ezcompany
Premium Member
Due to the numerous questions on this topic and issue, I hope this post will answer the entry level questions on lighting. The only stickies we have in the clam forum are somewhat outdated and is hosted by a commercial website. Most of the information below is based on personal experience and experiences shared by other fellow clam lovers.
Tridacnid Lighting Requirements:
Tridacna Crocea
These clams require the most light of the Tridacna family. They occur in the wild mostly in very clear waters less than 15 feet in depth. The minimum lighting requirement for a healthy crocea is under a 150 watt metal halide of a reliable 14k bulb at a maximum depth of less than 20 inches. To be on the safer side, a 10k bulb is recommended, and is closer to the "true" color of natural sunlight. Again, 150 watts of metal halides are a minimum, the recommended lighting for them is at least a 250 watt metal halide. If using T-5s, make sure the bulbs have individual parabolic reflectors on them, and the clam is placed at the very least in the upper half of your tank. Power Compacts will in 99% of cases NOT suffice to Croceas and Maximas.
Tridacna Maxima
These clams require almost as much light as Croceas if not as much. They have a maximum depth of occurence slightly deeper than Croceas, but are again mostly found in very clean and shallow waters. The best bet is to place them in the same lighting conditions as you would light a crocea.
Tridacna Squamosa
These clams are much more forgiving in terms of light than the upper two tridacna species. Assuming they are not placed in a nano due to the size they can reach, they will be happy under metal halides of some sort, but will suffice with vhos, or even power compact lighting. There is no exact number for the wattage of the bulbs, but anything above 100 watts of compact flourescents will be acceptable in depths less than 20 inches.
Tridacna Deresa
These clams are even more forgiving in terms of light than Squamosas, but again they will be happier with the lighting requirement given to Squamosas.
Tridacna Gigas
Can suffice with the least amount of light compared to the rest of the tridacna species. They can thrive under pc lighting, but again will be happier with lighting closer to that of its natural environment. Some people have claimed tremendous growth under metal halides.
Other notes:
People claim that croceas and maximas can survive under power compacts. These cases are far and few between, but there are certain individuals that are able to tolerate lower lightings, at which most of their counterparts would not be able to survive. Nevertheless, you should not take the risk and hope to get lucky, it is better to be prepared to give them what they will surely thrive in.
Tridacnid Lighting Requirements:
Tridacna Crocea
These clams require the most light of the Tridacna family. They occur in the wild mostly in very clear waters less than 15 feet in depth. The minimum lighting requirement for a healthy crocea is under a 150 watt metal halide of a reliable 14k bulb at a maximum depth of less than 20 inches. To be on the safer side, a 10k bulb is recommended, and is closer to the "true" color of natural sunlight. Again, 150 watts of metal halides are a minimum, the recommended lighting for them is at least a 250 watt metal halide. If using T-5s, make sure the bulbs have individual parabolic reflectors on them, and the clam is placed at the very least in the upper half of your tank. Power Compacts will in 99% of cases NOT suffice to Croceas and Maximas.
Tridacna Maxima
These clams require almost as much light as Croceas if not as much. They have a maximum depth of occurence slightly deeper than Croceas, but are again mostly found in very clean and shallow waters. The best bet is to place them in the same lighting conditions as you would light a crocea.
Tridacna Squamosa
These clams are much more forgiving in terms of light than the upper two tridacna species. Assuming they are not placed in a nano due to the size they can reach, they will be happy under metal halides of some sort, but will suffice with vhos, or even power compact lighting. There is no exact number for the wattage of the bulbs, but anything above 100 watts of compact flourescents will be acceptable in depths less than 20 inches.
Tridacna Deresa
These clams are even more forgiving in terms of light than Squamosas, but again they will be happier with the lighting requirement given to Squamosas.
Tridacna Gigas
Can suffice with the least amount of light compared to the rest of the tridacna species. They can thrive under pc lighting, but again will be happier with lighting closer to that of its natural environment. Some people have claimed tremendous growth under metal halides.
Other notes:
People claim that croceas and maximas can survive under power compacts. These cases are far and few between, but there are certain individuals that are able to tolerate lower lightings, at which most of their counterparts would not be able to survive. Nevertheless, you should not take the risk and hope to get lucky, it is better to be prepared to give them what they will surely thrive in.
