Clam tank suggestions

[spamin76]

So I have recently gotten back into the hobby after a year or two hiatus, and I am considering a clam tank. I am going to be moving into a rather small apartment so space is going to be very limited. I think a 3' tank would be the max I could make room for. Maybe I could pull off a 50 gallon of some kind but that would probably be as big as I could possibly go.

So can people give me advice on set up, how much it would cost starting completely from scratch - tank, lighting, other necessary set up requirements.

I have never kept a clam, but have always wanted to. As far as corals go, I have kept a pretty broad range of soft corals and LPS with pretty good results.

 

[spamin76]

PS cost is somewhat of an issue. I can't go dropping $3,000 on a setup

I am trying to get a feel for the "minimum necessary" good setup. Good enough for the livestock to fluorish, but not over the top.

I am looking for a good setup, but one on a budget too.

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Well any size will work, i'm in the process of setting up a 10 gallon clam dominated tank (once i get funds ) but if you want to go 10 like me it is not bad on cost (plus i got a free acrylic flat hex 10 gal) but around $200-300 here's what i have estimated:
1. tank $free
2. 150 watt MH $100 (i buy only used and this is the DIY version for my canopy)
3. heater $20 (ebo-jager)
4. sand 20lbs. $20
5. Rock 10lbs (at $2/lb) $20
6. Calcium/alkalinity supplement (homemade version) $25 for materials
7. clams (sale here for $25 each) 5-$100
So about $300

 

[spamin76]

Can you keep a clam in a tank that small?

 

[spamin76]

Well I guess I will pose the question, what species of clams are better for beginners, and what species are suitable for smaller tanks?

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Yes as long as you give it good params but IMO for small tanks crocea's are good for beginners (even though they need alot of light they still require special care like all clams and they stay small).

 

[phil121]

You can most definitely keep clams in small tanks. I see many of them kept on NR. I want to get one for my eight gallon and am looking at a crocea. With good water quality you should be able to keep one.

 

[skinz78]

Just remember our tanks are basically small septic tanks. You have to keep up on the water params even more so the smaller your tank is. Clams require perfect water conditions.

 

[spamin76]

Woudl you recommend any fish, or is clam by itself a better bet? (Particularly those who eat clam parasites)

 

[spamin76]

Also what do you do specifically to manage algae? I am guessing algae on clam flesh = bad