calling all clam professionals

[DMK]

would like advice from EXPERIENCED clam keepers if i am ready for my first clam. tank is a 3.5 month old open top 92 corner. all parameters on point, including Ca(420-460). coralline algae is spreding slowly onto glass and overflow box. lighting consists of 2X250W AB HQI 10K run off of a PFO dual HQI ballast w/ 2X95W URI actinic VHO's run off of an Ice-Cap 430. tank will be an SPS/LPS dominated tank, besides Zoos, w/ a few clams, no more than 7 fish and small -medium size cleanup crew consisting of turbos, ceriths, 1 fighting conch, 6 scarlets and 4 emerald crabs. i also have a serpent star and a blood shrimp. fish i have now are 1 Perc and 1 pink and blue spotted goby. right now i have about 10 corals, including 2 Montiporas, 1 Candycane, 1 Hammer, 1 Torch, 1 Favia and 2 Zo colnies and about 3-4 Zo frags. everything doing great. have been feeding frozen Bioplankton for about 2 months now 3 times/week. am i ready for a clam or not yet.

 

[johnrags1234]

I would say yes, even though your tnk isnt very mature at 3 months old. Your set up is adequete, so Id say g ahead, as long as your algae bloom is over and you have your maintenence down pat.

Might want to start off with an aquacultured one over 3", they tend to do better.

 

[Leviathan]

I mostly agree with johnrags1234.

However if you could wait a couple more months to assure your systems stability, that would be even better.

Other than that, your light is sufficent, and the inhabitants list seem compatible with a clam.

 

[DMK]

thanks guys

 

[Nick17]

I'd loose the emeralds and add maybe some hermits or something.. emeralds are supposed to be bad towards clams..


HTH

-Nick

 

[ADS]

I 2nd ditching the emerald crabs-they will be a problem as they grow. I have had small ones(<1 1/2") with clams.
Are your other parameters ok? skimming?Source of CA/Mg/Alk?
Do you plan on feeding with live phytoplankton?
6 month or older system is a general rule but some cycle faster than others depending on the type of biologic filtration.
Adam

 

[DMK]

i think getting rid of the emeralds will be impossible. i have over 150Lb of very porous LR, lots of nicks and crannies and caves. usually if i get real close to take, they disappear. i don't know how i would get them and i'm no way messing w/ my rock to get them. also my parameters are good. Ca over 400, Mg @1200 and Alk @ 12dkh. i use a Euroreef skimmer which skims 500GPH and my Iwaki return is throttled down to about700GPH. i've been feeding Bioplankton 3X/week for about 2 months.
*** does anyone keep emeralds w/ clams?***

 

[Leviathan]

*** does anyone keep emeralds w/ clams?***

I USED to have 2 large emeralds in my 75 gallon with a Squamosa and Maxima. They are no longer in the system because they became turbo/astreas killers, and started munching on SPS.

I didnt however see them ever near the clams.

 

[DMK]

how did u guys get rid of the emeralds?

 

[Nick17]

I believe you can buy a trap or you can put a container of some sort and put some food in there and just watch until they go in and get it.. there is some more ways that I know SOMEONE knows.. but this is all I know about getting rid of emeralds.. (or get a square container with a top, cut a hole in the lid and put some food in there and once they go in, I think they can't get out.. it's been a while since i've read up on trapping emeralds..

Give it a try..

HTH

-Nick

 

[acroporas]

*** does anyone keep emeralds w/ clams?***

Emeralds are my favorite algae eaters. 15 in a 75. No problems with the clam, actually they(along with the turbos) refuse to eat the algae growing on it's shell.

 

[DMK]

acroporas do u have any problems w/ the emeralds eating polyps on your SPS? i like the crabs and if i could get away w/ keeping them w/ SPS and clams i will.

 

[a.p.17]

i have kept emerald crabs with my clams and never have had any problems. my crabs are small but i also have 26 clams in my tank and have not seen the crabs bothering them at all.

 

[acroporas]

acroporas do u have any problems w/ the emeralds eating polyps on your SPS? i like the crabs and if i could get away w/ keeping them w/ SPS and clams i will.

Never bothered sps. They did however eat gooseneck barnicles like candy and tore a basket star to pieces.