A Few Questions...

[NFed16]

I have been researching tridacnid clams for a while, but many of the recources including the links at the top of the page are disabled, so I hope I could get some answers here.

I know that clams begin to use mainly photosynthesis after they reach a certain size. What is that size?

I plan to feed my clams phyto-plankton but I wondered how often to feed it and if target feeding or tank dosing was a better method.

Most of the clams I see at the LFS are tank raised from ORA but they are very small, about 1-2" max. How hard are these clams to keep alive with the proper feeding?

I have seen that some people place clams on shells or rocks rather than on the sand. Why? What are the pros and cons of either placement?

I plan to have either 2X175 14k MH or 2X250 14k MH, with VHO actinics.

Thanks,
Nate

 

[Peabody]

First, congrats for doing the research first and making sure you can properly care for one...most folks don't it seems! They see a pretty clam at the LFS and buy it!

In a 30 gallon tank, either of those lighting setups would be perfect! I have 2 175 10k Ushios on my 29, and the clams love it!

The general rule of thumb is 3" is when they primarily go photo.

Many people prefer to put the clams on a flat rock or a shell rather than the sand because the clams love to attach themselves....they feel "secure".

Live phyto is best, get yourself a bottle of DTs and you're good to go. Under 3" most people either take the clams out and "bowl feed" them for a little while, or they make a feeding bell out of a 2 liter soda bottle. It's quite simple. Squirting phyto like target feeding is bad, as they can actually choke.

Best of luck!!

 

[NFed16]

Thanks for the info. Could you elaborate on the feeding bell thing? If the clam is over 3" in size, how often should I feed phytoplankton if I were to simply dose the entire tank?