Maxima's died

[smarrone]

Just lost my second Maxima in 10 days. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but I lost the first one right after I put a small emerald crab in the tank. Put the emerald in and the next morning the clam was emptied out. Replaced w/ another Maxima, whose empty shell I found this morning. I know crabs of any sort will eat dead meat up, but is it possible for an emerald to kill a healthy clam?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Peabody]

No...99.9% they will not eat a healthy clam, but never say never. I think we need detailed specs on your system...lights, size, chemistry to help you out. Can you please provide these?

 

[smarrone]

That's kind of reassuring. My system: Lighting is (2) 150W HQI 10K Ushio, w/ 200W 03 Actinics. Tank 100gl 48"L x 20"H x 24"W,
PH 8.07, Calc 370 ppm, 10.5 dKH, SG 1.023, water flow via a Tunze 6000 stream. Clams were in low flow area on 1 " sand bed. I have been raising calc to accommodate clams, should be 425 in the next couple days. Water temp 78-79 degrees. Filtration is CPR Aquafuge Pro w/ miracle mud, skimmer 50/50 cycle. Couple of Yellow Tangs, 2 Blue Dot puffers, 3 clowns, 4 yellow tail damsels. Red legged hermits, blue legged hermits, 1 emerald, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. Couple of urchins. I think that's it for now.

Thanks, Sam

 

[Peabody]

Hmmm....nothing seems really off....a few things are a tad low, but you know that, I'm sure.

Th one thing that could be a real problem is the salinity IF you are measuring with a hydrometer. Hydrometers are horribly innacurate. If yours is off on the low end then your salinty could be much lower...the fish would be ok, but it would spell death for the clams if it is really lower than 1.023.

How long were the clams in your system before death?

 

[smarrone]

First clam was in about a week, the second one went in on Monday and passed away sometime after 2:00am Thursday morning. Interesting about the salinity, my hydrometer does have a small crack in the bottom.

Sam

 

[Peabody]

Hydormeters are horribly inaccurate. Buy a refractometer ASAP. It wouldn't surprise me if your salinity is way lower than 1.023....low enough to kill clams, but not fish.

 

[smarrone]

Will chk around for refractometers asap!
Thanks,
Sam

 

[MarkBronder]

Check out the Foster and Smith website. I bought a refractormeter, "Doctors Choice" for around $50.00 on sale. My hydrometer was reading. 1.027 +\-. The refractometer has read a consistent 1.024