Acclimating clams

[Smallpolypstony]

I am getting 2 clams tomorrow and would like to know the best way to acclimate them as far as water exchange/lighting.

Clams will be 3-4" Dersa and Maxima.

Set up is:

120 RR
3 maxi 1200 on Redsea wavemaster pro.
2 3/4 seaswirls
150 gallon rubbermaid sump with large ecosystem refugium.
dolphin ampmaster main pump.
Aqua c ev180 off sump via Iwaki 30
4x110 watt vho with 2 250watt 12k halide.
Sump in basement pumped upstairs.

Tank test clean. A little nitrate.

 

[toptank]

There are many ways to acclimate your clams. Some use the drip method and other just put some of there tank water in with the bag water and increase the amount of water over a 30 minutes or longer time. Most important is make sure lights are out in your tank. Remember if your clam is being shipped it has been in the dark for many hours. Don't want to stress it anymore than the shipping did. If you have actinic VHOs or PC turn them on hours later than slowly increase your lighting period over the next few days. I always like to start my clams out on the substrate and over the next few weeks start to raise him up higher if you are going to place in the rock work. If the shipper or dealer had less lighting than you, then you might even want to place a shield on top of your tank over where the clam is. A piece of plastic frosted with saltwater works well. That will shield the clam from your intense lighting.

The best thing is TAKE YOUR TIME!

Good luck with your new clams.

Barry

 

[MiNdErAsR]

In addition to Barry's suggestions, I like to measure the parameters of the water the clam was shipped in, comparing to your tank water. Use this as a guideline to acclimation. The further apart the parameters, the longer the acclimation period.

HTH

 

[Smallpolypstony]

Thanks