Salinity + Clams

[Syris]

I've lost 2 clams now. A maxima and a crocea. I have the right lighting, good ca + alk, no predators bothering clams. The clams were bought at seperate times from a reputable lfs. They both had been at the lfs for at least 3 weeks and looked very healthy. But both clams died at seprate times but always 2 weeks after adding them to tank.
So I dont know what I am doing wrong.
Until maybe now. I now have a refractometer and found my salinty to be 1.022. Would this cause the clams to perish after 2 weeks
What is an acceptable salinity for clams?

TIA

 

[lebowski]

Do yourself a HUGE favor and pick up a refractometer...

Clams are inverts, and like higher salinities... I'd keep 1.025-.1.026... and hydrometer's are WAY off... Your salinity could be 1.030 or even 1.018, you never know...

 

[Syris]

I now have a refractometer and found my salinty to be 1.022.

I just did buy a refractometer, its reading 1.022 my float arm was reading 1.024

Will 1.022 salinity cause the clams deaths?

 

[lebowski]

Yes... Try raising the salinity... Clams DO need higher salinity, and 1.022 is a little low...

 

[lebowski]

Almost forgot!

What lighting do you have?? Also, what were or are the tank params, could have been something in the water How large were the clams?

 

[firechild]

Provided the clams were well acclimated, 1.022 should be tolerable but not good for clams. I would try rainsing the specific gravity to 1.026. Depending what your temperature is at, this will vary but check a conversion chart for salinity to specific gravity and aim for a salinity of 35ppt.

 

[Syris]

Clams were dripped aclimated for 3hrs. Lights when I tried Maxima (3.5") were 2 - 175wMH + 220w VHO actinic. Lights (now) when I tried crocea (2") are 2 - 250w MH + 220w VHO actinic.
Ca 390
Alk 9 dKH
Temp 80F (summer )
Amm 0
NO2 0
NO3 ?
PO4 ?

I have a 29g fuge growing chaetomorpha very well plus I do bi-weekly wc with RO/DI so I don't think I have any nutrient or poor water problems.

Now that I have refractometer I will raise my salinity slowly over the next couple weeks to 1.025

So does it look like the low salinity caused the clam deaths? Everything else looks in check right?

I don't know wehn I will try a clam again, I am now very clam shy. But I would love to be able to keep one long term someday.
TIA