Has anyone ever heard of a Cleaner clam? I found it on www.saltwaterfish.com and it stated that will lower nitrates as it feeds.
Cleaner Clam
- Thread starter ZachStep
- Start date
greenbean36191
Premium Member
They're nothing more than common steamer clams you can get at the seafood market. Giant clams can lower nitrate because their zooxanthellae use it as fertilzer. As the clams metabolize amino acids the end product is nitrogenous waste that also gets absorbed by the zooxanthellae. Since the clam's waste is recycled there can be a net reduction of nitrate. These "cleaner clams" have no zooxanthellae, so rely entirely on phytoplankton for food- phytoplankton you would have to add to the tank. After they metabolize their food, the nitrogenous waste is released into the water.
So the short answer is that they won't decrease nitrate. Since they require feeding they actually increase the nitrate that would otherwise be in the tank.
So the short answer is that they won't decrease nitrate. Since they require feeding they actually increase the nitrate that would otherwise be in the tank.
blackheart
New member
you just made that up greenbean
papagimp
COMAS Rocks!
I have one in my tank, but in order to do anygood, according to saltwaterfish.com you need one for every few square inches of sandspace. My one hasn't done crap for nitrates, lol. but I got him just cause I wanted a cool, non photosynthetic clam in the tank. Oh, and if you are thinking about getting one, keep in mind that you'll never see the bugger. diggs down about 3-4 inches into the sandbed and at most you may see it's mouth or "other end" sticking up out of the substrate. it's still cool to have one though, lol.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
I spent most of last year studying nitrogen uptake and cycling.
boomsticks
New member
WHo's the chick greenbean? =)
Listen to the greenbean, he's right. That picture looks like a common east coast Mercenaria mercenaria, aka Quahog in New England For comparison sake, I'll take a picture of one with my cell phone and post after I get home tonight.
They are filter feeders that require lots of phytoplankton, I'd recommend Isochrysus. They will do nothing to reduce nitrates as they have no mechanism to remove nitrates from the water.
For comparison sake, I'll take a picture of one with my cell phone and post after I get home tonight.They are filter feeders that require lots of phytoplankton, I'd recommend Isochrysus. They will do nothing to reduce nitrates as they have no mechanism to remove nitrates from the water.
As promised.
While it's a cell phone picture, compare it the clam being sold in that link as a "cleaner" clam. Same type of clam
They are native to the altlantic coast, and not the southern part. They like cold water as well as lots of phyto. The one in my picture is from Long Island, NY. Should someone have doubts and want a better picture, just say the word and I'll bring my camera to work next week and take a good picture
While it's a cell phone picture, compare it the clam being sold in that link as a "cleaner" clam. Same type of clam
They are native to the altlantic coast, and not the southern part. They like cold water as well as lots of phyto. The one in my picture is from Long Island, NY. Should someone have doubts and want a better picture, just say the word and I'll bring my camera to work next week and take a good picture IronNipples
In Memoriam
I would be afraid the thing would croak and I would never know it...:lol:
