clam lighting question

[JJ21]

Hello all
I know this question has probably been asked many times before, and it is probably getting on most you clam experts nerves. However I have a question regarding the lighting for T. Squamosa, T. Gigas, and T. Derasa. I have also read the sticky on clam lighting, but just wanted to get all of your opinions. My question is whether or not either of these clams would be happy with the lighting in my tank. I have a 29 gallon Biocube with the stock lighting which is one 36 watt 10K daylight bulb, and one 36 watt actinic bulb. I also have the standard pump that comes with the tank. I have about 30lbs of live rock in the tank, and 25 pounds of live sand. Fish consist of 2 true percula clownfish and a pair of peppermint shrimp(which will be going as soon as I can catch them)

Assuming I kept the clam at the very top of the tank, would it be happy?
I know the potential size these clams can reach, and I already have someone who will take it should he start to get too big. Oh, and here are my params:

salinity: 1.023
Cal:~400
Alk:~9 dkh
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0

If there is anything else you guys need to know about my tank, feel free to ask

Thanks for all of your help

 

[skinz78]

I wouldn't recommend it for two reasons. The lighing is sub par and as you said they all get big fairly fast. You may be ok with a squamosa for a short while but not for an extended pieriod of time.

 

[tydtran]

I would not recommend it. I think with clams, it's MH lighting or no clam. While it may live for a while with less, you will never get the growth or color withou MH lighting.

 

[scapes]

the bigger issue here, as stated by skinz, is that a 29g tank is way too small for either one of the three of the clams you mentioned. however, the philosophy that it is either "MH or no clam" is NOT true as I have successfully kept the LOWER light clams in question by the OP under VHO's, t5's and even PC's. MH would probably be preferable w/ the crocea's and maxi's, but w/ the lower light clams, MH would kill one of these lower light clams in a 29g biocube. JMO

 

[JJ21]

So you guys think it would be better off with no clam?

 

[scapes]

yes, unfortunately.

 

[joesfiddy]

your best bet is a mh with clam then you have no worries

 

[skinz78]

T5 lighting works just as good with clams. Mh only is just a myth.

 

[2crazyreefers]

T5 are fine for clams. Check out the thread here (My clam tank). It is my clam tank lit by T5. It now has 33 clams including derasa - squamossa - gigas - maxima and crocea which are all doing fine.

 

[JJ21]

Alright guys thanks for your help.

 

[Reefer07]

How do you guys think a squamosa would fare in a 29 gallon with 100 watts of T-5?
My levels are constantly at:
Ph:8.2
Calc.: 420-440
Alk. 9.5-10.0

My buddy just got a derasa about a month ago for his 72 bow and it is doing great under Power compacts. He has been recommened many of times to at least look in to T-5's but nonetheless the clam is doing great. The mantle has been coming out more since he got it etc. etc. It is also about 5-6 inches.

 

[skinz78]

It takes a long time for clams to starve to death due to improper lighting. It may look good now but how bout a year from now? A squamosa with 100w will be fine for a little while but will outgrow the tank quickly.

 

[Reefer07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12882724#post12882724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skinz78
It takes a long time for clams to starve to death due to improper lighting. It may look good now but how bout a year from now? A squamosa with 100w will be fine for a little while but will outgrow the tank quickly.

As long as it will be fine with my parameters and equipment....
I don't mine growing something then selling it etc. etc. I am going to look into a 4 or 5 incher.
I really like crocea's but I heard they are harder to take care of. What exactly makes them so much harder? And would I be able to run them with my setup?

 

[skinz78]

Crocea's seem to be a little more suceptable to pinched mantle, but other than that they are pretty easy to keep. You should be set up just fine for a crocea.