Maxima clam MH lighting question

[bessycerka]

Hello, this is my first post here, and I was wondering if any experienced reefkeepers could help me find an answer to this. I currently have a tank that is 18 inches deep, and a 400 watt pendant w/pc actinics ( Blue Line ) suspended 18 inches above the tank. I'm getting a few small sized Maxima clams as a gift tomorrow and I wanted to know if I should raise the pendant higher so as not to over illuminate them, or leave it where it is. The bulb is a Hamilton 14K mogul base. I have a sand bed ready with large oyster shells as a base for them right now, the tank is seasoned for 6 months plus and has some other coral in it. Also, how long a duration of time should the clams be illuminated? Thanks

 

[mbbuna]

[welcome]

if the light is 18" above the water you might be ok but i would have some window screening on hand in case the clams disapprove. i would start out with 6 or 8 hours of light and then go from there

 

[bessycerka]

Thanks much