Is my tank compatible for clams?

[tzylak]

I am considering getting into the world of clams and thinking of purchasing a small Maxima, maybe 1.5 to 2 inches.
I'm doing lots of research, to first bring up the question if it can even be happy in my existing tank? Will my tank be happy with it??
Please help with your opinion from your experience and consider the factors listed below.
I have no problem ditching the sock filter, if necessary, but what else?
Thanks!

Fish: Ocellaris Clown, B&W Clown, Firefish Goby, 6-Line Wrasse, Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Corral Banded Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, Bristle Worms and CUC.
Reef: 150 lb. Sand, 70 lb. Rock, Frog Spawn, Button Polyps, Mushrooms, Kenya Trees, Brain, Leather Toadstool, Cheato and several aiptasias. . . .
Tank: 50g hex with overflow, 20um sock filter, 23 gal sump with DSB, 2 Rio 3100 return pumps, 3 in-tank circulators, 5 UH fluorescent, chiller 650, heater 150W, skimmer 65.
I got the tank on 7/18/2014 but it has been established for over 15 years!! -I added the larger sump after the "œroom" addition.
I do weekly water test and 5-10g changes.
pH 8.0, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 0-10, PO4 0, Ca 360-400, Alk76-8, 77-79F, sg 1.021-23
47 sec. video: http://www.dropbox.com/s/4rzehzt3k3e...arium.wmv?dl=0

 

[MondoBongo]

nothing jumps out at me on your stock list as being a red flag, but i am not familiar with the Coral Banded Shrimp, fire shrimp, or Firefish goby, so you might want to double check on those with someone who keeps them. the other inhabitants look good.

i'm not sure about your lights though, especially for a maxima. looks like the coral on your stock list is all relatively low demand as far as light goes. i don't actually know what 5 UH Fluorescent lights are (are they like T5HO?). maxima are on the more demanding side of the lighting.

you might want to consider a slightly larger specimen. the smaller ones can sometimes be tricky to get established.

if your cal and alk remain stable, they're in a decent range. keep an eye on them thought when the clams goes in, they can use a surprising amount.

i like to run my salinity higher on my reef. 1.025 - 1.026.

as for the filter sock, that's up to you. i removed mine a while back because it was trapping too many pods in it that my mandy could have been eating, but it really doesn't matter one way or the other to clams.

your video link doesn't work.

 

[moliken]

Ca 360-400, sg 1.021-23
these are worrisome
ca needs to be higher. MB is right about salinity. do u use a real hydrometer?
gotta ask ca what test kit u use and how old

 

[Stevenliu9]

In my experience, keeping maxima clam, of all clams is all about lighting, lighting, and lighting. They are best kept at 400W metal halide, or 250W, otherwise intense LED light. VHO T5 bulb might pull it off too if you have enough of them and have the clam toward the top of rock work in the tank. Other than that, maxima clams will slowly perish away with malnutrition. You will likely have the clams for months and then suddenly lose them one day as clams do not have a way to show "skinny" from not enough nutrient. Also, always try to get larger clams when you can, especially as a beginner as small clams are always touchier and are not as hardy as their larger counterparts.