Can I clam too?

[prodman]

I would like a clam idealy a maxima. I have a 65g tank thats 24" tall with 380w VHO my tank was just moved but has been up and running for 6mo now. I mantain good water with water changes and heavy protien skimming,80lbslr. And I wanted to know if I need a calcium reactor.Thanks-Paul

 

[Scuba Dog]

I would recmend metal halides to keep maxima clams although I have been reading more sucess stories with people using t5's latly, do you need a Ca Rx? No you dont need one par say but it makes life easier on you, but you do need to keep thre ph stalbe, Ca over 400ppm and alk around 9.5 dhk give or take some, I just added a calcium Rx a DIY model i picked up works great now I dont have to dose daily for ca anymore its way nice.....

 

[Peabody]

A agree. Try a squamosa or Derasa if you're interested in clams. Reading Daniel Knop's "Giant Clams" is a good start too

 

[kayl]

can I clam as well? *sorry if this is a hijack*
I have a 29g tank, 18" tall, haven't gotten lights yet. Looking @ 130 watts PC, or maybe 4x24 T-5, can't really go MH, b/c Heat is an issue...

 

[Peabody]

PCs would be a no-go except for a lower light species like Hippopus.

If you do T5s you would be safe with a derasa or squamosa....and maybe, just maybe a maxima up close to the lights.

But, why not MH? Many of us have MH on 29s with no chliller...in fact I have 2 175s and a 55w actinic on mine with no chiller, and no fans

 

[kayl]

I don't have ac...

 

[Peabody]

Even T5s and PCs put out quite a bit of heat...take this to consideration..... I had 2 65s over a 15 gallon nano last year which took my tank temp up to 83. I switched to a 175 w MH pendant and my tank temp went DOWN to 79. Yep...it put out less heat than my PCs!

 

[kayl]

ok- question- if I got a 175 watt MH fixture, would I be able to find 14k bulbs or something that will be a little bluer? B/c all i have right now is a strip light, and I could try and find an actinic light for that, but it wouldn't be much...
this lighting stuff is the most confusing part of reefing...

 

[Peabody]

Yep, there are 175s in 10, 12, 14, and 20K (Look at the ocmparison pics in the 250w thread pinned to the top of the lighting forum for ideas)