Questions From Future Clam Caretaker

[tigerwolf]

I'm new to reefing, and am currently spending the next several months saving up the monies in order to get all my equipment, LR & LS to begin a high quality reef aquarium.

I've decided on the 50 gallon breeder, because of the extra width of the tank as opposed to the 55.

I'm interested in getting some (a) Wrasse of some kind (I like the Midas), some sort of Blenny, Flame Angels, Clown (mated), and probably a Hippo or Yellow Tang down the line as from what I've read they're about the only tangs you can put in a smaller tank.

I also plan to have an aneome later on for the Clown fish. I'll have 2 brittle starfish, and a bunch of tiny blue-legged hermit crab (I'm going with "The Package" from TBS), a couple peppermint shrimp, and probably I'd like to at least get one Sexy Shrimp.

I'd also like a mixture of soft & hard corals, perhaps a few mushrooms & sponges.

This, of course, is my 'long term' plan. I'm just trying to get an idea of what will live in harmony with what, and what I'd personally like to see in my tank.

Would any of these 'critters' pose a problem for my clam?

Lighting, I haven't exactly decided on yet. Everything I've read on MH says they're the best - including for clams, but they're also vastly expensive. Not just for the lighting, but to run them as well.

I want to do this right the first time, but I am also very intersted in having one or two Crocea or Maxima clams in my tank down the road.

Are MH essentiall to a 'happy' clam? Or can I go with something a little less costly?

And is the 18" deep tank 'shallow' enough to put the clam down on the 2-4" sand bed that will be in place?

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[crimson156]

i don't think mh are that much more expensive cause if u get other lighting u usually need more wattage to make up the difference of not using mh. i forget but i think there are some low light clams that u may have w/out mh, i'm sure someone else will fill u in. as for the anemone they like to move around so u will just have to keep an eye on it and move the clam when ever the anemone gets to close. the anemone may not work w/out mh lighting either.

 

[crimson156]

also look in your areas want ads or classifieds for a tank already setup it will save u alot of money, i bought my 150 this way for about 1/10 of the price i would've had to pay to start from scratch

 

[crimson156]

i cut n pasted this from someone elses post
just read the posts of other threads and u should get the info u need if no one else responds
"If you don't have MH, try starting out with a Derasa"