Clam help

[G13]

I posted this in the clam forum but haven't got much of a response can someone help me out with some info.


Clam questions
I purchased a maxima clam yesterday about 2" in length. I was told it can be left in the sand or placed on a rock. My tank is a 45 gallon with 250W DE HQI Phoenix14K bulb that is placed 6" above the water line. I've placed the clam on the sand bed and is about 25" from the Mh's. I knew I had enough lighting to keep one but I have a couple questions.

-Will it be fine in the sand or should I move it up on the rocks?

-What should I feed it? Can I just feed the tank phytoplankton?

-Will phosphates and nitrates harm the clam? Tank parameters...Phosphates 0, nitrates?

My tank consists of a pair of black/white ocellarius, flameback angel (so far reef safe), exquisite wrasse and green goby. Corals consist of red and blue mushrooms and various different colored zoo's. Everything seems to grow at a good rate. 60 lbs of LR and 60 lbs of LS. Oh, and I also have a purple tube anemone.

-Where should I try and keep my calcium level at? Since I think it'll be the only inhabitant soaking it in

 

[Edward Smith]

I'm far from a clam expert but this is what I've been told:

I would place it anywhere you want but if it begins to pale then move it up.

I believe phytoplankton is ok, but I would confirm that with others. I use Rod's food for a "do it all food."

I dont know about phospates but clams eat nitrates, they and your tank like that!

I shoot to keep my calcium between 400 and 450 but I also am growing many more LPS and SPS

 

[Sullyman]

Leave it on the sand. Got a flat rock and put it under it in the sand. It will be happy once it gets a foothold on the rock.
You probably don't need to feed it anything, maybe some phyto if you really feel the need but not much.
Always keep the tank params as close to perfect as possible.
Watch the Angel, sounds like your biggest risk.
How are you maintaining your calcium levels now?

 

[Evolley1]

Sand or rocks it does not matter. On occassion I spot feed Cyclopeeze...that is if 3 times a year counts. They are pretty self sufficient as long as the light and water params are good.

 

[Pufferpunk]

When I squirt food at mine, it closes. I can't tell if that's cause it's eating or trying to get away from the food I'm squirting at it.

 

[Zoalander]

You really don't want to squirt food at it. They feed on microscopic organism. If you can see the food, it's too big for the clam. Just dose phyto and DT's oyster eggs, they get the majority of their food from lighting.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I'm glad you told me that. I guess it didn't like it then.

 

[softbal4]

pp, becareful with that. i did that to my squamosa and it choked and died....at least that is what i was told. i was also told to dose the tank and not feed directly. just my thoughts.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Will do!

 

[pk1]

good advice here...they prefer to attach to a hard surface, so try and do what sully says, and put a flat rock under the sand for them. Some people use regular store bought clam shells and let the clam attach to those. CA levels at or near NSW, and good water quality in general. HTH.

PK

 

[G13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7000703#post7000703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sullyman
Leave it on the sand. Got a flat rock and put it under it in the sand. It will be happy once it gets a foothold on the rock.
You probably don't need to feed it anything, maybe some phyto if you really feel the need but not much.
Always keep the tank params as close to perfect as possible.
Watch the Angel, sounds like your biggest risk.
How are you maintaining your calcium levels now?

My calcium level is 440, tested with a salifert kit. I was using oceanic salt and my calcium level was about 550 but I've switched to instant ocean about 2 months ago and it's been going down. I do have b-ionic if calcium is needed.

Thanks, for all the reply's. Now other then color loss what else can I look for if the clam is being stressed?

 

[nepuck]

I'm no expert but I have had success w/ clams. 2-1/2" and smaller clams are tough to keep. I've heard this from others and experienced it myself. My small ones have never made it long. Since loosing the small ones I've read that you must feed little clams like stated above (dosing, not direct). I have used DT's oyster eggs and Phyto. Seems that Cyclo would be too large (I've never used). BTW I have not lost any larger clams (3"- 4" and up).

 

[Ladipyg]

I've had luck with finding a plastic water bottle just big enough to fit over the clam and cut the bottom off, put it over the clam and add JUST A COUPLE of drops of phylo and let it sit for an hour or so then remove the bottle. I got 3 clams from people who thought they weren't doing well (they weren't) and nursed them back to health. Of course it doesn't hurt that they are in a 75 gallon tank with 2 400 MH's and 4-65 watt PC's. Now that they are bigger I just dose phylo and oyster eggs like Vetter said. It's my SPS tank and they LOVE the oyster eggs too. Good luck