set up for clams??

[isawill]

Hello Everyone!!

I am looking at upgrading my existing tank to be suitable for a reef. I would like to...no, I must have clams in my new set up!!!! I have been researching the web and reading all kinds of books, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. So here it is...
90g FOWLR, wet/dry, 50 lbs LR and 2'' finely crushed coral, twin tube with 10k and actinic.
2 firefish, 1 clown, 1 coral beauty, 1 Desjardins tang, 1 mandarin, 2 cardinals, 1 lyretail blenny
The plan: get a skimmer, 50 more lbs of LR, 2'' more LS,
2 250W MH plus 220W VHO actinics
I' m also thinking about a refugium for pods and macro

Would lighting be OK for any clam on the bottom(24'' deep)?

Should MH be parallel or perpendicular to tank, and why?

Are IC ballasts really that much cooler, lighter, and more energy efficient?

65K or 10K? Which gives better color with both clams and corals?

Must I take off glass top? If yes, what about splash, etc..? If not, won't I loose intensity and spectrum? What about heat?

I know it's a long thread, but I like to know what I' m getting into and I want to do it right.

By the way, I know I won't be getting clams for quite a few months, until new system has settled...

Thanks

 

[ReefEze]

Would lighting be OK for any clam on the bottom(24'' deep)?

Sounds good so far...

Should MH be parallel or perpendicular to tank, and why?

Parallel, becouse you will get a wider illumination area with them like that, IMO

Are IC ballasts really that much cooler, lighter, and more energy efficient?

Yes, but you dont need it. Try an e-ballast if you decide to go electronic.

65K or 10K? Which gives better color with both clams and corals?

10kk. 6,500 is too yellow.

Must I take off glass top? If yes, what about splash, etc..? If not, won't I loose intensity and spectrum? What about heat?

Yes, you'll needthe glass top (or somthing seperating MH and water )Do you have a chiller?

Sounds good! :thumbsup:

RE

 

[Peabody]

Sounds like you're well on your way to a great clam tank! :thumbsup:

Two things come to mind. First, you may want to phase out the bioballs in your wetdry, that is if you have any!

Second, be prepared to take your coral beauty back to your LFS. They often don't take kindly to clams

Hey, be sure to read "Giant Clams" by Daniel Knop. It's the nest investment you can make if you're interested in clams.

About bulb temp. Careful what 10,000k bulb you get. They have different colors. My 175 watt came with a coralife 10,000k bulb (2 months old) and it was WAY too blue with actinics, and I like blue! So, I went with the 2 month old 6,500k bulb that came with it until it's time to change. (It's pretty nice with actinics, but still too yellow) I've seen plenty of MH 10,000k bulbs that are a beautiful white, and I plan on going with one of those (Ushiso, or AB)

 

[isawill]

Thanks so much for your answers!!!

No chiller. I will build a canopy and make sure it is very well ventilated. My tank is in my living room and everything must fit under the tank or my husband will veto it... That's also why I would like to have ballasts that run as cool as possible.
I think I will go with the Ushio 10K then.
I am just concerned that with the thick glass top, I will loose light intensity or spectrum (glass is about 1/4 inch thick)

 

[isawill]

Oh and about the bioballs...Do you think I currently have enough LR and LS to support the tank? Actually, I am not too sure how live my sand bed really is...I am not seeing a lot of life in there. I'm sure there are bacteria, but not a lot of anything else. I'm thinking about buying a package from IPSF...Any feedback???
Thanks