First clam-derasa

[TracyZeuner]

I just got my first clam, a nice big derasa. I am running T5 lights and I have him half way up the tank on a rock. The lights put out about 560 watts. My question is can they do well up on a rock. I've read some post and it looks like they like the sand. I just thought closer to the light would be better.
Is this common-The clam was in a tank with metal halides and it had a nice orange color to it. Under the T5's, it is kinda just brown. On the road right now but will post a picture when I get back in town.

 

[a4twenty]

maybe different bulbs? halides could have been 10K, 14K or 20K and depending on which bulbs your using it could look different. did you look straight down on the clam at the store? they could of had different glass ( low iron )

i just got a dersa too :spin1:

oh yeah and he's probablly gonna get to big to stay up on the rocks for long.

 

[TracyZeuner]

I'm just worried that if I put him in the sand he might be to far away from the lights. They are right on top of the tank, so if it were on the sand it would be about 20 in from light. I have a 4-5in sand bed and the tank is 24in deep

 

[a4twenty]

and his mantel would be another 4" above that. i would try him on the bottom and just watch for any distress ( color loss or over extesion of his mantel). luckily dersa's have a lower light requirement and he will probably be alright. you may not even have a choice, my clams tend to move where they want without even checking with me :mixed: