can i keep a clam?

[awesomericcordia77]

hey,im wondering if i can keep a clam in my 55 gallon with 260 watts of pc?if so what kind?if so how big?also if i get one where should i place it?

i know lighting isnt the only need for the clam.my levels and calcium is fine.also should i feed it DT's phytoplankton?

 

[Peabody]

That's not enough light for Maxima or crocea clams.

That's marginal for derasa and squamosa clams. It can be done, but if it was me, I wouldn't do it. They would have to go on the sand, and the light down there would be marginal at best.

SOrry to be a downer. If you're interested in clams, check otu the book Giant Clams by Daniel Knop.

 

[H^2 Salt]

the only clam i would consider would be a Dersa.....but even that would be risky in your tank......and with living things i dont like to take risks.....but at one point or another we have all taken and risk in our tanks.....for better or worse:rolleye1:

 

[awesomericcordia77]

what about if i upgraded to 440 watt vho's????then could i keep a clam?

 

[Peabody]

Again, only a derasa, and maybe a squamosa. Still a no-go for maximas or croceas. In most cases they demand the PAR of a MH bulb for long term survival

 

[xxticy007]

I have a similar question. I have a tank that I am wanting to add a maximas to and I just got a new light that has 150w HQI MH and 2x65w PC. Would this be sufficient?

 

[Peabody]

You bet. Just put him right smack under that MH bulb. He'll dig it!

 

[firechild]

I wouldn't quite go that far. I still have a few maximas that are recovering from a few months under 150W HQI. They lost almost all colour and are only now, after 4 months under 400W, beginning to regain some of their blue and green colours.

 

[xxticy007]

I am wondering if it is possible to upgrade the MH to a more powerful bulb. I have a Coralife Pro light and I am not sure if this is possible or not. If it is any suggestions what type of bulb to upgrade the MH to?

 

[Peabody]

Interesting, Firechild. I would have thought a maxima up in the rockwork would be fine under a 150w.

xxtick007: You can't chance to a higher wattage, but you can get a bulb with better PAR and a different color spectrum. What kidn of bulb is it?

 

[xxticy007]

It is a 150W Aqualight 10,000k HQI Double Ended Metal Halide Lamp.
What would be the next step up from there?

 

[Scuba Dog]

I never had a problem with maximas and some croceas up in the rockwork under 175 halides...but have swaped over to 250DEs ince august also...but the croceas and maximas were only under the 175s for 9 months...

 

[xxticy007]

Anyone have a clue on my ability to upgrade my MH to a better one w/ the light and ballast I am using?

 

[Scuba Dog]

I would look around at the 10k lamps......there has been a sanjay study on the par values on some of those lamps...I think its in the equipment forum....