Lighting for Maximas ???

[LQT]

I know that MH lighting is best for maxima clams, but I don't have MH lights in my tank. What I do have are 4 X 55 and 2 X 96, for a grand total of 412 watts of power compact lighting for a 75g tank.

Is this sufficient to sustain a maxima or crocea? I've got a squamosa down on the sand bed and he's doing fine, but I also realize that he doesn't need as much light.

Any wisdom on the subject is much appreciated.

 

[SeanT]

Here is a good read.
Maxima Clams.

 

[LQT]

Thanks for the reading, very informative. However it still doesn't answer the question as to whether I can or cannot keep a maxima under my lighting conditions.

I certainly don't want to get a maxima if my lights can't handle it, but if it can, I'm all for it... Would placement high up in the tank help?

 

[Potsy]

I think if you place a maxima higher up in the tank it should do ok. I wouldn't put a crocea in there. Take a look at the tank of the month; he's keeping a small maxima under 4 n.o. bulbs. - it's a smaller clam though with a thin mantle and an appetite for dissolved organics and phytoplankton. As clams age and grow, their mantles grow thicker and more dependent on high intensity lighting.

 

[firechild]

I wouldn't put a maxima under anything but MH lighting. They are found in only the top few metres on the reef and a lot are actually on exposed reef flats indicating their high light requirements. Bleaching in clams is particularly difficult to rectify once it begins, I have a clam that bleached very slightly over a year ago and still hasn't fully regained colour in that area even under 400W MH. Because of this, I think the risk is too great.

 

[LQT]

Thanks of the input guys.

I guess I'll wait upgrade my system to MH lights before getting any of the more light dependent clams. In the meantime, I'll just stick to the Squamosas and Derasas.