Newbie Clam Question

[Seaworthy]

I asked this on the newbie forum but didn't get a real satisfying answer, I'm thinking about getting a squamosa clam but, of course, have concerns. I have 4x65W PC lights (260W total 2-10K & 2-actinic) which I did hear should be satisfactory for a squamosa. True? I hear they can get to be a foot long which is a bit large for my tank. Any real measurements out there? I also have hermits, are they bad news for a clam? What about a Red-Sea Star? I've heard they're pretty harmless but I also read stars and clams don't mix. BTW, the tanks only been up about 5 mos. Is that a concern?

Thanks

 

[Sloth]

I'll give it a shot:

1. Although I wouldn't do it, I have heard that those lights could be enough for a squami. You might just feed some extra phyto to be sure its not starving. And probably keep it near the top so it recieves more instene light. Fluorescents and metal halide are two completely different animals when it comes to light penetration depth.

2. They get big, and they are relatively fast growers. But you're looking at several years for one to get 1 foot long anyway.

3. Hermits are fine. As long as they're "reef safe". Scarlets and blue legs pose no threat to a healthy clam.

4. Dunno about starfish

5. After 5 months, I would guess that your tank is fairly stable. But there's SOO many variables. IMO - it all comes down to whether you feel you can keep your calcium, alkalinity, and pH stable, and that you have a good handle on dosing. Get all your experiments and dosing accidents out of the way before you purchase a clam.

 

[Travis]

Your lighting is fine, just keep the clam near the top.

A full grown adult can grow up to 16 inches.

The hermits and starfish are fine.

Usually, a 6 month old tank is recommended. I wouldn't even try one unless you KNOW you can keep your calcium and alkalinity stable.

In reality, clams are VERY, VERY, VERY hardy. They are often times the only survivors of tank crashes, acting as though nothing even happened. Trust me, my clams all made it through my tank crash.

 

[bigfishman]

Is it really hardy??

I am new to clam and I always thought that clam is very sensitive animal that can not handle any dynamic change.

 

[ungerbe]

How do you KNOW you can keep your calcium stable? Is B-ionic an effective means for this? How stable is stable?

Sorry Seaworthy, don't mean to hitch hike your thread.

 

[Seaworthy]

No problem, I use B-Ionic as well and had the same thought last night. Anyone?

 

[Sloth]

Buy calcium and alkalinity test kits. (I like salifert brand).
I prefer to take an initial measurement, wait 24 hours, then take another. Then use this calculator to figure out how much you need to dose in a 24 hour period to keep it stable.
http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

 

[Travis]

How do you KNOW you can keep your calcium stable? Is B-ionic an effective means for this? How stable is stable?

I'm really anal about Ca/dKH stability in my tank so I consider a shift of more than .5 dKH or 10 ppm Ca unstable. That is by, like Sloth said, testing waiting exactly 24 hours and testing again. If you are using B-ionic. Test every 24 hours until you know how much to add daily to keep the levels from fluctuating too much.