Newbie clam advise...

[justletmein]

I've been doing (a little) research into clams, mainly maximas. I'd like to ask you guys for a little advise for a beginner at clams. I will be making my first clam purchase in January.

What are the Dos and what are the Don'ts? Any advise from the wise archives of experience is greatly appreciated.

A little info about my system.

125g tank
30g sump
Nautilus skimmer
20g 'fuge w/caulerpa
DSB
165 lbs live rock
Dual 250w HQI DE Ushio 10kK w/320w URI actinic
lightly stocked with various corals
moderate-heavily stocked with various fish
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0. Calcium will be leveled up before purchase.

Lay it on me!

Thanks in advance

 

[MiNdErAsR]

What lights are you running? Water parameters?

 

[justletmein]

Duh! Okay, I edited my post. Sorry, how could I forget the lights?!?

 

[firechild]

Sounds to me like you have the ideal setup for a clam or 3.
When purchasing try to get a specimen over 3". These clams have generally developed the full compliment of symbiotic algae to aquire most of their nutritional needs from photosynthesis. Heavy fish load is probably beneficial due to reasons in the other thread you recently posted - Do I need Nitrates? .

 

[modernsavage]

what fish are in your tank?
some might pick at the mantle such as tangs and butterflies.

 

[justletmein]

what fish are in your tank?
some might pick at the mantle such as tangs and butterflies.

Shoot, I've got two small tangs, yellow and blue. They're both about 3 inches. Other fish are a Coral Beauty, Ocellaris, Fairy Wrasse, 2 Neon Gobies, Gramma.

Do the tangs actually pick on the clam, or the algae on the edge of the shell?

 

[chrisblore]

No, the tangs are not directly going for the mantle or the clam itself, it's just in their nature to constantly pick over their surroundings in search of their food.