Number of clams

[PoriferaBob]

Is there really a limit to the number of clams one could put in a tank? I have a 46 gallon. I know that they get most of there energy from the light source but they are filter feeders as well right? So wouldint you have to use extra DTs os something? Oh yeah not to mention I think the more clams the more your calcium level drops.

 

[grimmjohn]

You would have to keep up with CA and Alk..otherwise I don't know of any problems..I've seen tanks literally paved with large croceas. Your 250 should give maxi's and croceas all the food they would need to be actively provided with IMO (assuming they are large enough)

Cheers,

grimmjohn

 

[acro-wrasse]

IMO The more you add the greater risk / complications you will no doubt have.

I remember the night my 7 clams all decided to reproduce and filled the tank with sperm. The skimmer went wild and I had to do water changes to keep the water quality up.

Increased density will also better your chance of a disease or predator (pyramid snail) finding a home.

That being said, there are a lot of people with clams filling their tanks, so it can be done successfully!

 

[James Yeung]

Provided you can keep up with CA and ALK and water quality in tip top shape (or semi-tip top shape in my situation), I don't think there is.

I have 12 clams in my 72G. Mine you, I have a refuge and sump the same size as the display. I only did one 30% water change in 12 months and I only top off the tank with lime water.

I lost over 90% of my purple tip montis population (the brown colour branches in upper right hand corner of pic is what I have left) likely due to lack of water changes and hair algae out break. They were growing like weeds and covered most of my tank. Currently, everything else appears to be in perfect heatlh.

Watch out for pyramid snails. I just discovered that my display has them. I'm not too happy about it. The snails were probably in my tank since day 1 (almost 2 years ago when I acquired it) and my six line (mysteriously disappeared last week) may have kept the population in check.

James

 

[Omar H]

An interesting question no doubt. One thing we must keep in mind is the adult size of clams. As you know, croceas may be 6", maximas 14", squamosas 16" and so on. So, when you consider their adult size and the fact that they can not be fragged, well, there`s got to be a limit to how many one can keep in a certain size tank.

Omar