Is stability being overlooked because of the lighting issues?

[Hammer]

It seems that no one is bringing up concerns about the stability of their system. Rather, it is always a question of whether the lighting is enough and or correct.
I think for some clams especially (crocea), the stability of the system plays a major role in the health of our beloved clams.
Also take the gigas for instance. This clam comes from deep water. So it doesn't nearly need the same light that the maxima or crocea would, but unlike the maxima, the gigas has a very low tolerance for changes in all water parameters.
For this reason I stay away from Crocea. I easily have enough light, knowledge, alk and CA. But things like a DSB, and a full system that is teaming with life, a crocea is not the best choice.
It does lead for a great environment for a gigas though, and mine has been more then happy in my tank so far.
And I think that some of the deeper, lower light clams also require a stable system.
So things like water top off in a 300 gallon tank vs a 20 gallon tank become serious issues for these clams. But it would seem to be that we are consistently giving advice on how and what the lighting should be, and neglecting to mention and mentor all the other needs of these wonderful creatures.
I know I have taken for granted someone's system when asked questions before. It seems that we can never know enough about someone's system to give truly sounds advice without studying it, analyzing it, and finding out all the oddities of each individual setup. But that shouldn't stop us from answering or advising those that are new to this world of giant clams.
We as humans tend to hang onto what we first learn. And like most things in salt water, it is all about balance.

Of course, if you were to follow all the 'rules' for keeping clams, you would almost inevitably end up with a clam only tank. So we try new combinations. We ask questions, we learn. But we can only teach or advise on what we learn and live by.

Just my thought for the day.

 

[jim norris]

Hammer,
You are awesome! I am all for the clam only tank! Hey this weekend the wife and children are away. Come on over I can use your help testing those bulbs and taking pictures.
Jim

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Nice theory but...
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=78459


As far as advise, we can only work with the information provided. The more details in the question, the better the answer we can provide (for the most part). As mentioned in other threads, clams appear to be more tolerant then we tend to give them credit for. However, I do agree that a stable environment should be provided. Normally this would be in a mature tank (one year or more).

Also, I don't think water topoff is a concern unless you're dumping a bucket of RO/DI water directly on the clam. My 120g evaporates ~2.5-3 gallons a day. How much affect does this have on salinity? I don't know, but I think it's negligible.

I do try to add topoff water to a high flow area, and I do pour slowly. Hopefully this would allow the fresh water to be sufficiently mixed with saltwater by the time it reaches any of my creatures.

Temperature of topoff water *might* be a concern. I know mine is kept at room temperature, so it's always cooler then the tank water. But again, 2.5-3 gallons in 120?

Excellent thread. Hopefully we'll see more responses. I'm definitely interested in hear other peoples take on this.

 

[Hammer]

Jim, you are right, these are TOUGH creatures. I fully agree here.
But being the type of creature they are, and how they deal with salinity, constant changes in their environment (for the ones that are not used to this), can be detrimental over the long run.
3 gallons in your 120 is only a 2.5% total volume difference. It will be hard to change the water volume that much.
But imagine people with small tanks and metal halide and lots of fans.
Of course, for clams like the gigas, your water addition all at once is most likely noticed.
I personally evap around 2+ gallons a day with a system volume around 100 to 110 gallons. All topoff is added in 30 minute intervals throughout the 24 hour period with a peristaltic pump.

And yes, they are tough. But it is like have someone turn the AC on, then the heat on. We are tough enough, but it is not a comfortable invironment.
The larger clams can live out of water for hours.

And yes, we don't know what people's systems are like.
But when we answer one question, and it is usually pretty obvious when asked by a newbie, it is pretty easy to also simply state that there are other conditions to be met.
I don't think we need to harp on this part, but with almost ALL attention going to what lighting is provided. Giving out other information tends to get neglected.

 

[jim norris]

Hammer,
What do you think happens on (in) the reef when it rains. I wonder for that period of time there has to be a SG change? Also temp. change?
Jim

 

[Hammer]

True. But which clams are going to see this change?
The gigas will RARELY see a change, and especially a 'rapid' change. Which ends up being the major thing here. Not that there is a change taking place, but how quickly it takes place.
Some clams are normally located near stream run offs, or turbulent waters. But many more of our giant clams are usually located in more stable locations.
And having the SG change once in a while is normal. They can handle that. But with our systems. These changes can sometimes happen multiple times every day.
Your wonder clams survived a terrible journey for them. But I doubt if you did it again, right after you got them, that they would survive again. This is just an extremely exaggerated example, but still shows that all these little changes take a toll on the clams (and everything we keep in truth).

 

[jim norris]

Hammer,
I agreed that the maximas and croecas (which are closer to the top) would have the ability to deal with this more than the deep water giants. Interesting to know how it affects them if any?
Jim
P.S. Bring that gigas back to my home and we will try some experiments!!!!!

 

[toptank]

As far a T. Crocea go, I can only quote what Daniel Knop wrote to me in a letter not long ago as we were discussing Maxima's and Crocea's

T. Crocea is definitely durable and under proper conditions it can be maintained in a reef tank. Just make sure that it does not get too many floating particles when you stir up sediments in the gravel. This species easily gets clogged gills. They like clear and clean water.

I have 2 T. Crocea's in my 180 SPS/clam tank and they have been there for 8 months and doing well.

Barry