75g Lurking danger and Leafy Seadragons

[vlangel]

 

[Uncle99]

This morning I broke down and bought a Hanna URL phosphate checker and a new Salifert nitrate test kit. I am cheap so this was tough for me but I really don't trust the results I am getting on my phosphate tests and multiple folks that I trust recommended the Hanna checker. The test kits come Friday!

Great investment.

Phosphate produces such a faint blue, it’s hard by eye (or at least with my eyes) to make a decision on which colour matches best. The Hanna at least removes problem for me. If your lower than .15ppm, the vial looks clear to me.

I’ve run .3ppm for years with no issues, no pest algae’s so I’m not overly convinced that lowering it is going to result in some positive change in the environment.

I spent tons of money for 6 months after using the Seachem test which always seemed to give me .25ppm. After using Hanna, I seen my first new number .13ppm.

From there it increased very slowly to about .3ppm and stayed there week over week, so for years now, I just let it stay where it wanted.

 

[Uncle99]

A happy clam. A testament to great water chemistry IMM.
Very nice display. Like a piece of living artwork.
Some “brown” but it will leave. They all go in time.

 

[vlangel]

A happy clam. A testament to great water chemistry IMM.
Very nice display. Like a piece of living artwork.
Some “brown” but it will leave. They all go in time.

Thanks Uncle99, you are very kind. I am pleased with how my display is developing with the coral and the negative space. Things are getting better with the water chemistry too. My few sps have inspired me to try to keep my alk more stable but I am sure that all the coral will appreciate that.

My clam had a rough first week as I tried to find a spot high and near enough the light that was stable. Finally I found that old shell and if the clam continues to look good, I will use coral putty to add more reinforcement to the make shift cradle and the rockwork. I am adding phyto near the clam also because it is pretty small.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks Uncle99, you are very kind. I am pleased with how my display is developing with the coral and the negative space. Things are getting better with the water chemistry too. My few sps have inspired me to try to keep my alk more stable but I am sure that all the coral will appreciate that.

My clam had a rough first week as I tried to find a spot high and near enough the light that was stable. Finally I found that old shell and if the clam continues to look good, I will use coral putty to add more reinforcement to the make shift cradle and the rockwork. I am adding phyto near the clam also because it is pretty small.

Phyto is fine and everyone benefits from that, especially those micro guys who are the true CUC.
I think that cradle is perfect. I do the same as you, “vaulted” for higher intensity without making existing corals unhappy.

He should drop a thread in time to that shell. With the thread, he can twist himself to take the best advantage of available light versus flow. When attached to a shell (which in turn is attached to rockwork) if he ever has to be moved, the thread stays intact, any damage there can be fatal.

Once they attach to rockwork, no way to move without some damage, but possible.

 

[vlangel]

Phyto is fine and everyone benefits from that, especially those micro guys who are the true CUC.
I think that cradle is perfect. I do the same as you, “vaulted” for higher intensity without making existing corals unhappy.

He should drop a thread in time to that shell. With the thread, he can twist himself to take the best advantage of available light versus flow. When attached to a shell (which in turn is attached to rockwork) if he ever has to be moved, the thread stays intact, any damage there can be fatal.

Once they attach to rockwork, no way to move without some damage, but possible.




View attachment 32418294

I had a crocea years ago and I had it cradled in a cup shaped rock that it was attached to. Croceas need high intensity light too so I also had it up high in the rockwork. Back in those days I had a Coralife high output T5 quad. You didn't get the attractive shimmer but it sure could grow coral and that Crocea grew from just under 2" to about 6". I ended up giving it away (cradle and all) when I got seahorses but I have missed having a clam. This clam is prettier than my crocea but its barely 1 and a half inches and I know they are trickier the smaller they are. I really need to make sure that my nutrients don't bottom out but also are under control. The crocea did grow pretty fast once it got acclimated so if I manage to keep this clam healthy in the next year it will probably be fine. Thanks for the tips!
Is that your clam in the pic? It's a beauty!

 

[griss]

I had a crocea years ago and I had it cradled in a cup shaped rock that it was attached to. Croceas need high intensity light too so I also had it up high in the rockwork. Back in those days I had a Coralife high output T5 quad. You didn't get the attractive shimmer but it sure could grow coral and that Crocea grew from just under 2" to about 6". I ended up giving it away (cradle and all) when I got seahorses but I have missed having a clam. This clam is prettier than my crocea but its barely 1 and a half inches and I know they are trickier the smaller they are. I really need to make sure that my nutrients don't bottom out but also are under control. The crocea did grow pretty fast once it got acclimated so if I manage to keep this clam healthy in the next year it will probably be fine. Thanks for the tips!
Is that your clam in the pic? It's a beauty!

Love Tridacna and can’t wait to add some myself. After Acros they’re my favorite reef inhabitants.

 

[vlangel]

Love Tridacna and can’t wait to add some myself. After Acros they’re my favorite reef inhabitants.

I will be anxious to see a clam in your tank. Do you have a favorite of the tridacna's? I still don't know a lot about them except croceas are smaller and need high light. This Maxima caught my eye just because it was so pretty.

 

[griss]

I will be anxious to see a clam in your tank. Do you have a favorite of the tridacna's? I still don't know a lot about them except croceas are smaller and need high light. This Maxima caught my eye just because it was so pretty.

I like them all but tend to stay with Maxima and Crocea since they tend to be smaller. I’ve had all species at some point except for Hippopus.

 

[Uncle99]

I had a crocea years ago and I had it cradled in a cup shaped rock that it was attached to. Croceas need high intensity light too so I also had it up high in the rockwork. Back in those days I had a Coralife high output T5 quad. You didn't get the attractive shimmer but it sure could grow coral and that Crocea grew from just under 2" to about 6". I ended up giving it away (cradle and all) when I got seahorses but I have missed having a clam. This clam is prettier than my crocea but its barely 1 and a half inches and I know they are trickier the smaller they are. I really need to make sure that my nutrients don't bottom out but also are under control. The crocea did grow pretty fast once it got acclimated so if I manage to keep this clam healthy in the next year it will probably be fine. Thanks for the tips!
Is that your clam in the pic? It's a beauty!

Yup, that’s one of 4. Crocea, Maxi, Dersa and Squamossa.
I’ve heard about challenges with smaller clams. Maybe, maybe not.
Gone are the days of $100 6”-12” specimens. Severe shrinkflation I guess.
Everything know is so small…..with a big price tag.

 

[griss]

Yup, that’s one of 4. Crocea, Maxi, Dersa and Squamossa.
I’ve heard about challenges with smaller clams. Maybe, maybe not.
Gone are the days of $100 6”-12” specimens. Severe shrinkflation I guess.
Everything know is so small…..with a big price tag.

Agreed. My first T. maxima around 1991 was about 6” and, if memory serves, cost me about $25-30.

 

[vlangel]

I like them all but tend to stay with Maxima and Crocea since they tend to be smaller. I’ve had all species at some point except for Hippopus.l

It sounds like you have had a fair amount of experience with clams.
I actually had bought a Hippopus from Live Aquaria about 5 yrs ago and it died in less than 2 weeks. It looked fine and then one morning it was gone. I never knew what happened unless it was one of those boring snails but I didn't see anything on it. That was after I had had good success with the crocea but it made me a little gun shy to try a clam again. Like you and @Uncle99 were discussing, they are not cheap anymore. I am very excited about this Maxima however and am glad that I took a chance on it.

 

[vlangel]

Agreed. My first T. maxima around 1991 was about 6” and, if memory serves, cost me about $25-30.

Even 15 yrs ago or so when I bought my 2" crocea, I think I spent $80. It was a plain blue clam, no fancy markings on its mantle.
Then about 5 yrs ago I spent $80 on a 3" Hippopus and it was very very plain, with a pale greenish mantle.
When I saw the beautiful colors of the maximas at our local coral show, I thought I got a bargain at $125. Maybe I got ripped off but I still really love this maxima. I liked how healthy it looked; how it readily reacted to passing my hand over it and it closing and also that it had healthy growth rings on its shell just under the mantle.

 

[Uncle99]

Even 15 yrs ago or so when I bought my 2" crocea, I think I spent $80. It was a plain blue clam, no fancy markings on its mantle.
Then about 5 yrs ago I spent $80 on a 3" Hippopus and it was very very plain, with a pale greenish mantle.
When I saw the beautiful colors of the maximas at our local coral show, I thought I got a bargain at $125. Maybe I got ripped off but I still really love this maxima. I liked how healthy it looked; how it readily reacted to passing my hand over it and it closing and also that it had healthy growth rings on its shell just under the mantle.

I’m thinking that’s a good today’s price for maxi at $125. Definitely not ripoff.
In my area, you’re looking at $200-300, and not always the best colours.

 

[griss]

Even 15 yrs ago or so when I bought my 2" crocea, I think I spent $80. It was a plain blue clam, no fancy markings on its mantle.
Then about 5 yrs ago I spent $80 on a 3" Hippopus and it was very very plain, with a pale greenish mantle.
When I saw the beautiful colors of the maximas at our local coral show, I thought I got a bargain at $125. Maybe I got ripped off but I still really love this maxima. I liked how healthy it looked; how it readily reacted to passing my hand over it and it closing and also that it had healthy growth rings on its shell just under the mantle.

Maybe I missed it but how big is the clam? I agree with @Uncle99 it may be a decent price considering you didn’t have to pay shipping. Yes, you probably could have gotten cheaper online, but then paid shipping and that would level out the price.

 

[vlangel]

I’m thinking that’s a good today’s price for maxi at $125. Definitely not ripoff.
In my area, you’re looking at $200-300, and not always the best colours.

Maybe I missed it but how big is the clam? I agree with @Uncle99 it may be a decent price considering you didn’t have to pay shipping. Yes, you probably could have gotten cheaper online, but then paid shipping and that would level out the price.

It's maybe an inch and a half. It's the smallest clam that I have bought and I know they need more nutrients when they are small so I am dosing phyto upstream of it. Of course usually that is not an issue with my tanks, LOL.

 

[vlangel]

Mr vlangel and I were at a concert last night and my test kits were on the door step when we got home. I tested the PO4 with the new Hanna checker and got .65. I was hoping that my Salifert was reading high but actually it was somewhat low. Oh well. I also used the new Salifert NO3 and got 15. I like the nitrate numbers but maybe I need to try some chemipure in the canister to bring down the PO4? I am so afraid of doing something too drastic with PO4 and stripping it however.

 

[Uncle99]

Mr vlangel and I were at a concert last night and my test kits were on the door step when we got home. I tested the PO4 with the new Hanna checker and got .65. I was hoping that my Salifert was reading high but actually it was somewhat low. Oh well. I also used the new Salifert NO3 and got 15. I like the nitrate numbers but maybe I need to try some chemipure in the canister to bring down the PO4? I am so afraid of doing something too drastic with PO4 and stripping it however.

I do trust the Hanna tester. I have run .3-.4ppm for years without issue.
Your tank looks great, healthy so I agree, be real careful in reducing that.
To reduce a .6ppm, GFO’s will be very costly. When I want to drop phosphate, I use an LC product and a tight sock to do the initial pull which is down .1ppm in 24 hours. Repeat every 48 hours to achieve .2ppm. Then I use Fauna Marin 0.04 which reduces down no lower than .05ppm regardless of how long you use.

The best option IMM is to do nothing unless the .6ppm continues to rise.

Your tank looks great. That’s the best test of all!

 

[vlangel]

I do trust the Hanna tester. I have run .3-.4ppm for years without issue.
Your tank looks great, healthy so I agree, be real careful in reducing that.
To reduce a .6ppm, GFO’s will be very costly. When I want to drop phosphate, I use an LC product and a tight sock to do the initial pull which is down .1ppm in 24 hours. Repeat every 48 hours to achieve .2ppm. Then I use Fauna Marin 0.04 which reduces down no lower than .05ppm regardless of how long you use.

The best option IMM is to do nothing unless the .6ppm continues to rise.

Your tank looks great. That’s the best test of all!

I had to look up LC product, LOL. Do you need a protein skimmer to remove the particulate it creates or is an intank filter with floss ok?
I think I will take your advise and not jump right into an LC as it does sound a bit scary in how fast it reduces PO4. I think I will continue to monitor and if it stays stable, just let the tank build its own biodiversity which should eventually correct the sandbed.

Right now I am concentrating on keeping my alkalinity stable and getting my AFR dosage dialed in so my coral can continue to grow.

 

[Uncle99]

I had to look up LC product, LOL. Do you need a protein skimmer to remove the particulate it creates or is an intank filter with floss ok?
I think I will take your advise and not jump right into an LC as it does sound a bit scary in how fast it reduces PO4. I think I will continue to monitor and if it stays stable, just let the tank build its own biodiversity which should eventually correct the sandbed.

Right now I am concentrating on keeping my alkalinity stable and getting my AFR dosage dialed in so my coral can continue to grow.

The skimmer can run normally and will pull some, but the fine filter traps the most. The LC (like brightwell phosphate RX) binds phosphate creating a floculent (cloudy water) which is trapped in a fine filter, for me that’s a sock. The sock collects the floculent and then is removed that way.

I think less change is always better, so I like the idea of doing nothing.