Q on clams down the road

[bensenvill]

I'm looking into getting my first clam in about 6 months. Its a 46g bow tank I've been running about a year and a half now. The tanks sumpless right now so anymore light would cause heat problems. Right now I am running 2x96w PCs until I can set up the sump.
Anyways heres my question so I can start my research now. which clam may be the easiest under lower light and be a good beginner. 2nd, my lighting upgrade is most likely going to be a 150w HQI MH (added to the 2x96). Would that be enough to keep a clam. Lastly, would the clam be alright if I decided to buy him before the lights (and place him on one of the upper ledges of the tank).

thanks
Terry

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Personally I'd wait on the clam until you get the light. I think the wattage of HQI you go with depends on the depth of the tank. If the tank is 24" deep, I'd recommend a 250w HQI. Great light either way.

For cooling you could simply place a fan blowing over the water surface, cooling by evaporation. Works well on my 120g with dual 400w halides.

 

[jim norris]

Hello,
What is the distance from your lights to the bottom of the tank. Right now IMO yes there are clams like squamosas, dreasas and hippopus which are less light hungry than maximas and croceas. Some smaller maximas (which are far more colorful) up higher in your tank would be OK if you feed them Dts but in the long run will need MHs. I have a small clam show tank than has one 150 watt 10,000 HQI lamp and the 8 maxs in it are very happy. They are about 18 inches from the light.
Jim

 

[bensenvill]

I understand that I will need to heavily supliment their feeding. The distance to the bottom of my tank is about 15 inches. The reading I've been doing and the one I'll probably try first is the squamosas simply because they seem to require the least amount of light. I want your guys opinion, do you think a squamosas would be OK for about 4 months if he was on a ledge about 6" from the surface under 2x96w PC's.

~Terry

 

[jim norris]

Terry,
IMO I think a squamosa is a great choice! You may even start him off lower.
Jim

 

[Robert Hoeck]

Jim, Could you post a pic of the clam tank with the 150hqi or tell how it's set up. I'm doing a 40 breeder and deciding between the 150 or 250hqi. Is the 150 your using a 10 or 20k. I'm assuming the 250/20k will be less ideal for clams than 10k. Thanks for any info.

 

[jim norris]

Robert,
The 150 watt is a 10,000 and is a HQI. It is a Giessmann pendant that hangs over a 30 gallon Oceanic flatback tank. This tank is on a low stand so one can look right into it. I will shoot some pictures tonight.
Jim

 

[bensenvill]

Jim,
thanks you've been a huge help. I've really wanted to try a clam for a LOOONNNGG time. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid.

~Terry

 

[jim norris]

Terry,
Clams are tuff! Look at my post about Scar who I glued back together! Also I have a story about clams being send that were in a bag in a box in darkness for over 80 hours and lived! They are a GREAT part about this hobby.
Jim

 

[toptank]

Terry,

On one of my clam tank which is 17", the 150 HQI, 10k are great. Most of those clams are higher up as they are on eggcrate so I would say they are about 12" from the lights.

Barry

 

[Robert Hoeck]

Jim, Is your 30 hex 20-17-25(LWH)? Was thinking about using the 150hqi geissman pendant on a 37(24-18-21). Would the 150 do or should the 250 serve better? I'm intrested in seeing the 30, too. Thanks, Rob.

 

[bensenvill]

jim,
you've posted photos of your 30hex before havent you. It hasnt been setup ofr too long if I remember correctly. Thats a stellar looking tank you have.

~Terry