Best Methods for delivering Phyto?

[Reefdude5]

Hey everybody, i'm a recently new clam keeper. I have a 5" squamosa and a 3" maxima. Due to me being gone recently, neither clams have been getting phyto for awhile. The maxima is showing some tissue recesion, and i'd like to know your all techniques for delivering phyto. I've heard taking a soda bottle, cutting out the bottom, putting it over clam, and injecting phyto into the top of the bottle. I'm sure there are better ones, thanks!

 

[pecan2phat]

Since my clams are over 3" like yours are, I do not target feed them any longer. I just feed the tank twice a week, which the zoanthids & some SPS corals also benefit from.

 

[Reefdude5]

He seems more like 2 1/2" when i look at him more. I haven't actually measured him. he's been in there a month. I just thought i could help the tissue recession by feeding him well. Nothings nippin on him. There is a tounge coral that brushes up against him, but he's too strongly attached to move easily. Should i force him off the bottom glass and move him, i'm not really sure how too. I've heard maximas like to be in the LR better than the bottom, but there's no good places to put him where he'd be under the full intensity of the 250watt halides! What to do?

 

[pecan2phat]

If the Maxima is attached to the bottom glass, I would not pry or tear him off. If you need to target feed him, use the cut 2 liter soda bottle method. If and when he detaches (sometimes they will to position themselves better) then place a small piece of LR rubble near his byssal opening & he will attach to the piece making for easy relocation. If you can find a small flat piece of LR with a slight cradle indentation, even better for him to sit on and attach to.
For now, I would just leave him if he is firmly attached unless you don't think he is getting enough light from your 250's ( depth wise) and target feed him.

 

[Reefdude5]

thanks a lot, that makes sense. yeah when he loosens i really want to move him away from the tounge coral, since his mantle's retracting more on the side brushing against the tounge coral. Any more ideas anyone?

 

[iCam]

Best Methods for delivering Phyto?

If you have an unattached clam....

 

[Reefdude5]

yeah, i tried that with a previous maxima, and he died, so i'm trying not to cause any undue stress to them, plus he's attached, lol. But with an attached clam, would the 2 liter bottle trick work, i bought one today to try.

 

[jda]

IME - It is less stress if they are attached to a rock and you take the rock over to the bowl. If they are small enough (less than 3") you can leave them in the bowl all the time. Try not to let them get unsubmerged. My babies got to where they did not even close up when I lived the bowl out.

 

[Reefdude5]

yeah, i'm bought a 2 liter bottle today and gonna see how that goes...

 

[blulegend]

Whenever I took my clam out to feed in a container, I always kept the clam submerged by putting the container into the tank first, then the clam into the container, and then the whole thing comes out.

 

[Reefdude5]

it just seems like picking them up everyday or 3 times a week is more stressful than need be

 

[jay24k]

If your clam is not looking good from just not getting phyto, I think you have another problem imo. I don't dose phyto at all and my clams have done great for the last few months. New crocea that I've had for about a month or two is doing really great too. Phyto I'm sure will help, but isn't necessary imo.