Clams on barebottom tank??

[Wilafur]

well, my new tank is barebottm re: absolutely no substrate. just wondering if it would be a good idea to stick clams right onto the acrylic or should i place them on a piece of rock or shell.

my worry is that the clam will bore right through the bottom of the tank. is this worry founded or unfounded?

any thoughts?

tia

 

[Znut Reefer]

Hi, I have the same barebottom. I would place them on a thick piece of rock. Unless its a crocea, they demand more light I would put them closer to the top on rock.

 

[Aged Salt]

I have all my clams on rocks with the exception of my 3y/o large Derasa which is on the bb,Bob

 

[BlAcK_PeRcUlA]

Wilbur,

You can use a a large clam shell and let them attach to that. Then you can put that on the bottom.

 

[Project Reef]

A clam boring through the bottom of the acrylic panel making a hole and causing a full blown leak!! I have never even thought about that, I'm not sure if it can happen, but hey Wilbur, you know as well as I do that by the time the clam even attaches to the bottom of your tank, you are gonna sell your system and upgrade to a new one. ...As if I am one to talk.

I would place croceas on your rock work and maximas on the acrylic bottom. I don't think you are going to keep squamosas/gigas or derasas in your system, but if you do place them on the acrylic bottom as well. Just keep the croceas on the rock as they have the most powerful "boring" capabilities.

 

[Wilafur]

thanks for the input folks. i think i will just get thin pieces of rocks to place the clams on.

now way ali, gonna keep; this tank for a while.....i hope. lol.

 

[faviasteve]

From what I have read, clams "bore" into the rock by using an organic acid to slowly dissolve the aragonite (the mineral live rock is made of) below them and then settle into the hole as it is formed. I suppose the clam moving back and forth may help excavate the hole, but the acid does most of the work. Weak organic acids don't affect glass or plastics, so a clam can't bore through the bottom of a tank. I think putting them on a clam shell is a good idea.

Steve