Clams and nano tanks

[knumbnutz]

One more thing I posted this on another thread, but this post got more attention.

I just got a t. maxima {~2"} and 2 t. crocea {both~3"-4"} for my 30 gallon, so my question is how fast do these species grow under "ideal" conditions? I have a coral life hood with 150watt MH and a 60 watt blue actinic.
H2O Conditions
ca+ ~480
spg 1.024-1.025
ph 8.00-8.30
Nitrite, Nitrate, amonia undectable with tests
Feed with DT's every other day

Guy at LFS said I could probably keep them a couple of years before they get too big. I didn't think that they would grow that fast . . .

BTW: These clams were added over several weeks so as not to shock the system and all are doing exceptionally well after a couple of weeks.

 

[grimmjohn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6328797#post6328797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by knumbnutz
Awesome, I started a brainiac war. I know nothing, what is PAR?

And while I am asking because I am curious, how/when do the clams {tridacnids} reproduce? A friend asked and I had to shrug. I've read that they will "spooge" and that can be harmful to other tank inhabitants and cause skimmers to overflow. Thanks, all.
CWW

PAR is a measure of photosyntheticaly useable energy from lights.
Clams reproduce "when the moon in the sky's like a big piece of pie, that's amore," () : )
No really, tides, lunar cycle, etc...not sure exactly. () : )
Commercially, I think tridacnids are induced to spawn by stress, I think leaving them high and dry on the beach for a little is a popular method.

"One more thing, do moon lights {blue LED} do anymore than add cheap night time thrills for clams?"
I know the claims, but I've never seen proof, seems many people have spawns without moonlights, I think they would be moot unless you had a lunar cycle program running. Seems it's a bigger deal for acros, though I've seen spawns without them. Pocilipora will spawn lots with no help from the reefer () : )
I wouldn't want it to happen in my tank, as you said it can be VERY bad for the tank, but I wouldn't worry about moon lights cuasing this..I would just consider a clam spawning a random misfortune.

My crocea grows pretty slow, but he's already 6", my baby is new so I don't know from experince under ideal conditions.
My maxis are babies too, but they don't grow that fast either, not like gigas. I woudl say a few years too, the croceas will never outgrow your tank, and you will always have room for the maxima too, though you might have to make the room () : )

Cheers,

grimmjohn

 

[Peabody]

knumbnutz: Do you monitor ALK? It's just about the most important thing.

 

[knumbnutz]

Yes, I do monitor ALK, but I have never seen it dip below 8. Right now its around 9dkh. I dose with kalkwasser and that pretty much keeps everything {pH/ALK} in range, correct me if I am wrong here. I still use a color drop test for Alk and I find it imprecise. Is there a digital AlK tester? I am all about the lazy man's approach to testing. I have a Hanna digital pH temp probe that is THE best thing since sliced bread. So I test pH daily. ALK I only test once a week and now because it seems so stable once every other week. Any recomendation.

BTW thanks for all the great info. I am going to try and post a pic of the calms tonight. They are super beautiful!!!

one more thing, to post a pic I need to find a free picture website, upload my photo, get the URL for my photo then how do I embed the photo in the thread?

 

[knumbnutz]

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[knumbnutz]

 

[knumbnutz]

Okay I just learned how to post a photo. I am a genius!! {maybe idiot savant}

These were taken at the beginning of December. I have a new clam that I will take pics and post tonight.

Sorry for the clutter in my learning to post images.

 

[glyle41]

very very nice

 

[knumbnutz]

Thanks, made my day!!

:thumbsup:

 

[gussy]

Okay...I'm back with another question.

I can swap out the light with a 175W MH + 2x 24W T5. Problem is that with my canopy, the light will be about 1" from the water level (covered of course). The fixture is 20" and the tank is 24"W and 14"H accounting for the DSB.

Too much or still too little? That's the only light that I have or I forget about the clams and go back to those old PCs.

The tank has been there for close to two years. I just move an LTA as it was getting really huge. So I have this space that I though I could put a clam.

 

[Peabody]

That would probably raiseyour temp too high. Minimum for MH bulbs over water is more like 5-6 inches.

 

[gussy]

Hmmm...I can get maybe 3" max as I have a hood with 7" of space.

 

[knumbnutz]

I would worry about the lights overheating the tank, and you'll have to be very dilligent about topping off with fresh water. Evaporation will casue salinity to spike and that is no good for anything especially the clams.