My first clam - what should it be?

[gcvt]

Hi all. I've read just about every post by now, and I think I'm ready to try a clam in my 100g (specs below).

Any suggestions for a first clam?

Also, I've read about clams on reefkeeping.com, wetwebmedia.com, etc. Any other helpful links for a clam newbie?

Thanks!

 

[SeanT]

Before getting a clam remember to already have some phyto ready...unlike me.
My first, and only, clam is a Crocea. They seem to be relatively easy to care for.
Good curren, good lighting, and phyto.

 

[gcvt]

Before getting a clam remember to already have some phyto ready...unlike me.
My first, and only, clam is a Crocea. They seem to be relatively easy to care for.
Good curren, good lighting, and phyto.

Oh, good point. Forgot to mention that I always have a supply of fresh DT's on hand and I'm starting my own little phyto culture station...thanks to Flame*Angel's website.

Are Crocea's any easier or more difficult than Maxima's, for example? Or Squamosa's? Or all they all equally difficult?

Thanks

 

[Potsy]

I would think that if you have ideal water and lighting conditions in your aquarium, and purchased healthy specimens, then theoretically they should all be equally easy to keep. From what I've read, the order - from easiest to most difficult - is as follows: derasa - squamosa - maxima - crocea. I don't know about gigas but I wouldn't bother keeping a clam that would eventually outweigh my Honda.

 

[griss]

Croceas can be touchy for first time clam keepers. Sean, I think you either got lucky or just really concentrated on keeping your's healthy.

I agree with Potsy when it comes to the order of ease keeping clams....Derase, Squamis, Maximas and Croceas.

FWIW, Croceas are my favorites.

George

 

[firechild]

Clams are extremely hardy animals. I only have experience with maximas and squamosas but they have survived through pretty much everything except one incident I can't explain where both my maxima and squamosa that were in a 25G tank tank went from perfectly healthy one night to rotten the next morning for no apparant reason.
The 5 I currently have in my 80G have gone through pH spikes, temp spikes and some pretty bad spells where I have lost corals and even snails.
They are physiologically capable of surviving pretty much any detrimental conditions in a tank where some of the tank inhabitants die.
I agree with griss, croceas are the nicest and the best thing is they are limited to about 15cm length.

 

[Jimbo327]

Get a clam that is 3+ inches, so the clam is more mature and therefore can use lighting as the only source of food if you are not feeding phyto, and feeding heavily.

Some people take the small clams out and put it into a small cup of tank water and target feed with phyto. Generally, larger clams are easier to take care of.

Hope this helps.

Jim

 

[simon.007]

Tridacna maxima clams

Tridacna maxima clams

Hi,
I have 2 Tridacna maxima clams, do they require extreamly strong lighting, like MH 250W ?

Thanks
Simon

 

[cal3v]

A 150w DE or 175w SE would work for those maximas.

 

[simon.007]

DE / SE?

DE / SE?

Sorry what is DE and SE?

 

[gcvt]

Well, I've spent the last week researching clams in great detail and I've decided to try a Maxima - I just like the way they look

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any great specimens in local stores yet. I'm not in any huge hurry though - if I don't find what I want locally within a few weeks, I'll probably order online.

Thanks for all the advice...I'll keep ya posted.

 

[diablofish]

DE = double ended halide
SE = single ended halide

HTH.

 

[Dean812]

I'd go Crocea.