Qstn: using ceramic tiles to attach clams to

[piercho]

I've seen clams attached to tiles, I assumed the porous side of ceramic tiles, in pics. I was wondering if there are any rules to do this. Are certain types of tiles "reef-safe", and others not? I put 3 small tiles (4" X 4") in used aq water last night. These are generic white ceramic tiles like those used for baths. Can I put these in my main tank, tonight?

I want to be able to remove the clams, for the time being, from the tank, periodically. I tried shells but the clams did not attach securely or released themselves after a while. Perhaps the shells were too small and the clams didn't like the curvature (couldn't get solid contact to their bysal opening). I don't know. These are my first clams and I'm not familiar with the practical considerations (that can't be found in books) for keeping them. If I put them on egg-crate they go for walks at night - presumably looking for a place to attach - and fall off the edges of the eggcrate.

The problem with keeping them on the sand is 1) a large Premnas which will try to bury them and 2) at least 2 of them should go higher in the tank, I think, to get enough light.

These clams are a 2" gold Max, 3.5" blue Max, and a 3.5" Squam.

Any advice to attach a small clam to an object that can be removed from the tank would be appreciated. Any advise about using ceramic tiles for attaching clams would also be appreciated.

TIA.

 

[cromax]

Howard, it is always advisable to get your clams to attach to some type of substrate or another. It is one of the first things I do after acquiring new clams.

I have heard of using tiles for attachment, but have never tried this myself, so I cannot comment on their use as clam substrate.

I prefer to use old tridacnid shells or small pieces of live rock. I would think this is the preferred method, since it looks natural, and there is no fear of possibly leaching some unknown manufacturing residue into your tank.

The rock should be a fairly good size, and as flat as possible, to facilitate attachment. This is a more permanent attachment solution than aragonite as well, as clams will sometimes send out more byssal threads beyond their aragonite attachment.

Be patient. Your clams are small, and still like to move around if they aren't completely comfortable.

 

[Potsy]

I used aquarium safe epoxy putty and made a flat disk that I placed in the sand under my maxima. In a few days it attached. If your lighting is strong enough, you can keep your clams on the sand. Many experienced aquarists have kept their clams there for years.

 

[manderx]

my clams have attached through the sand to the glass, so porosity is not an issue. if i ever move them, i'll probably cut a small acrylic square to bury under each. painted/glazed tiles scare me. the only tile i would think about using is terra cotta which are proven to be completely safe by clown breeders everywhere.

 

[DerekW]

I am going to put my 2 cents in as I sell ceramic tiles for a living.
I would be wary od the true mexican terra cotta tiles, as they are really just made of pressed mud, and who knows if there has been pesticides or whatever used in the area.
Alot of breeders use quarry tiles. These have the same red clay colour of terra cotta tiles, but are a baked tile, they are thinner and harder, true terra cotta is about an inch thick.
Quarry tiles are often used in restraunt kitchen, they are usually 6"x6" OR 8"X8".
aNOTHER OPTION, USED BY DISCUS BREEDERS FOR DECADES IS SLATE. (Doh, darn Caps Lock) But it is often quite thick as well. I belive in one of the clownfish books, the tiles they lay the eggs on is just a standard white clay wall tile.
Hmm, a third thought, fish breeders have used flowerpots for decades as well for breeding.perhaps one of those broken into several pieces would work as well.

Theres my 2 canadian cents (About 1.25 cents US)

 

[SeanT]

Howard, it is always advisable to get your clams to attach to some type of substrate or another.

Why?

 

[piercho]

Well, as a follow-up: BIGGER shells, with a little fine sand inside the shell, finally worked for me. They can spin in azimuth in the sand to get the orientation in the light that they want, and the shell shape tends to keep them from completely falling over on their sides while they do this.

I tried the small tiles, and other things, but the shells just happened to finally work for me.

In my specific case, I don't want these clams attaching to anything that can't be moved around the tank, for now. That's why I'm trying to get them to attach to some small object. Then I can start moving them up onto the rock without having to worry about them attaching to a huge piece of rock.