Newbie here needing some advice...

[ksatterwhite]

Hello All-

I an new to reefcentral.com. I found this place while looking for information on keeping clams. I have had saltwater (FO and reef) for quite a few years. Well, mostly fish and a few small reefs. I have just recently pictures on clams available. WOW!!! Now it's must have kind of thing. I was wondering what set-ups (lighting, filtration, other tank inhabitants, etc.) everyone has had success with. I read on another website that clams utilize nitrates. This raised a question for me. In my research on filtration systems, I have seen many people use refugiums with caulerpa that reduce nitrates (sometimes even wipe them out). If clams really do need nitrates, this may not be a wise choice in filtration. I would really appreciate advice from those of you who have successfully kept clams. I have one tank in mind. My 30 gallon long (36x13x17). I think I'm going to get a really nice stand and canopy built and have it in my entryway. I might eventually upgrade the tank to the 90 gallon bow front by Oceanic at a later date. So, if you also have suggestions for my 30 gallon tank (or the future 90 gallon), that would be appreciated as well.

 

[toptank]

Hi Keith and welcome to Reef Central.

Yes clam like nitrates and some phosphates. In my 180 SPS/clams tank I try to keep my Phos. to 0 and nitrates <10ppm but in my clams tank I keep my phos. a little highter and also nitrates. That is like fertilizer to them.

When I had my 90 gal set up I used 2 x 250 MH with actinic suppliments.

As far as caulerpa I nevered used it before and besides it is banned in Ca.

Get the book Giant clams by Daniel Knops, it is still the best book on clams that I have been able to find. Also I have some very good links regarding clams on my site. One is called, "On the Half Shell" also by Daniel Knop.

Welcome to the world of clams. and enjoy them

Barry

 

[ksatterwhite]

Thanks for the info. I have thought of a few more questions.

1. Do clams do better in a species tank, or mixed with other inhabitants?

2. Is it possible to have too much lighting?

3. When choosing lighting (I'm thinking about MH, unless there's a better option), do I go by "# of watts per gallon" or "# of watts in reference to depth"?

4. Clean-up crews...are there some types that I should stay away from?

I think that's all the questions I have for now. But, I'm sure I'll think of some more later.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Toptank -

What do you mean caulerpa is banned in Cal?

 

[toptank]

I could be wrong but that is what I was told by LFS. Maybe it is in San Diego County. I will find out for sure this week but I know you can buy it here, that I do know.

 

[BonsaiNut]

You scared me for a second - I thought some crazy bureaucrats had decided caulerpa could get loose in garden ponds or something. The biggest macroalgae in the world grows right offshore - a little thing known as 'kelp'. I doubt any of our tropical stuff would last offshore.

I am pretty sure that caulerpa sp. can be found in the Gulf of California, however. I seem to recall getting some live rock with some on it from down there (this was a while ago). I don't really know.

 

[opihi]

i think caulerpa is now considered illegal to sell in all of california. the LFS up here in the bay area no longer sell them.

 

[toptank]

That is what I thought as well.

Barry

 

[Jared Cooper]

I think it is a specific kind of caulerpa, not all caulerpa.