Clams under VHO??

[Kenny]

I am curious if anyone is currently successfully keeping clams under VHO lighting? With all the controversy of metal halide versus VHO, I have read very little regarding the keeping of clams. If so, I am interested in tank height, amount and type of lighting and types of clams kept. I have a 90 and am thinking of upgrading the lighting to accommodate both clams and SPS corals. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kendall

 

[mjsandbe]

I keep two squamosa clams in my tank. They are on the sand bed in the bottom of the tank. One has a 1/4" band of white new growth and the other has about 1/8". They sit right next to each other, goes to show that the same type under the same conditions can grow at different rates. The growth has been pretty constant for the year I have had them. Starting at the same size the larger one is about 1/3 bigger now.

 

[skeeters]

I currently have a Squamosa in my 25 gallon. The height is 16 inches with three inch DSB. The clam is on the sandbed.

I use 3x75 watt VHO's and 1 NO.

I have had the clam for three months. I attached a photo of the new growth. I know people that have successfully kept Derasa and Squamosa under VHO.

Don't get caught up in the MH vs VHO controversy. Studies show that some corals may have higher photosynthesis rates in moderate light than in strong light.

As Eric Borneman says,"more light is not always better".

Heath

 

[Kenny]

Thanks for the help. I think I will stick with VHO for now. I may end up waiting on the clams and the SPS corals until after a little house remodeling and maybe a new tank!
Kendall

 

[pi]

Kenny,

I have a Ultra Maxima in a 120 gallon VHO lit system. I have 6 bulbs, 2 50/50, 2 Aquasun and 2 actinic blues. THe clam is located 1/3 of the way down and is thriving. Now, it is only been in there around 4 - 5 months, but so far it is doing great. This is the second clam I have had in this tank. The first, a Maxima as well got too large and I gave him away. I had him on the bottom of the tank and at that time there were only 4 bulbs.

Here is a picture.

Paul

 

[Kenny]

Paul-
Is that a pic of your tank????? That looks awesome!! Looks like you are having good luck with some SPS corals too! Thanks!
Kendall

 

[pi]

Kenny,

Yes it is. Thanks for the complement. I traded some corals this weekend with a guy I met here (Reef Fever) and he was kind enough to take a few (very nice) pictures.

I like VHO's and my corals do very well under them. I think you will find the same if you stay with VHO lighting. I have not found an SPS that does not do well under them.

Paul

 

[Rock Anemone]

I have a 75 gallon gallon 18 inches high with 4-96 watt VHO URI bubls. I keep sofites and some hard corals. I have a monti caprocornis frag at the top "palting" and it has grown. I plan on a derresa clam as well!

Hope This Helps!
Rock Anemone

 

[Bernie]

I have VHO's and a couple new clams, where and how should I place them?

 

[NatUK]

I have 2 small croceas in a 29g with 4 25w NO bulbs running on an icecap 660. The clams have shown moderate growth in the time I've had them.

 

[dougchambers]

Kenny,

We've been successful with Clams in our 75RR and a mix of PC's and VHO. We originally had two Derasa clams under 220Watts of PC in a 30 gallon for ~2 years. They grew well!

Now we are running 4-110Watt VHO's and 4-55Watt PC's over a 75RR. When the PC bulbs run down we will be replacing them with VHO.

In our experience, you can be quite successful with clams under VHO. Depending on your wattage, you may need to put the clams higher, but it is possible.

Here is a link we just put up with a couple of pictures. The site is still under construction, but the Gallery has pictures of our 2-Derasa's, and 2-Maxima's.

Take a look...

http://dougc3.home.mindspring.com/Reefpage/Index.htm

Good Luck,

Doug