clam recommendations??

jb_46

New member
I just bought a 150W MH with 2 65W actinics to replace my old PC fixture. It's a 36 gallon tank. I would love to keep some type of clam in my tank but I know they are very light demanding. Would a derasa or squamosa be okay to place on the substrate (tank is 20" deep ). Any suggestions would be great. Also, what kind of flow do they need?
 
well the clams you mentinoed the derasa or squamosa get big, so you would have to find a home for them when they out grow your tank.

you could do a maxima. you have enough lighting. make sure it's not too small the smaller ones or babies need target feeding. if your up to that then great if not get one that's i belive over 3inches.
 
how big can derasa and squamosa clams get, and approx. how long would it take under optimal conditions?
 
I am no clam 'expert' but I do keep 3. I have a Derasa, a Maxima, and a Crocea. My Derasa is the fastest grower that I keep. It has added about 1" of shell material in the past 12 months. Under optimal conditions, you may get a couple years before he needs a new home.
 
Maxima (max 14 inches) and Crocea (max 6-9 inches) are your best bets size-wise, but they're also the most demanding of light. Derasa can get up to 20 inches and grow very quickly (i.e. need lots of calcium), and squamosa's aren't much smaller (~16).

I went with a crocea. They're sized right for my tank (37g) and they like to be attached to rockwork so I was able to place it fairly high in the tank (~8 inches below the water, 18 inches below the light). I've got a 250w DE metal halide so it would probably be OK on the sand (with a buried rock to attach to), but why take chances. With a 150 you'd probably want to keep it in the top half of the tank.

Mine's been doing well for the last 6 months. Be sure you select one that reacts to your shadow, isn't gaping, and doesn't have damage to it's byssal gland.

This book is quite good, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...002-4171879-6742450?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
and the giant clam forum on RC is helpeful too.

John
 
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