My clams don't open as much as they should

[RayD]

I keep a small 2" Squamosa and a little bigger 4.5" Derasa in my 72 bow front. They really don't open as much as I'd like or as much as they did when I first got them.

They're under 2x250w Metal Halides with Actinic suppliment. Calcium usually aroun 400 or so. I feed DT's Phyto every other day. I keep the Squamosa on a flat rock and the Derasa in the sand.

Any thoughts of what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks in advance ...

 

[mbbuna]

how far do you think they should open?

do you have a pic?

 

[RayD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7809969#post7809969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbbuna
how far do you think they should open?

do you have a pic?

The only pics I have is when I first got them and they looked better. I'll snap a couple tonight and post.

Thanks ...

 

[RayD]

Here's a shot of the Squamosa ...

 

[mbbuna]

looks fine to me.

if the clam is getting enough light it doesnt need to open up very very wide. also if there is a lot of flow over and around the clam they may not open as wide

 

[RayD]

I read that in another thread. You had posted some links for reading. Actually made me feel better. Great reading.

I'll post one of the Derasa later tonight if you wouldn't mind taking a peek at it. When I bought it, it had considerable white growth marks on the shell. It doesn;t have those any more but doesn;t show any real signs of stress either.

Could be a flow thing too. I do have alot of movement in the reef.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[mbbuna]

what your Ca/Alk and Mg?

whats your PO4?

what K is your MH?

 

[RayD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7810966#post7810966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbbuna
what your Ca/Alk and Mg?

whats your PO4?

what K is your MH?

CA runs on an average of about 400. Alk at 8. Never tested Mg.

My cheapo PO4 kit shows me in the normal range. <1

10000K 250w MH. Well they're Aqualine bulbs so they shine more like 13000K.

 

[mbbuna]

how long have you had the clam that isnt showing any new growth?

 

[RayD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7811289#post7811289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbbuna
how long have you had the clam that isnt showing any new growth?

I'd say around six weeks.

 

[mbbuna]

Oh, ok i would give it more time to show some growth

 

[RayD]

Well it looks like the Derasa had pretty much had it.

It has retracted way into the shell and the shell has been closed for a couple of days now. The mouth part is way gaping.

Very bummed out. Is 2x250 MH lighting too much for this species? It was placed on the bottom of a 72 bow under that lighting.

I can't think of why this specimin would do so poorly unless it wasn't in the greatest of health when purchased from the LFS. SE bulbs have a UV sheild if I'm not mistaken. I was thinking UV poisoning maybe. I don't know. Very frustrating.

On the up side the Squamosa is doing <bold>MUCH</bold> better.

 

[mbbuna]

Derasa' will do fine with that lighting

 

[RayD]

I don't know then.

I guess the animal just wasn't well to begin with.

 

[RayD]

Yet another day and the Derasa shows no signs of improvment. Still closed up but definitely not a gonner yet.

I can still see mantle in there somewhere.