best clam for beginner
- Thread starter mnmsea
- Start date
the easiest would be derasa and the hardest maxima. strong light is really all you need. clams will take dissolved nutrients right from the water.
as for placement it really doesnt matter as long as you light is strong enough to reach the clam where ever you place it. all the species of clams we keep are most commonly found right up on the reef. some species can be found on the sand but only in sheltered areas
as for placement it really doesnt matter as long as you light is strong enough to reach the clam where ever you place it. all the species of clams we keep are most commonly found right up on the reef. some species can be found on the sand but only in sheltered areas
Tennyson
Active member
I read that they need excellent water quality (which can be done with a skimmer), and they need calcium to grow, adn good lighting. But the easiest clam to take care of, and probably the most boring colored clam is the cleaner clam, which can be bought at the grocery store for very little $
Tennyson
Active member
Yes, those are the same kind. They aren't very attractive and spend most of their time under the sand, sticking their mouth things out to suck food from the water. I heard that they eat nitrates, along with other clams, and are very inexpensive and can be bought off the shelves at grocery stores for very little money. They may seem dead in the stores, but when you put them in a cup of saltwater, they are revived, then they spit crud into the cup, then you can put them in the tank.
Heres a link to a picture of them, even though you probably know what they look like:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Foto4/SteamerClams1.jpg
Anyway, are Crocea clams generally easy to take care of? Because those are the only ones that I see in stores. I read that they need calcium in the water to grow, how do I know if I need calcium in the water, are there test kits?
Heres a link to a picture of them, even though you probably know what they look like:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Foto4/SteamerClams1.jpg
Anyway, are Crocea clams generally easy to take care of? Because those are the only ones that I see in stores. I read that they need calcium in the water to grow, how do I know if I need calcium in the water, are there test kits?
I have peppermint and peppermints in my tank with several clams and no issues at all.
For me, Squamosa and Maximas have done the best. I only got my first dersea recently so I can't speak for that. Croceas are the most light demanding and I like to keep my clams on the sandbed which is why I don't have any. I had a couple a while ago but they didn't do as well as Squammies and Maximas for me.
They are filter feeders and will 'choke' on anything bigger than phytoplankton. Cyclopeeze, mysis, brine etc will all be too big. They are primarily photosynthetic. I dose the tank twice a week with DT's but haven't seen much improvement in terms of the clams.
For me, Squamosa and Maximas have done the best. I only got my first dersea recently so I can't speak for that. Croceas are the most light demanding and I like to keep my clams on the sandbed which is why I don't have any. I had a couple a while ago but they didn't do as well as Squammies and Maximas for me.
They are filter feeders and will 'choke' on anything bigger than phytoplankton. Cyclopeeze, mysis, brine etc will all be too big. They are primarily photosynthetic. I dose the tank twice a week with DT's but haven't seen much improvement in terms of the clams.
i got a beautiful maxima today - a nice blue. I have it on the rocks, but not too high. my mh are 10,000k and the lights it was under were 20,000k. so I have the mH off for today and will turn them on for a shorter time tomorrow and see how she does. I didn't get phytoplankton to feed. Seems like mixed feelings out there on feeding extra...hmmm
I know two guys in my club that keep them under T5's. They're doing OK but aren't growing as fast as others. They're both Croceas that are on the sandbed in 90g tanks.
As for the calcium reactor, it depends on your system. You can do a reactor or DIY two part, whichever is easier for you to maintain your levels.
For equipment you will need whatever it takes to maintain stable parameters, medium flow, strong lighting and good husbandry. It will vary depending on how your system is setup and how you maintain it.
As for the calcium reactor, it depends on your system. You can do a reactor or DIY two part, whichever is easier for you to maintain your levels.
For equipment you will need whatever it takes to maintain stable parameters, medium flow, strong lighting and good husbandry. It will vary depending on how your system is setup and how you maintain it.
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