clam on it's way out?

[rookiegirl]

I have a clam that was doing fine until yesterday, it's a newly cycled tank and i've had the clam for about a week. I noticed my skunk shrimp having a good clean on it for the past two days and then today it has completely inverted and you can see all of the white outer edges of the inner 'meat'. It's also not appearing to be attached properly inside, it's somewhat flailing around. I've heard of many issues with clams but most are related to the clam spreading open or what have you, not inverting and seeming to come loose.

calcium - 420
alk -13
ph - 8.3
nitrites - 0
ammonia - 0
salinity - 1.026
phosphates - 0
temp - 78

150 mh's/actinics 10k

Was on substrate but moved it up when i noticed problems.

 

[RokleM]

I would say it's probably gone. As well, a clam is probably one of the last things you want to add to a "newly cycled tank" in my opinion.

 

[rookiegirl]

Ya, my research said the same thing about not adding a clam yet but i listened to my LFS who said, "Of course you can have a clam and corals now, just not fish." Who was i, as a rookie that is, to question the expert? Sure, i could have a couple corals but not the load that he sold me, way too much at once. I learned a lot from listening to him and it has cost me a small fortune..but live and learn.

I lost the clam today and returned all of my corals that weren't doing well either, which was all of them. I spent 2 hours with the LFS trying to convince him that he gave me too much at once but he just figures I did something wrong...and he's right...i questioned my research and went with advice from someone trying to make a buck.

All good though, hopefully he can mend my corals...in the meantime i have a tank to clean out and start over...sigh.

 

[weluvfish54]

why would u clean out your tank and start over? (assuming u mean empty it)...just let it be and wait...patience will get you FAR in saltwater as well as research..NOT lfs.
good luck...weve all been there.

 

[RokleM]

Yes, no reason to start over. Just let it run for a little while, ensure the cycle is over, slowly add some inverts, etc. We have indeed all been there.

 

[chrisstie]

One of the things I don't think people realize is that your tank is not set in stone once the cycle is over. Sure the water is no longer toxic but there is an entire microbial ecosystem that will take a few months to establish itself based on food level, inhabitants, hitchhikers and general water chemistry.

Don't let clams turn you off just wait a few months (maybe 6 or so to be safe) before you try something challenging like them. Once your tank is in order (is fine for inverts and fish now) you should be able to do them just fine assuming your lighting is right.

 

[rookiegirl]

By start over i just meant empty the tank of obvious life (corals, etc.). I will keep my tank as is, i worked hard to get the substrate, LR and water cured/just right before i made my mistakes and i honestly don't think (with the results of all of my test kits) that there's any need to empty the tank of water.

I remodeled my tank tonight and re-arranged the live rock to fix little things that were bugging me - I just figured, why not take the opportunity as it's empty? I'm going to let the tank settle a bit and start testing tomorrow for a solid week or so to make sure the water doesn't do an unexpected spike and then get back in the game slowly.

Thanks for your input as well Chrisstie, I'm completely on board with what you're saying.

 

[Newreeflady]

Agreed. Clams are not easy and definitely wait a good 6 months or longer before trying again. Also, I've seen people have problems with some shrimp and clams as well, so that's something to think about. In fact, there are a lot of problematic additions for clams including some crabs, shrimp, and many fish. You'll need to do a lot more research on what you can keep with them, and what may be problematic. Barry & Clamsdirect is really nice and they have a forum there as well. Also, there is a clam forum here on RC which is probably a better place to ask clam questions.

All in all, don't feel bad... just don't listen to the lfs anymore and feel free to ask as many questions here on RC as you want. The only dumb question is that not asked

Don't empty the tank so hastily. What corals are you keeping? Some are pretty easy and will live through the worst of it.

Best,
-Angela

 

[rookiegirl]

Hi Newreeflady, thanks for your words of encouragement. It truly wasn't a good start but i sure will enjoy it all the more when it comes together properly now won't i?

I have taken all of the corals back to the LFS because they were just in that bad of shape. I had been in to see him several times and he finally told me to and he would isolate them and try his best to bring them back. Of course i don't get my money back or replacement corals but if he wants to give it a shot i welcome him to because i really would love to have them back. In total there was an orange plate, hairy plate, frogspawn, hammer, aussy torch and a clam...the clam didn't make it. That was tough, it was beautiful.

The LFS still denies he did anything wrong, says loading up on corals as he recommended was not the problem, he says i was testing my ph wrong...i took it to two other stores and they BOTH gave me the same reading i had...which was 8.3...he also said the clam he sold me was fine at this stage of the cycle...sigh...other than rescuing my corals if they mend well, i am done with that store.

I am letting my water settle now and testing it everyday to ensure all is good before adding anything, maybe a week to be safe.

On a positive note, i have re-arranged my LR and am thrilled with my aquascaping...looks pretty sweet i think.

 

[Newreeflady]

Wow, they'll say anything, won't they?

He is wrong wrong wrong. I am sorry you couldn't donate to a local who might've brought them back. I highly encourage you to try to find others in your area who keep tanks... someone to mentor you. I found a really nice woman named Gale in Boca Raton when I first got into the hobby. She was so much help with getting started.

Feel free to pm me if I can help in any way. Also, like I said, don't hesitate to post questions!

pH of 8.3 is excellent.

GL,
-A

 

[snorvich]

I support Newreeflady's point of view. Go slowly. Research as you did, and then trust your research. Ask questions here. Sometimes we may be a bit restrictive in terms of how quickly you can do something, but it is better to go very slowly. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. Don't trust that LFS. They have already proven they are simply after your $$$.

 

[rookiegirl]

Thanks Snorvich, going to try out a new LFS today...bit of a drive but i think will be worth it in the end. Tank is doing great right now, all parameters are excellent. I have promised myself to wait a few more days before adding anything so i'm going to grab a few pieces from the new LFS for a QT tank i have yet to put together....make sure it's ready for when i make my first purchase. ( i didn't do that last time with my corals or clam) I had it in my mind i was going to use a QT just for fish but i think i'm going to QT everything from now on. Good way to chat them up without actually buying anything live yet.