Clams...

[roadrunner1659]

How much lighting does a clam need?

Thanks!

 

[dugg]

It depends what kind of clam.

 

[roadrunner1659]

im not sure of the different types...what types are those and what type of lighting would they need?

 

[dugg]

Most require Metal Halide to thrive, but some will do good under T-5 or VHO. I'm not sure if any can be kept under PC lights or not.

Crocea and maxima are high light needs

Derasa and squamosa are lower light

 

[masterswimmer]

I've got my crocea and a derasa under T-5's. My crocea is on the sandbed too.

 

[dugg]

Derasa and squamosa clams get very big fast while crocea and maxima stay fairly small. I have 1 crocea and 2 derasa under 250 of MH 14k, and they are growing way too fast. The derasa clams seem to hog the light up while the crocea just sits there and looks pretty. They really seem to like the group thing. They like to be touching each other. If i move them they move right back until they touch mantles and then settle right down.

 

[roadrunner1659]

i would love to get one but i would think that my lighting isn't sufficent...2x65...26 gal tank...2ft deep...

 

[masterswimmer]

Not the right kind of lighting. You'll be upgrading before you know it. Then watch out!! lol

Russ

 

[roadrunner1659]

OK! Thanks!

 

[dugg]

You put a single 175 or 250 watt MH over that tank and you can keep anything. Mh isn't as expensive as you would think. They are actually the same or cheaper as pc's when you figure in replacment of the bulbs. Over time way cheaper. Those pc lights you have should be changed every 6 months religiously, at a cost of around $50 to $60 for the pair. Metal halide would cost $50 once a year. And there is no comparison in how much better the MH looks.

 

[roadrunner1659]

i would love and know full well the benefits of having MH lights but this being my first tank and also it being in my bedroom of my parents house on the second floor, it not a benefit i can have right now but thats ok b/c i want to have fun with my first tank and see what will work and what wont! Plus for me to get MH i would think it would be smarter to add on a sump and refugium for added water to better balance the temp from the MH and that also is something my parents would rather me not do!

Thanks for your honest opinoun about the clams...and its not a big deal that i cant have one right now...but in the future i will!

question though...with 2x65 watt lighting in a 26 gal tank, what would be the extent of corals i could try?

Thanks

 

[dugg]

Mushrooms, zoos, leathers, just about any soft corals. Just no clams, sps corals, and no anemones.
You are very right about getting the rest of your system set up first, otherwise you would soon have an algae farm instead of a reef. Be sure you change those bulbs every 6 months.

 

[roadrunner1659]

I stay on top of stuff pretty well! Thanks for the input!

 

[JENnKerry]

question though...with 2x65 watt lighting in a 26 gal tank, what would be the extent of corals i could try?

Mushrooms, zoos, leathers, just about any soft corals. Just no clams, sps corals, and no anemones.

Actually he can keep a variety of LPS and some anenomes like BTA. I wouldn't just limit it to softies. I know because I have the same lights on my 20 gallon with various LPS, a few SPS and a GBTA. I would stay away from clams though just because your tank is just not big enough for the likes of a Squamosa or Derasa. They get big. Plus I wouldn't keep any clam under 2x65 watt PC.

 

[DaveAngie79]

i have a bta in my tank same lights he seems fine other than once in awhile he likes to hide but not lately i think he finely found a spot he likes