scooters reef
New member
Ok, instead of the usual "Are these enough", or "How much do I need for this tank" I'm reversing the question:
How much tank can I get with these lights for keeping clams?
It will be awhile, but starting to research and make some initial plans. I have a 200 gal in-wall in my basement with a 36gal fuge and 40gal sump. The problem is the wife wants some clams, and I don't want them in my 200gal so promised her a clam tank once our major basement finish project and current tank are both finished. (Oh, main reason they are not in the 200gal, is I'm an angel fanatic and don't want to temp them with a nice clam).
Since, by pure luck, the spot upstairs where we would put it is directly over the fish-room downstairs, I'd like to plumb the additional tank into the same sump downstairs (may need a bigger sump to handle any power outages). We also know we want a tank with a 36" footprint, although 48" is doable.
For lights, I was THINKING of going with 2 x 250w 10k HQI and 2x39w T5 Actinic. Here's the first glitch: I'd like to use the HQI bulbs from the main tank on a hand-me-down basis. They are changed every 6 to 8 months. So, please keep in mind the clams will get a bulb already that old to start, and will be at 12 to 16 months before the next 6 to 8 is up and everything shifts again. I know over 12 months is pushing it, but hope by going on the high side of light it will be sufficient.
So, with all those "assumptions", what depth tank would be a good starting point? For a 36" length it looks like a 65 would be the deepest at 24". My Father also just happens to have an empty 65 at the moment if that works. If too deep, I can pick up whatever works though. I could go to 48", but the wall would start getting crowded, and also start really pushing the sump size needed for the overflow downstairs (room to grow there, but limited).
Sorry for a question of such a general nature. I haven't learned enough on clams in particular so can't say what we would like. So, doing it in reverse if it works. I have what I at least "hope" to use for lights, so want to match the tank size and what can be kept to that.
How much tank can I get with these lights for keeping clams?
It will be awhile, but starting to research and make some initial plans. I have a 200 gal in-wall in my basement with a 36gal fuge and 40gal sump. The problem is the wife wants some clams, and I don't want them in my 200gal so promised her a clam tank once our major basement finish project and current tank are both finished. (Oh, main reason they are not in the 200gal, is I'm an angel fanatic and don't want to temp them with a nice clam).
Since, by pure luck, the spot upstairs where we would put it is directly over the fish-room downstairs, I'd like to plumb the additional tank into the same sump downstairs (may need a bigger sump to handle any power outages). We also know we want a tank with a 36" footprint, although 48" is doable.
For lights, I was THINKING of going with 2 x 250w 10k HQI and 2x39w T5 Actinic. Here's the first glitch: I'd like to use the HQI bulbs from the main tank on a hand-me-down basis. They are changed every 6 to 8 months. So, please keep in mind the clams will get a bulb already that old to start, and will be at 12 to 16 months before the next 6 to 8 is up and everything shifts again. I know over 12 months is pushing it, but hope by going on the high side of light it will be sufficient.
So, with all those "assumptions", what depth tank would be a good starting point? For a 36" length it looks like a 65 would be the deepest at 24". My Father also just happens to have an empty 65 at the moment if that works. If too deep, I can pick up whatever works though. I could go to 48", but the wall would start getting crowded, and also start really pushing the sump size needed for the overflow downstairs (room to grow there, but limited).
Sorry for a question of such a general nature. I haven't learned enough on clams in particular so can't say what we would like. So, doing it in reverse if it works. I have what I at least "hope" to use for lights, so want to match the tank size and what can be kept to that.
That ignores yet two more drains on the electric bill though 
