed some prefer to be on rock , and you have to "burp" the clam when you move it to your tank just basically spin it around to get all the air bubbles out , they shouldnt be out of water for long as all so make sure when u do water changes it wont be exposed to air

And i know dr mac from pacific east aquaculture always has beautiful clams but they are usually very large idk what size tank you have but they are really nice and healthy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[TommyP]

I have a 55 and none of my corals at this point are out of the water when doing a water change. As long as the clam is not exposed to air there is no reason to burp the clam. Now when I do and if it is exposed to air (because I don't want to introduce any lfs water to my tank) I will do so. Thanks!

 

[highboost91]

Check my thread you can come by im in deer park and see what you want thanks let me know

 

[TommyP]

Check my thread you can come by im in deer park and see what you want thanks let me know

Ok ty

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Well 8-9 months is a different story. I wouldn't call that "The beginning stages". The beginning stages is like the first month.

 

[TommyP]

Well 8-9 months is a different story. I wouldn't call that "The beginning stages". The beginning stages is like the first month.

Compared to a lot of other people's tanks I looked at - I'm at the beginning stages which is why I worded it that way lol.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Well really I guess it depends on how experienced you are and what you are sustaining in your ecosystem. Any pics of the tank.? What corals do you have already? I use a year as an approximate estimation for sps and clams but you would probably be ok. You can always try an easy sps like a monti or digi and see if it lives. More information about your tank would help also. What kind of lighting are you running etc. Tell me about your system.

 

[TommyP]

Well really I guess it depends on how experienced you are and what you are sustaining in your ecosystem. Any pics of the tank.? What corals do you have already? I use a year as an approximate estimation for sps and clams but you would probably be ok. You can always try an easy sps like a monti or digi and see if it lives. More information about your tank would help also. What kind of lighting are you running etc. Tell me about your system.

I have a 55g tank. Reef octopus hob skimmer. Two 120w dimmable LED units. 10g sump w/ breeder basket with caulerpa & chaeto.

fish:
Pair of Snowflake Clowns
Barlett's Anthias
Lyretail Anthias
Diamond Goby
Yellow-Eye Kole Tang

Inverts:
2 cleaner shrimp
2 hawaiin feather dusters
tons of mini ones on 1 peice of lR
4 nassarius snails
2 turbo snails
a handful of blue leg hermit crabs

Corals: off the top of my head
bubble coral (grew 2x the size)
pink birdsnest (just got it on Thursday)
Green monti cap (just got it on Thursday)
torch coral (had 1 now has 2 heads)
2 head duncan coral
multiple types of zoas
frogspawn
different types of mushrooms
branching goniopora (never fully opened like it did at the store a couple months ago)
Hammer coral not sure of the exact type it's brown w/ green tips
Green Candy Cane Coral. 2 frags - 1 had 3 heads 1 had 2 heads. The 3 headed one died bc it was tipped over in the sandbed and got white.
Open brain type of looking coral unsure of the exact name

I have pics on my tank thread.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Ok well sounds like you are off to a good start. Gonis are not easy to keep you have to feed a lot of fine particle foods. That is probably the reason it is not doing well. Add some phyto, rotifers,reef frenzy etc. Anything small will make a big difference. The best way is to turn off your return and slow down your flow a little if you have multiple power heads. Let the food float around so the corals can grab them. Have you tested your water lately? IF so with what kit? What type of water are you using?

 

[TommyP]

I am going to test my water this weekend. All my parameters were in check which I know is general but I test regularly. I used the API sw test kit = which I know sometimes is not accurate for trates. I have 4 powerheads. 2 hydor 750's pointing at each other on each side. Then 1 aqueon 250 facing front wall (come from left side) then another 250 blowing along the back wall to move water.

I use rodi water.

 

[TommyP]

As far as adding some phyto, rotifers,reef frenzy etc. not sure where to get it. Didn't want to order off line. Any lfs carry this?