Clams and water chemistry

[essop3]

I just added a 3" squamosa clam to my 125g. For corals I keep mostly softies with a few LPS. Thus far I have depended on water changes to keep calcium, alk, etc in check. Should this be something I need to start putting more thought into? I've never really had a problem with them, that I know of, but have heard clams can really soak up the calcuim.

This would also be a good place for Matt to give a water chemisty lesson

Thanks for any input,

Chris

 

[marinelife]

DTS live phytoplankton

 

[grendl]

Chris, I have some DTs, and if I ever get my arse in gear to come get my stuff from you, its all yours. The fella who I got it from (was a batch of frozen foods) said that it was like $30 for the small jar.

I had time on Saturday to come out, but I wasnt at my PC & didnt have your number on my cell. And you werent listed in the phone book I keep in the Jeep.

If you dont want to buy that DTs locally (I think Fujis carries DT) or online, & want to meet sometime this week here in town (or I could meet you at Elkview, but it would have to be after work) I could bring it out!

 

[MattG]

Phytoplankton would be a good idea since the clam is still somewhat small. It most likely would do fine without it IMO but I would guess it would appreciate the extra food. A bell feeder works best for this IMO.

As far as the chemistry I would just keep an eye on your calcium/alkalinity levels and adjust if needed. One small clam in a 125 gallon tank isn't going to be that taxing on your ca/alk. If your levels do drop there are many options for supplementing, easiest IMO are kalkwasser or two parters (probably would get expensive in a 125).

This would also be a good place for Matt to give a water chemisty lesson

I am not sure what you want to know chemistry wise. Ask any questions you like and I will try my best to answer. If I don't know the answer ill just make something up.

 

[grendl]

I have oyster eggs, not phyto, doh!

But Fujis sells that as well I am fairly certain

 

[essop3]

I was mostly wondering about calciums effect on pH and how pH is buffered in saltwater. I deal with blood pH at work but it is buffered by HCO3 and CO2 and regulated by the body. I guess it's easier to understand when you deal with it one way everyday.

 

[MattG]

Have you checked out the Reef Chemistry forum articles?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

It sounds like you have had some chemistry classes in the past and Randy's articles can explain it all much better then me.


Ph for the most part is 'buffered' in saltwater by carbonate,bicarbonate and carbonic acid (this is actually dependent upon the amount of c02).

I wouldnt worry too much about the effect of calcium on ph. More importantly is the effect of alkalinity on Ph and maintaining the balance of calcium and alkalinity.

 

[odoprelude]

I tell you, Squamies are probably the most hardy of clams... and grow big as well, check my gallery. As long as you keep your calcium at a decent level and nothing else in your tank is being affected by your PH, you are golden as far as a squamie goes. Good thing about being a 3" clam is that is can get most of the nurishment it needs from your lights. I had mine under dual 250w mh's. I have heard of people relying on the daily scraping of the algae off the glass to feed those, myself, I dosed phyto but not directly on the clam and it did great! I ended trading mine for a teardrop maxima, but have kept croceas as well... check the clam board on here for other good info!

 

[grendl]

Chris, I was at Fujis the other day & saw a huge clam in their sell tank. I asked if they got it from a hobbyist in Huntington... hehe. That thing is a beast!