My first clams!

[littlefishee]

We bought our first clams yesterday at a lfs. We have one 6 inch crocea, and one 4 inch Marshall islands squamosa. The guy who sold them to us said he takes them out of the tank and puts them in a container and feeds them DT's and RotiRich 2 times a week for 20 mins at a time. Another guy, who is the owner of another lfs told me that clams feed on nitrate and are mainly photosynthetic. A book that I have says that they are strictly photosynthetic. I placed them about 20 inches away from 4 x 96 watt 50/50 p.c.'s on the rocks. What is the story on these clams, will they survive in my tank?
I tried to post a pic, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to resize it.
Any advice you can give me I'll appreciate it, but I'm kind of sick of getting a bunch of conflicting info. Thanks everyone!

 

[brianlena2000]

At those sizes (6" and 4") the clams rely on lighting to meet their needs. 4x96 watt pc's on a 125 gallon tank will not be enough light for a crocea.

The squamosa is less light demanding (but that will still be low lighting even for a squamosa IMO).

 

[brianlena2000]

Just noticed the other tank sizes in your signature. Which tank is this?

 

[a.p.17]

brian is right, that is not very much light. clams that size rely very much , if not all, on the light and they need very intense light at that. some people can pull off having croceas and maximas under pc's and i wish you the best of luck. keep us posted

 

[littlefishee]

Thanks for your honest opinions. I am considering upgrading the lights. I can't help but feel ****ed off that the guy at the LFS told me that they are filter feeders and my lights are fine.
a.p.17: What area in South Florida are you from? We are in the West Lake Worth/west Boynton area.

 

[littlefishee]

Brian, the tank is a 110 tall. What should I consider upgrading to?

 

[Fish-o-holic]

I would consider adding MH and using your PC's for actinics. That's what I did. You could get away with 2 250w MH and use 2 96W PC's. Just be sure you hang the lights at least 8-12" above the water line.

 

[littlefishee]

I don't think I can get mh for this tank, it has a closed canopy, and the construction is screwy. I am going to add more pc's probably 1 32 watt 50/50 lamp and 1 50 watt daylight lamp. I don't think I have any other options at this point. I think I will go with my gut (something I haven't done for a while) and get more pc's and concentrate on keeping my water quality perfect.

 

[David Thomson]

littlefishee, Just curious about how your clams are doing under the pc's. Are they still doing ok?

 

[a.p.17]

i live in pembroke pines and work in ft. lauderdale. sorry i took so long to answer.

 

[littlefishee]

David, the squamosa is doing very well and has found a nice little spot in the sand. However, the crocea is not so well, it's starting to get a little pale, and has white in the center. But it attached to a rock at the top of the rockwork, so it could be worse.
I ordered 4 VHO's from hellolights, but the ballast is not working. They can ship me a new one, but it won't be here for a week or so. I'll have to hope that this clam can make it...