Clams On Substrate?

[Waterbury Guy]

I thought this was a no-no, but I always see pics of tanks with clams on the bottom. I havea 55 gallon with 220W T5. Got my first Maxima about a month ago, he's high up on the rocks and doing great. But now I think I'm addicted and want MORE!

 

[skinz78]

depending on lighting all maxima's and crocea's need to be up on the rocks, if your lighting is good all of the others can be on the substrate.

 

[Hesham]

They can be put on the sand bed but this might not be the best substrate for them depending on clam type.

Large clams like Tridacna squamosa will likely only go directly onto the sand bed because they are, well, large. My 12" squamosa has been happily sitting on the sand since I placed it about 4 years ago (when it was just a "baby" 8 inch squamosa).

I prefer not placing boring clams like Maximas and Croceas directly on sand since these clams like to attach to something hard. If you are to place these directly on the sand bed, you can place a half shell underneath the clam for attachment. Also, you can make a fitted cradle for your clam by using aquarium epoxy and forming a disk that can be molded to have same shape as base of your clam. Let the disk cure before placing the clam in it.

There is some concern that some predators can get underneath Tridacnas and start munching on them through their byssal opening. I've never had this happen to any of my clams. My large squamosa actually has a pistol shrimp living underneath it.

I recommend getting James Featheree's book - "Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium". It's an excellent clam reference.

Regards,

Hesham

 

[Waterbury Guy]

Hesham,
Any good LFS in Montreal?

 

[Hesham]

Hi Waterbury Guy,

The LFS choices in Montreal have gotten much better the last few years. A few suggestions;

Aqua-reef -> 4178 Grand Allee, Green Field Park, J4V 3N2 (behind the Best Buy)
-> Fantastic place to purchase corals. Steve sometimes has rare and unique pieces. His corals are also very healthy. It's easy to tell that the owner loves corals when you step in the place. His prices are reasonable and he can special order rare fish. In the last few years, every coral I've purchased except for one came from Aqua-reef.

World Fish -> 5462 Jean-Talon East, Saint-Léonard, H1S 1L6
-> Good fish place. Corals are OK.

Octopus -> 4576 avenue Papineau, Montréal, H2H 1V3
-> Good coral and fish place. I place it second to Aqua-reef for corals.

Big Al's -> 2315G Transcanada, Pointe-Claire, H9R 5Z5
-> Good fish place. Prices are very good. The owner runs a very professional and clean shop. Quite a lot nicer than other Big Al's I've visited.

There are some others as well. When visiting, try to drop by Aqua-reef if you have limited time.

Regards,

Hesham