40gal breeder Clam set up....?

[wormdog99]

Hey guys. I have been doing saltwater for about a year and a half now and have now gotten the courage to start a clam based tank. I was hoping I could run my proposed set up by everyone and see what you think. Sorry I don't have any pictures to show you, but I will do my best to describe it to you.

First is my lighting,

I will have a hood/canopy that will contain 2x55w Actinics, 2x55w 10k, and 1x175w 6500k MH. The lights will be about 12" or so above the water so you can look at the clams from above the water.

The Tank,

I want to use a 40gal breeder that I have with a 1-1/2" drain inside an overflow box in the center on the back wall. There will be (1) 1/2" return in each rear corner. These 2 returns will be plumbed a 3/4" SCWD that will be hooked to either a mag 7 or eheim 1260 (i think).

The tank will drain into a 20gal high glass aquarium that will be used as a refugium with a section on one end just big enough to place my return pump and heater.

Caclium,

I am not sure yet whether I want to just fork out the cash for a calcium reactor or use the two part stuff. I think I may start with the two part stuff and see how that goes.

I hope that makes sense to everyone. Please, any input will be greatly appretiated as this will be my first attempt with clams and acros and such.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[mbbuna]

its best to have a well established tank (9 months to a year) before you add any clams

 

[Don Berry]

I agree with the post above, and would also suggest going to an XM 10K instead of the 6500K bulb. The XM 10K's have great PAR and will not be as yellow as the 6500K. You will have a hard time with color with just 2 55w PC's for actinics.

 

[wormdog99]

I agree with waiting to put clams into it. They won't be introduced for quite some time. I will be using some of my live rock from my other tanks and seeding with some sand and chaeto from them as well. As far as the lighting goes....you think a 10k MH and 4x55w actinics?

Thans,
Matt

 

[mbbuna]

yes that would be good

 

[wormdog99]

on a little side note, does anyone have any links or suggestions for some good reading on clams?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[mbbuna]

go check out WWW.Clamsdirect.com

 

[organism]

a 40g breeder might be too short to actually view the clams, they're great for breeding, but not very nice as actual display tanks since they're only 12" tall, and most stands don't put them high enough for visibility. why not go with a deeper tank and 250w halides?

 

[wormdog99]

4og breeders are 36lx18dx16h and i'm going to build a stand for it that is about 40" tall. The hood is going to be fastened to the wall so it is high enough above the tank you can look at the clams from the top as well.

As for the light. I may end up going with a 250w mh, but i suggested this lighting set up because I already have ballasts and connections for them.

matt

 

[wormdog99]

Updated lighting plan:

(1) 250w MH 10k ushio
(4) 55w pc Actinics

matt

 

[mbbuna]

that will rock!!!

 

[wormdog99]

what do you think about using a two part calcium supplement compared to a calcium reactor? I know calcium reactors make it much easier once you get them tuned but....will the two part dosing be as beneficial as the calcium reactor?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[mbbuna]

they will both do the same thing.in the long run,a 2 part will cost you more,but for a 40g you will have to take care (with a 2 part)to do your dosing every day so that you keep everything as stable as you can. you don't need a Ca reactor but IMO if its set up right it makes life easer.if you test all the time and don't mind mixing and dosing every day you can do just fine with 2 part

 

[rottface4]

A freind of my is doing a 40 breeder clam based tank. He would be glad to answer any questions for you. Check it out at Temple of Clams

 

[wormdog99]

question on light color temp. Your friend uses 6,500k MH bulb and I swear I have read some where that that is the best color temp for clams, has anyone else heard or read that?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I used a 6.5k on clams they do well with itt! the problem is -- they do not look as good under it as the do under 10k, 15k or 20k . In most people opinion. You have to deside what color you like. I hope this helps !!
Please read everythng you can on this, I have kept clams in a new tank- the main thing is to keep water quailty very stable. some say they are, then with experiance, they learn maybe they are not.
This is why it is best to gain experiance! of course, I would not have gained any- if I didn't try stuff and read alot

 

[mbbuna]

6500k to 10k is the best for the clams health.the higher k bulbs are out of the range of what the clam has adapted to over thousands/millions of years

 

[rottface4]

It is true that 6500k is good for clams, however I use a 10000K bulb in my 20L and my clams are doing fine. My friend use to use a 10000K and is actually thinking about switching back because he likes the color better. It also depends some on what type of clams you want to house in you tank. The more light demanding clams like maxima and crocea need the more intense light put out by a 10K or 6.5K bulb. I would avoid 20K (alougth my crocea was doing fine under a 20K) and especially 14K bulbs if you want these clams. Although some have done these clams under these kelvin ratings, the clams aren't getting the intensity they deserve and since you are dedicating this tank to clams, it would only make sense to have the best setup for the clams.