question on crocea care

[Baltimore Bryan]

I had a quick question which is probably very simlple... I've read clams take up nitrates, but can you have too much nitrates? Is there a line between food and deadly, if so, how much is too much?

 

[Jay03GT]

they do take up nitrate, but not enough to make a noticeable difference. As far as how much is too high I don't have a definitive answer, but I think you want to keep things down similar to any reef setup. If the nitrates and phosphate get too high it will limit the ability of the clam to uptake Ca to grow new shell. If I had to through a number out I'd say <10ppm nitrates, obviously the lower the better. Personally I shoot for a number that is barely detectable by my Salifert test kit, around 1-2ppm.

 

[Baltimore Bryan]

That's what I figured, but wanted to double check. Thanks.