PC + clam = good?

[CaptiveReef]

PC's and clams

PC's and clams

Here is a pic of my clams that are under 96 watt PC's

CaptiveReef

 

[Tafabub]

wow, that is a lot of macro algae you got going CR.

Rbenz-if you are even somewhat decent at building a box out of wood, you can easily put a single 250w or 400w metal halide retro in. The cheapest way to go would be Iwasaki (its a 6500k bulb) on a MV ballast. You can get the ballasts for under $40 and the bulbs for about $60-70.

If you're not so good with woodworking, just keep an eye out in the for sale/for trade section of reefcentral. You can usually get a good deal there.

You don't need more then 1 bulb, as long as you put your clam on that side under the bulb.
Buba

 

[CaptiveReef]

wow, that is a lot of macro algae you got going CR

This is where I grow my mysis shrimp, I'm setting up a 90 gallon tank for corals and my clams, all the macro is for feeding my Tang's. This macro grows so fast it's mind blowing!!!!!!!!


CaptiveReef

 

[rbenz]

Thanks for the input everyone! Looks like MH is the way to go or at lest 400w of PC or VHO.

 

[DIYreefer420]

i have kept squamosas and derasa's under PC's for about 6 months...... they are on the bottom, open up extremly full and have great color/pattern....i have 2 96w PC's on a 30 gallon reef and they are great! even 1 of the bulbs have been out for 4 months, cause my cheap *** hasn't bought a new bulb yet.... and they are still lookin great.

bullgod768@aol.com
DIYreefer420

 

[rbenz]

Just to give you guys an update...

I'm still looking for a lighting system. I'm shopping around but my gosh they can be really expensive!

I don't have much time to make my own hood so that makes it more expensive i guess.

I'm still looking for either a 2 x 175 watt MH combined with 2 vho or PC or 440 watt VHO with IceCap Ballast or 4 x 96 watt PC Lighting.

Just want to make sure that all systems i mentioned will be okay for all types of clams?

 

[stereomandan]

I have to disagree with you firechild and others about 220W PC = murder.

I have 192W of PC lights and 30W of actinicin my 38 gallon. I do dose DT's, so that is probably helping.

Here it is my Squamosa when I bought it in April, it's 1 1/2".

Here it is now, over 3". This shows the new shell that has developed since being in my tank.

Dan

 

[gregt]

220 / 55 = 4 watts/gallon

222 / 38 = 5.8 watt/gallon

Watt's per gallon isn't a perfect metric, but your tank is hardly comparable to that of the thread originators.

 

[anathema]

If you are really cheap

If you are really cheap

Pick up a 175W MV yard light fixture. You can get them at hardware stores for $30 or so.

It will be ugly, but two of those on your 55 would be a nice supplement to the PCS. Set the timer to turn them on while you are at work and off after you get home.

I do this on a second setup I have, I have no clams in it, but the MV lights work pretty well for the coral.

You will have to build your own hood though, and two 175's is only marginally cheaper than a DIY 400W EYE setup, which would be a lot better.

 

[stereomandan]

GregT,

Sorry, but I believe you are wrong. If you place a clam in the same location under the bulbs in either tank, you will have exactly the same energy flux(light) to the coral. The only time this would be different is if the clam was placed outside the 36" length of the bulbs in a 55 gallon tank (which I cannot do since my tank is only 36" long). My tank has the same height and is only 1" less in front to back depth than a 55 gallon. If you place the three bulbs over the center portion of the 55g tank, you have the same amount of light, in the 36" center portion, as in my tank except for the extra 6" of space at each end in a 55.

It's exactly for the reason you state that you cannot use watts per gallon.

Here is an illustration:

To make a fair calculation, you need to look at light density under the lights. Lets look at a the 36" length under the lights in either tank.

My tank:
222W/(36"x12")= 0.518W/in^2

55 gallon:
222W/(36"x13")=0.474W/in^2

This is less a 9% difference, hardly any.
Dan

 

[gregt]

Dan,

I agree partially. As I said, watts per gallon is far from a perfect metric, however, I still have to disagree in part with your point. Much of the usable light in a tank is reflected from the glass, etc, If the light must pass through several more inches of water to hit the glass and then several more back to the clam, then there is a significant loss of light in a larger tank.

 

[stereomandan]

GregT,

I agree with you about light reflecting off the glass. I think it would only be a difference at the outside edges though. Good point.

Dan