is my tank too small?

[cdcq12]

I have a 24gallon aquapod and wanted to put a clam into it, however i think it might be too small of a tank. Is this true or can i put a clam into it?

 

[nudilove]

Based on my personal experience I would say definitely not! I have a Tridacna Gigas in my tank, hes rather huge for it in my Aquapod at nearly 7 inches and sucks calcium out of the water like you wouldn't believe, but he is very happy, and is one of the clams that can better tolerate low light situations.

 

[billr]

I say go for it. nudilove, how do you replace the calcium in your Aquapod? The reason I ask is because I have several corals in mine and I can't seem to keep the calcium up. I have recently started dosing with Kent Liquid Calcium but it still seems like I can't keep it up much more than 380-400. Any help here please............

 

[nudilove]

I have had really good luck with the Sea Lab 28 Blocks, some people hate them but I tuck them between the blue sponges and the open vent so it gets some flow. I think they work great.

 

[a4twenty]

Re: is my tank too small?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9039489#post9039489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdcq12
I have a 24gallon aquapod and wanted to put a clam into it, however i think it might be too small of a tank. Is this true or can i put a clam into it?

depending on your lighting, one of the smaller species would be fine in a 24g. as stated above you will have to stay on top of your parameters due to the smaller volume of water.

 

[cdcq12]

So what species should I go with?

 

[nudilove]

Gigas require the least lighting of all, and that is what I have in my pod as of now, I am upgrading to the halides this week so I can have Crocea and Maxima.

 

[Peabody]

I personally wouldn't put a gigas or derasa in any small tank, even for a relatively short period of time. Your tank, size wise could house a maxima or crocea, but you would need to upgrade to halides.

 

[reefkoi]

You can put a crocea or maximas in without halides, they stay small. Go with t-5 or halides though. There are plenty of t-5 tanks with croceas, and the most light demanding SPS out there. I dont like hearing "MH only" all the time because there is an alternative for smaller tanks its called T-5 flourescent.

 

[Peabody]

Sure T5s can work, but for a small cube shaped tank a MH bulb would be WAY easier to retrofit. (Or to throw a pendant above the tank)

 

[jmaneyapanda]

not only calcium/alk, but your also have to consider the parameter swings in smaller tanks- ie- salinity, temperature, etc. It is markedly more difficult to keep a clam in a small tank than a large due to these reasons.

Nudilove- gigas does not need the least amount of light. This is a dangerous way to think, also. clams need a lot of light, and figuring out a way to get the bare minimum will likely end in failure. If you want to keep any clam, get as much light as you can, and then consider whether a certain species would be appriopriate.

 

[rharr21]

I have had several spp. clams in a 20L w/250 W 14K MH. They did fine. Stay on top of your chemistry!!! ...until you figure your tank out.

 

[Aliie]

I was referred here to check you guys out. I have a 12 gal nano cube....is there any possibility to convert it's light and have clams?
Or is it just to small?