Do I have enough light to buy a clam?

[willewonka]

I have an 85 gallon tank that's 24" tall, and I have an aquactinics TX5 fixture (5 T5 bulbs 195W total). I'm wondering if I have enough light for a clam. I would really like to get one, but only if I can support one. I know that Deresa are lower light clams, but prefer to be on the sand, and my tank is 24" deep. I also know that crocea clams are high level light clams, but can be put on the rock work.

Water parameters are all good.

 

[quicksilverq]

your are better off with a deresa.

 

[boxerzz]

with good reflectors and light not more than 10" above the water surface, crocea can still be possible IMHO.

 

[IslandCrow]

Aquactinics is certainly one of the better brands, so you're probably good, especially with a derasa. That's not the solar flare, is it? If so, I daresay you can even keep a crocea towards the bottom of your tank. By the way, derasa's are just fine on the rockwork, and it's really best not to put them directly on the sand unless you place a flat rock or other hard substance beneath them so they can attach to it.

 

[gcpowers]

I have those same T5 lights in the 36" size in my 46 gallon bowfront. My tank is around 22" deep. I have a Maxima that is doing wonderfully in my tank. He is about half way down attached to the rocks and very happy. Those T5s will put out enough light to keep any clam you choose. Just put the higher light requirement species up higher in your live rock.

Gpow

 

[clamdigs]

Any clam is going to do better with halides unless the halides are SERIOUSLY close.

I wouldn't test anything outside of a Gigas, Squamosa or Derasa (mentioned above though.

 

[gcpowers]

Willie, check out the "Lighting Requirements for Tridacnids" sticky thread in this forum. It will answer all your questions. People who say T5s are not adequate do not speak from personal experience.

Gpow

 

[clamdigs]

I have kept several thousand clams under T5s.

The issue that I have is there is a difference in a ZTS system from a clam that has basically a "smaller-thicker" ZTS system as opposed to one that has a more complex ZTS system.

If I keep trying to STUFF Zooxanthellae into an area to gain more food from light that isn't big enough, eventually the Zooxanthellae are going to find another way to feed.