Newbie Clam Qs
- Thread starter Duce
- Start date
To park your clam(s) on the sand or live rock is largely a question of two things 1) clam type and 2) light parameters. Some clams don't need as much light and some need more. Some prefer rock to attach to and some prefer sand. Light being the most important of the two.
And sometimes, you don't have much choice as clams can and sometimes will move to a new location if they are not happy with where they are.
Maxima's and croceas tend to need more light and prefer to attach to rock, so generally better to move them up in the tank on rock, or at least maybe start there.
Deresa, squamos, and gigas tend to need less light and often prefer sand. They can usually be placed on the bottom on the sand bed, assuming adequate lighting.
These are VERY general guidelines to maybe start from. Again, it depends largely on your lighting system.
Supplemental feeding (phytoplankton, zooplankton) will also help tremendously, and may be critical if light is on the inadequate end of the spectrum.
And sometimes, you don't have much choice as clams can and sometimes will move to a new location if they are not happy with where they are.
Maxima's and croceas tend to need more light and prefer to attach to rock, so generally better to move them up in the tank on rock, or at least maybe start there.
Deresa, squamos, and gigas tend to need less light and often prefer sand. They can usually be placed on the bottom on the sand bed, assuming adequate lighting.
These are VERY general guidelines to maybe start from. Again, it depends largely on your lighting system.
Supplemental feeding (phytoplankton, zooplankton) will also help tremendously, and may be critical if light is on the inadequate end of the spectrum.
Legion
New member
Agree with both previous post.
And FWIW- Depending on the route you take (weither to put on LR or SB)depending on the type of clam and lighting. You can let a clam attach to a piece of LR rubble that way if and or when you need to move it you will not damage the clam. If you let one attach to the main reef structure and need to (for some reason or another) move it you can do serious damage by tearing it from its fixed location via its foot.
And FWIW- Depending on the route you take (weither to put on LR or SB)depending on the type of clam and lighting. You can let a clam attach to a piece of LR rubble that way if and or when you need to move it you will not damage the clam. If you let one attach to the main reef structure and need to (for some reason or another) move it you can do serious damage by tearing it from its fixed location via its foot.
Believe it or not, I've recently read some articles that are saying that clams appear to also possibly feed, to a certainly much lesser extent, on zooplankton (very fine).
I totally agree though that all research seems to certainly point to the staple of phytoplankton for clams.
With most of us having various corals and clams in our tanks, we are likely feeding both anyway.
I should have been more clear, my apologies.
I totally agree though that all research seems to certainly point to the staple of phytoplankton for clams.
With most of us having various corals and clams in our tanks, we are likely feeding both anyway.
I should have been more clear, my apologies.
