Clams under 20k halides?

[graffyn01]

It is time to change out the bulbs again and I am looking for the best HQI bulbs to make my tank aesthetically pleasing to view.

I ran Ushio 10k for a year, then AB aqualine 10k.

I run 2 150w hqi and 2 65 watt pc's in the front only (limited room in the canopy)

I was thinking of going with 20k XM'S or coral-vue's and change the PC's in the front to 50/50's or 10 k.

I am going with either 14k or 20 k and am wondering if the clams will get the lighting they need from the 20k or will it be to blue.


Growth is not my concern at all. I want vibrant color and coral flourescence with enough light output (PAR) to keep the corals and CLAMS healthy. I currently have one of each giant clam for over 2 years now...

 

[graffyn01]

Just a few pic's of my baby's

 

[Typhon]

Are you keeping your clams on the sand bed?? Is your 90g tank 24" high?? How big are your clams?? Are all your clams larger than 3"?? Do you feed your clams phytoplankton??

By the way, great looking clams..

 

[graffyn01]

The Squamosa and Gigas are on the sand bed. The squamosa is about 4" and the Gigas is 8". the rest are on the rock work 4-8" from the surface, depending on which clam.

I feed about once a month, been doing that for about 2 years now.

I am looking to go to 14 or 20k to hopefully get some vibrant color and flourescence with my acros, monti's zoo's etc...

Everything grows like crazy, but I am tired of the bright white from the 10k and want color more than growth. If I put in a cream yellow acro it turns dark green or brown, arghh.

I just want to make sure when I switch to 14 or 20k that the Clams will be ok and hopefully color up as well not wash out.

 

[Dejavu]

I have 4 clams. they have been under 20k xms for a year and are do fine. you should have no problem.

 

[birdie]

Re: Clams under 20k halides?

Growth is not my concern at all. I want vibrant color and coral flourescence with enough light output (PAR) to keep the corals and CLAMS healthy. I currently have one of each giant clam for over 2 years now...

Since growth isn't a concern, then I say go for it. They should have no problem with the light. Quite a few people around here use 20k on their clams with no problems thus far.

Peace
Richard

 

[pjr]

Agreed. 24 months with clams on the sand bed, 20 inches deep, under 20K Radiums. All have been healthy and plenty of growth too!