Clams vs. LPS question

[Hoopy1113]

Hello all,

I have a 90 gallon reef tank that has been running for a little over 1 year. I currently have a Hammer Coral, Frogspawn, and a Candy Cane. I also have some mushrooms. Anyways, all is well with them and all my water parameters are stable. Anyways, I have slowly been getting into harder corals (ha ha, I know nothing I listed seems that hard). I started with the mushrooms and then slows over a couple months added the LPS stuff. All seems good and I have noticed some growth. I really want to add 2 clams to my tank. Would you guys say clams are harder or easier then LPS? I really don't want to get over my head if they are much more difficult to keep. Anyways, I was thinking of getting 2 Maxima's. My lighting is as follows:

2x250 watt MH
2x110 High Output actinic's

Anyways, I have been reading alot about clams, but I have read many contrasting views on there difficulty. I have heard that they are hardy and easy to care for and I have also heard that they are very picky and can go "South" for many odd reasons. Anyways, would you guys say that Clams are on Par with LPS as far as care level?

Regards.

jjhuep1113

 

[Julio]

i would start out with some maximas and then you can work yoru way up from there to other more exotic species.

 

[jda]

What kind of fish do you have? Aside from tank parameters, some fish will irritate clams to death (literally).

You lighting is fine provided the bulbs are replaced on schedule.

 

[Scuba Dog]

clams Im just familiar woth maximas and croceas...they need high light, you have that...they need Ca around the 400ppm level 425 up to 450 is ideal...alkalinity should be at least 9dkh up to 12 dkh and moderate flow...butteryflys and angels have a tendancy to nip on clams causeing them to hide in the shell and wither away with time...I keep a six line wrass to take care of the problem snails, but knock on wood i have never had the pyrmid snails...

But basicly i think clams are easy...provided you meet there demands..high light moderate flow...good water quality...plenty of ca and alkalinity...and the absence of parasites....and clam niping fish...oh and if the clams are small target feed with live phytoplankton...and if there large then feed the tank smaller amounts of phyto if your system can handel the extra nutrients...I emply high skimming, a fuge and a phosphate rx to meet those demands...

 

[my2girls]

ScubaDog gives good advice. Plenty of Ca and stable dKH. They say smaller clams (1" or so) need feedings of phytoplankton.

IMO Derasa and Squamosa clams are the easiest, although they grow the largest. Crocea and Maximas are often more brightly colored and require more light. Your lighting (250w) is fine. I would place the Maximas up high in the tank. Good luck!