AmI ready for a clam?

[xtrstangx]

Hi all! I think I'm ready for my very own thread

I have a 40g long tank, which is 16" deep. I have 2x175w XM 20K's on it, the bulbs are ~8" from the water. I was told this was gonna be plenty for any SPS/clam, but I wanted to make sure.

I also have an ASM G-1X skimmer coming in soon. They are rated for 150g and I have 60g total volume, so I think it'll be good

Now my problem is that my calcium fluctuates some (I drip kalk usually 24/7, but I sometimes drip too little or too much). As long as my calcium stays between 400-480, will a clam be okay? Or will daily variations of calcium cause stunted growth or even death?

I was thinking of starting with a Deresa and then maybe a Crocea/Maxima (how do you tell those two apart anyhow?).

Thanks for any insight you can give, I know I posted a lot of questions!

 

[mbbuna]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=691965

http://www.clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1426

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

IME, clams are built like bricks. My croceas have gone through my tank cycling, through phosphate troubles (LR cycling), and all kinds of water fluctuations. In the pacific farms where they are raised, they get barrels of ammonia nitrite dumped in the water...to help them grow faster!!! They are calcium whores, but my calcium has dipped below 350 and they dont notice. They dont care about phosphates (in fact, their kidneys store it for algae production in their mantle). I got mine to rid my tank of extra nitrates...which they do very well. I have 4 croceas in my 40B with a single 250wattDE 14,000K pheonix. They love it. All that coloration in their mantle is the reflection of all the spectrums that they dont use...as well as their UV protection. Under the 14,000Ks, my croceas look better than ever.

As for you, I would lower the lights a bit if possible. My croceas vary in depth, but my light is only 6" off the surface and about 2x the output. My 14,000K is also a very good one that has almost as high an output as many 10,000Ks...where as your 20,000K may not.

What bulbs do you use? Some 20,000Ks blow (like XMs), and others rock (radiums and aqualine) with regards to output.

Your water chemistry shouldnt be a problem...but your lighting does have me concerned. You will prolly either have to raise the clams up (no problem for a crocea...they like being on rocks), lower your lights a bit, or get more intense bulbs (unless they are radiums or something). The other way around this would be to get some lower light clams...deresa or squamosa...to see how they do. These can be found in blue as well...although not as intense as maximas and croceas. If you really want the maximas and croceas, get baby ones. At 1-3", they will still depend on spot feeding for nutrition...and this is something you will have to do...but their lighting requirements at this size are much lower than when they hit 4+" and live off light alone.

 

[xtrstangx]

Alright Mr Kornfield. THanks for the good post. I have XM 20K.

I think I am going to try a Deresa for now and if it does well, get a Crocea/Maxima and put it higher up in the rockwork almost under a bulb.

Thanks for your detailed post. I might eventually switch over to XM 10K once I get enough money to get some actinics, but not yet.