Derasa not opening anymore.

[respite]

Ive had a 5 inch derasa for a few weeks. Its placed on the rocks, directly under a 175 watt 14k bulb. My halides are 6 inches above the water, and the clam is about 10 inches under the water.

It fully extended its mantle from the day i got it, up until about three days ago. Now its hardly opening, and only extending a small portion of the mantle.

Only fish in the tank is a yellow tang, and a firefish. Ive never seen the tang go anywhere near it. I cant see any signs of nips or tears. I have a few hermits in the tank, but have not seem them bother it either.

Ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites are all 0. Calcium is around 400-420. My ph has been low for a while, it will swing from 7.9 to 8.0 or so. Temp hovers around 80 day and night. There has been no change in my corals or other inverts. Everything else seems fine.

I dont know why its not happy anymore. Should i move it to the bottom of the tank? Let it stay where it is and wait? Move it to someone elses tank?

I much rather get rid of it than watch it die.

 

[mbbuna]

is there any way to post a pic?

 

[amheck]

I'm totally new to this, so I may be talking out of my a**, but don't derasa's like to be on the sand?

 

[mbbuna]

thats where most people keep them, but they a re fine in the rocks also. clams dont have a brain so they dont know what they like

 

[respite]

I dont have a digital camera, so no way for a picture.

 

[mbbuna]

what is your Alk?
have you checked for pyram snails?

 

[respite]

Ive never checked my alk. Dont have a test kit so im really not sure. I have checked for snails and other critters on the clam. I even spent some time last night at 3am with a flashlight. Nothing but pods running everywhere.

My bulbs are 11 months old. Its the only thing i can think of that may be the problem.

Like i said, everything else is fine. Its just the clam thats not happy. I dont know, but if the alk is not right, wouldnt it show in my corals or other inverts as well?

 

[mbbuna]

its hard to say what would show it first. get a Alk and Mg test kit and get Ca/Alk,Mg all in line. your just about due for a bulb change but i doubt thats it. do you add anything for Alk or Mg? Im betting thats the problem.

Read this.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

and then use this to get everything in line.

http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

 

[ranceego]

eric, you need to test you alk regular, any fluctuation could cause this. clams can be pesty at times, did you move it. A sudden change of light may do it.

 

[JIM260]

My guess is your yellow tang is skimming mucus off the mantle and causing it to close. You will not see any marks. I am facing same issue I believe.

 

[Peabody]

I'd strongly suggest test ALK too....that is so crucial for clams, and I bet your's is low.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Hey Sushi, Hope things are looking better? BTW, I use salifert for alk.-- but Brandon has a KH test kit for really cheap.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

mbbuna, Great post of pics on the killer snails! I had a few around in my last tank, untill, I got a leapord wrase! pyramids do not stand a chance! :thumbsup: ( but now, no small snail stand a chance )

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6246165#post6246165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie Davidson
mbbuna, Great post of pics on the killer snails! I had a few around in my last tank, untill, I got a leapord wrase! pyramids do not stand a chance! :thumbsup: ( but now, no small snail stand a chance )

thanks but its not my pic. i stole it from another board just because it is such a good pic of them