new maxima clam, paranoid

[bmoons]

i got a 4" blue maxima clam on sunday and he was healthy looking at the place a got him from, no gaping, mantle fully extended and he had been in the holding tank since november so he wasnt newly shipped. as i was drip acclimating him he was open the entire time (acclimated for about 1.5 hours) and when i put him in the tank he immediately opened up. then about 3-4 hours after wards his mantle appeared kind of folded and still kind of looks like that. maybe im just paranoid after reading a lot of pinched mantle stuff but any help would be appreciated.
tank parameters are:

2x 175w MH 14k
Ca- 410
Alk- 8.0 dKH
NO3- undetectable
PO3- ~0.03
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite-0
SG- 1.024
Temp- 78 F

Heres a pic:

 

[a4twenty]

that is a crocea and it does look like PM

are you running a GFO ( Fe based phosphate remover ) or other Fe based media?? if yes remove it.

if you're not already start running carbon, lots of carbon and i would be prepared to do a FWD but try to answer the other questions first.

 

[bmoons]

well i wasnt running an Fe based PO3 remover but i was using PhosGuard by Seachem which i believe uses Aluminum or something along those lines? anyways i removed it as well and added a LOT of carbon to the filter bag and have it in my sump baffles so it gets a lot of water flow. is there anything else i should do but wait? and how would a FWD, which i assume means fresh water dip, be done?

 

[a4twenty]

if you aren't dosing anything with iron in it and the carbon doesn't help, you are going to have to do the FWD. try to post another top down picture and list your other inhabitants just to be sure.

for the FWD use RODI water heated to match the tank temperature, you can try to match the tanks pH but it is tough with just RODI and don't use an air stone. dip ( fully submerge ) the clam for 20 minutes and try to bath the clam with the water by rocking the container back and forth. you can also use a turkey baster to try and gently get the water in everywhere. then return the clam to the tank.


PS: a FWD can be very stressful for the clam, this is why i am suggesting some other treatments first

 

[bmoons]

here are the top down photos, he seems to be doing a little bit better today, not as pinched as it was.
other tank mates include:

2x occelaris clowns
royal gramma
firefish
orange spot goby
3 green reef chromis
emerald crab
blue and red hermit crabs
nassarius, astrea, turbo, trochus snails
SPS, openbrain, sarcophyton toadstool, GSP, finger leather

 

[a4twenty]

if you think he looks better you could hold off but if he starts going the other way be ready to dip. change the carbon out in a few days and keep a close eye on him.

 

[bmoons]

so if i have to dip i dont have to match pH? should i use a buffer in the FW to try to up pH?
thanks for all the help

 

[a4twenty]

it would be best if you could match the pH but you don't have to. it is just touch getting it stable with only the RODI water.

 

[bmoons]

i did the dip last night, 20 mins in equal temperature ro/di water. i didnt bother trying to set the ph as i didnt wanna over shoot in such a small amount of water. i gently blew water over him and in the crack of his shell with a turkey baster to get the water everywhere. he closed up tight but was already attached to the oyster shell i had him sitting on which i thought was a good sign. i took him out and he began opening but all of my nassarius snails immediately popped out and were all over him, so i put them in the sump over night and made a box out of egg crate for while i was at school. the cleaner shrimp seemed interested in him so i thought better safe than sorry. anyways when i got home today he looks 200% better. maybe a little gaping but i figure thats understandable after the stressful FWD. heres a pic, and its for sure a crocea? thanks for all the help with this matter

 

[a4twenty]

glad to hear he looks much better.

keep an eye on him and keep the predators away if you can. you may have to dip again but only time will tell.

 

[Amazon4]

wow, what a difference - great job!