Can I keep a Derasa or not with my setup?

[trilinearmipmap]

I have a 120 gallon reef with 8 x 54 Watt T5 Tek-lights.

As far as calcium I have a kalk auto-topoff and calcium level runs around 380.

I also have 2 coral banded shrimp in the tank and a bunch of hitchiker crabs that I can't get rid of.

Can I keep a Derasa clam on my sandbed? I don't want to keep it high up on the rocks because these clams look much better looking down on them.

Will my calcium be adequate?

Will the crabs/shrimp attack the clam?

Also re: the pyramidal snails problem. Any way to screen for or eliminate these snails before introducing a clam to the tank?

 

[Mariner]

I think a derasa on your sandbed will be fine. I've got one in my 75g under just 240 watts of fluoresent lighting -- it's doing very well and growing quickly.
I think your calcium is probably as low as you'll want it to go. With the addition of a clam, you'll find that demand for calcium will increase dramatically. I drip Kalk, but after adding a derasa, I found that additional supplementation was needed.
I don't think your crabs/shrimp will be an issue.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[coastal]

watch out for those hitchiker crabs they do grow and get hungrey

 

[drouner]

I have had mine since 2000 and was orginally kept under 2 55watt PC's. Now I still have the PC but use a 175 MH as well.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

Thanks for the replies, it looks like I should just go for it!

 

[jda]

You might consider getting you calcium up to 420-440 or so. If the drip keeps it at 380, then just use some calcium chloride (turbo calcium) to get it up. The drip should keep it there.

Also, the clam will start using calcium and the amount of kalk in the drip might need to be increased.

Monitor your alk too. Clams can use a lot of carbon. I keep mine from 9-10.

 

[Peabody]

Agreed about the CA. Be sure to check and adjust ALK before buying a clam. ALK is just as important, if not more so for clam well-being. DKH of 11-12 is a good range.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

Thanks. I am dripping kalk and was slacking off on the supplementing 2-part, but will pay more attention to it.

Another question about getting my first clam. The "Reef Invertebrates" book says to place the clam on top of a flat rock on/under the sandbed, to protect the undersurface of the clam from predators. Are people doing this, and what are you using for a "flat rock"?

 

[jda]

I do this will all of my croceas and maximas. Most of the time they attach, sometimes they don't. I just get a flat piece of live/base rock and bury it in the sand about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. The clam will dig down and find it.

Deresa most likely will not attach to anything.