i would like to get a clam

[jakano]

hi all before i get started i apologize for any questions that have been posted a hundred times already. ok here goes

i have a 40 gallon acrylic tank with a 20 gallon sump/refugium.
it is 15" tall 36" wide 16" front to back.
Lighting is one single end 13k 175w metal halide in a sunlight supply pendant. The light is probably 23" off the sand 8" off water surface.80 pounds of live rock 3"sand bed. Various soft corals and a bluvelvet damsel,very small yellow tang, and a lawnmower blenny.

I would love to get a clam to place on the sand and i am leaning towards a small maxima cause from what i have read they are slow growers and i have a small tank.Will my light be enough to support one.Also from what i have found here on RC you guys feed them something called DT what is this.
What kinds of elements do i need to suplement for a clam.
any links you guys could throw my way to help in my clam education i would be most grateful.I will continue researching as much as i can while i eagerly await your answers.

Thank you very much

 

[Scuba Dog]

jakano

A small max would do ok on the sand, place it over a small flat rock so it can atach its bysal gland to it. DT's is live photoplankton, any live photo would do. You can culture your own its way less expensive to do that. The smaller the clam the more dependent it is on photplankton, as it grows it will need to be place up higher in the tank, unless you bump up to a 250 watt halide or a more intense light system. keep you water quality high. Ca should be over 400ppm alk should be at least 9.5 DHK...your PH should be stable around a 8.2 to 8.4...no ammonia or nitrite...a little nitrate would be bennifical but not necessary..avoind angles and pyrmid snails and large bristle worms, they all prey on clams...