clam question

deepbelow

New member
my crocea clam is starting to look rough around the edges and the color is lightening up in those areas. I have not seen anything nip at it. none of my other clams are showing any signs of the same thing happening. any idea of what it may be?? thanks for any help

B
 
It would help if you would tell us more about the tank...otherwise its kinda like a crap shoot.....
 
all of my water params seem to be in check. the one thing i have been worring about lately is if it is getting enough light. i am running a 175w metal halid 14k and 2-65w pc. the clam is about half way up the tank and the tank is a standard 29g. if ya need more info i will tell.

b
 
hello,
1 percula, 1 royal gramma, blue legged hermits, 1 sea hare, a couple of different types of snails..just the norms, i use a wetdry model 60, 2-model 60 aqua clear protien skimmers(just started useing the second), a rio 2100 for my return. I have been adding oceans blend part one and two, i have been testing my alk and calcium to make sure that it stays right. every once in while i add a small amount of iodine to my system(oceans blend). i have been useing a phosphate remover latley oceans blend as well. just started useing that about 10 days ago. found out there was phosphate in my top off water. everything else amonia, nitrite, nitrates seems to be fine. my ph flucuates between 8.2-8.4, my temp is around 78 degrees fer. . i also use a ocilating power head in the tank. i hope this helps out thanks for any help
 
stop using the phosphate remover untill you can have a chamber of carbon AFTER the po4 remover. in the mean time add a lot of carbon to remove any free iron in the water.

read this

posted by Nuhtty
I have studied the effects of heavy metal toxicity in humans and the role that iron chelators play (chemicals that "eat up" iron making it unable to form molecular bonds) so interestingly I was familiar with research that studied iron chelators and protozoal infections. In this case, P. atlanticus which affects the Carpet Shell Clams.

Below I linked a study from 2003 that investigates the role of 2 such iron chelators and their effect on the protozoal infections.

I dont know your scientific background so forgive me if I am speaking down to you.

Here is what the study showed:
- Iron chelators inhibited the growth of P. atlanticus
- No growth of P. atlanticus = no dead clams
- Removal of iron chelators (therefore the ability for iron to be used in the protozoa again) = protozoa grew more rapidly

So when you added the iron to your system you allowed the Perkinsus protozoa (difficult to tell which species in this case) to grow and therefore kill your clams.

There is no known "treatment" per se, but removal of iron from the system should be all that is needed.

I would recommend water changes and removal of all clams, abalone, scallops and other similar animals from your system.

Continue water changes until your iron readings are undetectable...then do MORE water changes. I would say a good water change per week for 2 months past the time when there is NO detectable iron would put you in the safe range.

From that point on be cautious in the livestock you choose. Try to buy farm raised clams as these specimens are less likely to be infected with the protozoa.

Here are 2 links for more reading. Again, I dont know your scientific background so if you need help interpreting any of the data or you want me to help "translate" some of the scientific jargon I would be more than happy to do so.

Hope I have been informative.

(this is a PDF file so you need Acrobat to read it)
http://www.ualg.pt/fcma/edge/Articles/Elan...20chelator'

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/sh.../perkincc_e.htm

This post has been edited by Nuhtty: Jan 1 2006, 01:26 PM


__________________
Chris&Barb
 
thank you, i started using carbon today and removed the phosphate remover. i will repost any change as it happens.

B
 
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