Am I ready for a crocea?

[ctopal]

I bought a 3.5" squamosa as my first clam about a month ago. It's very nice, but I really wanted a crocea but read that those were harder to keep. The squamosa seems happy, it's settled, always open and has all ready grown new shutes and edges. Should I wait longer or am I "experienced" enought to get a crocea?

I test calcium weekly to bi weekly, always around 425. This is a 90 gallon with 2- 150 watt MH and 2 10,000k actinics. I think I said that right, it's a coralife lighting package, I think it should be plenty for the clam.

Thanks!

 

[Kirklan]

I would only keep the crocea if it is at the very top of your rock work no farther than 8-10" from the water surface. Also, how high is the MH from the surface.

 

[jasper24]

As long as your water parameters are good and stable and you place it towards the top of the tank you should be fine.

 

[Barry N.]

I really wanted a crocea but read that those were harder to keep

IME, this is what I would say is the easist to hardest to keep.

1. Hippopus
2. Derasa
3. gigas
4. Squamosa
5. Crocea
6. Maxima ( The hardest to keep IME and IMO )

Hope this helps.

 

[sihaya]

This entirely anecdotal, but I have a crocea who has survived all my mishaps and even managed to grow about 1/3 of an inch since I got it about 3 months ago. So I don't think they're always that difficult. But then again, I have him up on rocks directly under a 250watt/14k DE MH. So if it's primary a light thing... maybe that's why he's doing well.

 

[ctopal]

My light hangs a good foot above the water surface. And my rockwork isn't all that high in most spots. All in all, it would probably be about a foot and half from the light. I'm thinking of rigging a pulley system for the light so that it can sit directly above the aquarium, but be able to move as needed for maintenance and feeding. Does everyone agree that I should get the light closer before even thinking of the crocea?

Thanks for the responses.

 

[coralfarmer84]

I have a t. crocea on the sandbed of my tank, and its 30inches deep. Granted my lights are a lil more powerful 250w HQI's. Its been there for 2 months now and its not overextending, it seems to like it there, everytime i put in on the rocks it would just knock itself off. But i do agree clams should be higher up if possible. just my $.02 cents