clam lighting

[gregbinder130]

Greetings All,
My 75G reef has been up and running for just about a year now and, so far, so good. My question is in regard to clams and lighting. While I'm aware that MH is the way to go, I'm reading many differing opinions on their necessity and what acceptable parameters are regarding intensity, i.e.; lux, lumens, degrees Kelvin, etc. I am currenty running PC's with 4 65W 10000k's and 3 65W Actinics for a total of 455 watts. Again, this is a 75G which puts the lights 19 to 20 inches above the substrate. There is about 130 pounds of LR, which, in some areas, comes to within 6 to 8 inches below the water surface. Is this sufficiant for any species of clams, and if so, which would be comfortable in this setting. Thanks in advance for any light (groan) anyone might be able to shed on my query.

Greg

 

[friendtothefish]

Ive been wondering the same thing?!?!?! I have a 40 gal reef and my lighting is
a Coral Life 2X95w 1actinic and 1 10000k , i also want to know wather i could house clams or not???

 

[Peabody]

Hate to say it guys, but with PC lighting, it is insufficient for the "pretty" giant clams like maxima and crocea clams. PCs do not have the PAR and lack the ability to penetrate it down through the water. I've seen clam after clam die at my LFS under lots of PCs (4x65 over a 55 gallon and 96w over a 10 gallon), and many other people have seen the same thing in hobbiest tanks. You may, however, be able to keep a squamosa, hippopus, or derasa clam, but the lighting is still boarderline.....they will likely survive, but they probably won't thrive. I kept a squamosa right under 2 65 watt 10k (plus additional actinics) bulbs in a shallow 15 gallon tank and he didn't grow....when I upgraded to MH he grew like CRAZY, and his "behavior" was much better!

So.....unfortunately, clams are probably best left out of your tanks until you get MH lighting....I know they are beautiful, but enjoy making one bada$$ soft coral and LPS tank...they can be stunning!

Best of luck!
Jeff

 

[gregbinder130]

Thanks Jeff,
Sounds like the prudent thing to do is to wait until I graduate to MH ligthting. I'm in this for the good of the species and wouldn't want to compromise the health and well being of a specimen. Any thoughts on an economical, maybe do-it-yourself MH set-ups? Thanks again for your input.

Greg
Berkeley, IL

 

[Peabody]

More than happy to help! I (as well as most of RC) really appreciate that kind of attitude! There are some unfortunate people that don't consider the long-term well being of the animal, etc.

A little research on here about lighting will help you decide what kinds of thigs you want.....wattage (most popular is 2x250 for a 75 gallon...you can keep anything light-wise then!), ballasts, bulbs, etc. When you're ready to buy, many RC sponsors have good deals including DIY retrofits....I have used www.hellolighting.com before and ove their service and prices. You can get some VERY inexpensive ballasts from them. Or, be sure to check out the for sale section here on RC. I got my 175 watt pendant setup used for $100....much less than I paid for my old PC setup!

Best of luck! Jeff

 

[gregbinder130]

Thanks again, Jeff. Yeah, I read everything I could get my hands on regarding setting up reef tanks almost a year before I actually started buying componants. Seeing the love and dedication the pros have for it in their writings, I couldn't help but feel I had a responsibility to not learn by trial and error. My goal is propogation, not confinement.
I've used hellolighting to replace my PC's and found them to be very competitive in pricing. Sounds like you really made out with your pendants. I guess I need to spend more time monitoring the sale section here, as it seems good deals are quickly scarfed up. Again, thanks for your time and thoughts.


Greg
Berkeley, IL