clam advice

[TheUltimateNoob]

hey guys,

i have a 29g reef tank with 250w de mh over it. it is all lps and a few sps. i really wanted to get a clam. i know i have the lighting to do it but i don't really know what to get. i would preferably want a very colorful one but also one that is considered "easier" or "hardier". do you guys have any suggestions? i've heard of derasa, crocea, maxima, and squamosa but don't know what differentiates them. all look the same to me. and could you give me some tips on what i should look for when picking one out to make sure it is healthy? thanks a lot guys. looking forward to your responses.

 

[smy168]

Clams....

Clams....

Your lighting is def. good enogh in a 29 gallon to keep allt he clams...let's see, I'm no pro but here's what I think:

Croceas are known to be more demanding on light needs, but I personally love the rounded full look of their mantles.

Maximas seem to be the most popular, they have different varieties of them but some really really cool colors and markings.

Squamosas are pretty cool, kinda like the giant of the clams to me.

Derasas are like the bullet proof clam, very hardy, doesn't mind being in sand and adapts pretty quickly.

Hippopus is boring to me, shells are shaped differently than most clams.

What to look for:
full mantle, in other words no pinching on the mantles, should be extended fully.
size, size determines their feeding needs...I personally say that anything under 3 inches need some type of target feeding (you can do a search on this info)

You're going to need to do some research on this, clams can be difficult to buy if you don't know what you're looking for.

tank conditions: NO IODINE DOSING!, Calcium and Alk needed and water movement (they don't like alot of it) and I personally dose DTs and KoralVitF alternating every 2 days.

 

[CTN1983]

I would recommend getting a derasa or squamosa, since they are some of the easier clams, but they can also grow fairly large (reaching about 15-20 inches in length)...You shouldn't get them unless you plan on getting a larger tank in the future...(something I plan on doing for my two derasas when they grow too large for my 50 gallon)

The smallest clam suitable for your tank would be a crocea, but they are also consider the hardest to keep...(compare to other clams)...I consider them quite hardy though. As long as you keep your water quality high, (stable salinity, high calcium, PH, etc,) they will theive in your tank.

BUT before getting any clam, I would recommend doing some more research.

 

[CeCe803]

Check this link - lots of info and pic:
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reef/clams/tridacna.htm

 

[TheUltimateNoob]

ok thanks guys.

no iodine dosing? what if i have been dosing? if i just stop dosing iodine would it be ok?

 

[TheUltimateNoob]

wait... i just read that a clam can bleach if iodine is depleted.

 

[smy168]

Here's a link for you to read about Iodine and Strontium dosing with regard to clams....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=278296&highlight=iodine+dosing

 

[jda]

I cannot stress this enough. Everything in my tank started doing better when I quit adding strontium, iodine and other trace elements (essential elements, coral vite, etc.). My clams grew faster and were more colorful, SPS colored up and grew better. Even my zoos grew better. I sometimes add iron if the macroalgae looks bad. 10-15% water change a week added all elements that I needed. Calcium, Buffer and water changes are the best recipie IMO.

I wish that I would have quit adding elements a long time ago.

 

[TheUltimateNoob]

ok. no more iodine and strontium for me.