should i get a clam?

[FFFrog]

I really want to get a clam, but am insure if i should. The tank is a 37 gallon with a 250 halide 20k. The bulb is about 23" from the sand bed.
-1.025 salinity
-79 temp
-3.5meg/l alkalinity
-425 calcium
-5 nitrates
What kind of clam would you recommend if any?
Are nitrates of 5 to high?
thanks

 

[kfisc]

how long has the tank been going? no detectable nitrate is ideal - a 20k bulb may also be too blue- also, what kind of clam?

 

[mbbuna]

too blue go for a 10000k

 

[Peabody]

I'm going to slightly disagree here. While 20k is blue, it is possible to keep clams under one, especially a 250w bulb over a smaller tank. Sure a lower K bulb might be better, but I think it will be just fine.

What fish do you have? You want to make sure they are all clam friendly.

 

[FFFrog]

the tank is about 3 years old. one manderin and 2 ocellaris clowns and an assortment of snails.

 

[Barky]

You should be fine if your water parameters are correct. I have a maxim & a squamosas in my 90gl. reef tank under 250w 20000k lights for 3 yrs. and they are doing great. My maxim sits high on the reef and the squamosas sits on the bottom.these are larger clams maxim 4" and squamosas is 5" in size. I my 75 gl. I have a hippopus on the bottom under 175w 14000k it's doing fine. They love lots of cal. so keep that high.Buy a healthy clam from a quality dealer and you should be fine, I have great success with Berry from clams direct. Brian

 

[Johnsteph10]

Your lighting is fine -- the color of the bulb won't really cause any problems.

Water quality is very important - nitrates of 5 is fine. A clam will actually help lower it as well as filter/help clarify the water and lower Phos.

I would go for one around 4 inches give or take an inch -- big enough to photosynthesize and not rely solely on filter feeding.

Make sure you don't have any fish that may bother it.

Good luck!

 

[FFFrog]

i have a bubble tip anemone also. would that be a problem? and ive recently started to culture photo so feeding it would not be a problem.

 

[Barky]

Your anemone will be fine in the tank with your clam. All you really need to worry about is fish mostly angels as they are generaly not reef safe. most fish tend not to bother clam mantels, but some caution is always adviced when purchaseing new fish