keeping clams in a biocube 29

[bugbdon]

hello everyone,
i'm researching some lighting upgrades for my biocube 29 so that i can at somepoint keep clams. i have a few options
a. nanotuners 144w pc upgrade
b.150 w viper unit
c. 150 w sunpod
any suggestions would be a great help, there are pro's and cons to each so i need some help.

also, i'd like to keep this tank up and running for the long haul. is it even a good idea to have clams in it? will a crocea clam out grow it within say....5 years?

 

[mbbuna]

[welcome]

i would go with C the sunpod. croceas max out at 6" so it wont out grow the tank.

 

[bugbdon]

thank you very much, that was the answer i was looking for

 

[basser1]

Hello and WELCOME bugbdon..... I went with another option. I went with the MH 150 watt upgrade from nanotuners. It allows me to have metal halides with 2 double actinics, while keeping the Biocubes' hood! And my maxima is happy as a well....... as a clam!!

 

[bugbdon]

hey there basser1, yeah i just came upon that option too, but the price seems pretty steep. it would be the best option to keep the great look of the bio cube though. thanks!

 

[Skeptic_07]

i've been doing some similar research and i've heard some horror stories about the viper. bulbs dying out very quickly, the unit gets incredibly hot, so hot that it loosens the thumb screws that hold the thing in place, and the whole thing starts to drop down into the water. one guy said he had to tighten it up once a week or else it would do this. pretty scary stuff... of course this is all hearsay but if theres anything i've learned thus far is that you get what you pay for and if something seems like a relly great deal it probably isnt (like a 150w halide fixture for $200) i actually settled on the supod.. hth..

 

[bugbdon]

yeah i think i like the sunpod the best so far. do you use a glass lid or just allow the tank to be open? i'm going to be keeping a shrimp goby and from what i hear they like to jump. any thoughts?

 

[rwbogard]

I would have to say that the sunpod is a better choice as well. Less heat issues, better bulb life, and cool LEDs. The only con would be the reflector in the sunpod is rather crappy, but the Viper is worse. I would go with a Hamilton Tech pendant, if possible. Their products are top of the line for the money. Well worth it IMO.

 

[Shekki]

I have a 150 Sunpod on my nano and keep a 5-6" Teardrop Maxima and a smaller Crocea. All is well. I put some egg crate over the top to keep my 6 line from getting out.

 

[bugbdon]

the egg crate is a good idea, thank you all for the advice

 

[ludiNano]

i went with the sunpod, there isn't to many 30'' fixtures. And i like the 12 moon lights. If your going to drill the tank, go to www.austinoceans.com and they can custom you a 6x4x5 overflow box for $70. It blocks less light, you could have them custom any size at a good price.

 

[bugbdon]

Thanks for the input, I do have a question for you though. I know the intense lighting is needed for the clams but will it hurt soft corals? I'd love to have a few polyps and maybe a leather.

 

[ludiNano]

they should be fine you just don't want them high on the reef.

 

[bugbdon]

another quick question. would a maxima get too big for my 29 gallon? and would it be possible to keep 2 clams? either crocea or maxima?

 

[basser1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11664783#post11664783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bugbdon
another quick question. would a maxima get too big for my 29 gallon? and would it be possible to keep 2 clams? either crocea or maxima?

Gosh I hope not! I have a maxima in my 29 gallon Biobube!