Cats got my clams tongue

[macyjo]

I just bought my 1st clam.....He had been at the LFS for about 2 months and has great photo reaction time--he seemed VERY healthy. I think he had been at the LFS for so long --because he isnt extremly colorful...I thought...I would rather have a healthy clam than a total beauty.

I am sure he has been taken care of--he was under good lighting and was being feed DTs.

Ok so I got him home and drip acclimated him for 4 hrs..he was open and seemed very happy --I feed him DT's and he seemed great....

Today is the 3rd day and he will not open.

I have had my tank up and running for almost 3 years now..I have taken my time in getting livestock because I don't want to kill anything.

My water parameters
rates and rites=0
ammonia=0
Temp a constant 81.5
ph 8.3
alk 9-10
4-5" DBS
200lbs LR

I have a 75 gal with 40 gal sump
2X400 MH 20K radiums
2X110 VHO


Maybe I am just not being patent enough.

I picked him up and he is shut tight and feels heavy--so I don't think he is dead...yet

Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[AttackDonut]

Too much light?

Too much light?

Perhaps it's light shock, when I went from 135watts to 220 watts, mine did the same thing.

I moved him to a shadier spot and he opened up again.

 

[clamster]

My 4'' maxima didn't really shut tight under the intense light; but it took me like 5 or 6 days to finally get him up to his current position: about 5''-6'' directly under a 175W, 13kk halide.

Every 3 or so days, I moved him more and more up in elevation and closer to underneath the halide lamp.

But I think my maxima is still straining for MORE light under that 175W -- so I'm about to shell out more money for a DIY 250W. Yet more charges to my credit card

The 9'' derasa is wide open only when the halide comes on and closes when it comes off.

BTW, those are great water params.
Wish I have a 5'' DSB in the display tank

 

[Wilafur]

seems like light shock to me as well. also, clams do best with some nitrates in the water.

 

[macyjo]

ok--cool I will try and shade him and move him out a little at a time--or only have the lights on for a shorter duration--work our way up.

Sorry I could not get back to this sooner--Thanks so much for the advice!!!!

 

[Fishguru]

thought it ws nitrogen that they liked Guru

 

[clamster]

my understanding is that trace amounts of NO3 is needed by clams for their symbiotic algae. They absorb the nitrogen and release oxygen.
Where is that link to to life, universe and everything about clams?
I forgot that excess oxygen build-up inside the clam is not good. Anyone got details. I need a refresher.