Newbie sounding clam question

[Fliger]

I'm setting up a 20G nano. Never had a nano. It's only 15" high, I'll about 2" of sand in there. Could I move on of my ultra maximas under there? In the sand bed or maybe up in the rocks to just ~8" from the bulbs? They're small, and I feed phyto regularly. Sorry for the newbie sounding question. The nano thing is kind of new to me.

 

[jedininja]

The main question is what type of lighting will be in there. Also keep in mind that feeding clams in nanos can cause high nutrients, so heavy skimming will help with that.

 

[Barry N.]

Also water volume, so watch your salinity swings.

 

[Fliger]

Duh, I can't believe I didn't put the lighting. I must have been tired when I typed that. The most likely lighting option is 2x 65W bulbs - one white & one actinic. For salinity, the system will be 30 gallons total, and I will have a good top-off system so I'm not too worried.

Whatcha think with 130W of PC - and clams in a shallow tank?

Thanks again.

 

[jedininja]

I would not keep maximas under that lighting no matter how shallow. Maybe a deresa, but a maxima will surely lose its color and probably slowly die.

 

[Sloth]

I agree. Get a metal halide and be sure to have enough lighting. Also, other than specific gravity - be aware that your calcium and alkalinity might drop fast and you might have to dose a lot. This will cause pH swings - which clams don't like. You might want to use your topoff bucket as a kalk reservoir. And a sump would be a good thing to have for dosing kalk.

 

[Desert Fox]

I must have been tired when I typed that.

You mean tired of watching the D'backs throw their games away?

I agree with the lighting comments, but I think stepping to only a 150w halide would be appropriate. With a good 10kk bulb, I think that would be plenty.

 

[clsund]

If it's a small clam and you're feeding phyto regularly, a maxima is fine under your lighting. Clams that are small depend on feeding more than lighting anyways. And I think even 130 Ws of PC lighting is enough regardless. So I wouldn't worry about the starving concern.