Small Clams or Big Ones more hearty/easier to start?

[JJ2003]

Does it matter? I have an established 55 gallon with a pair of maroon clowns, a purple tang, a splendid dottyback, and a velvet wrasse. I just recently upgraded to T5s so I'm ready to give a clam a go. What was that book some folks said to read?

My water parameters are good, except my Ca is a bit low at 370.

I've aquascaped an area on the left side of the tank away from the main area where the tang and clowns tend to operate(also far away from the BTA). Trying to get it somewhere its not constantly shadowed by swift-swimming tang and clown.

My main question....are small clams (i.e. 2 inches long) more or less hearty than going bigger and getting an older (i.e. 4inch) one? Want to try a Crocea or Maxima.

Thanks!!

 

[rc02116]

In general the smaller the clam the less chance of survival rate in your tank (compared with bigger clams). This is mainly due to the hosting algea (zooxanthellae) are not fully developed compared with its adult counterparts and you need to supplement its feeding in addition to strong lighting. (I would get a clam with minimum of 3" if possible).

Speaking of lighting, you mentioned having T5s, how deep is you tank from the light? Since you don't have MH light, I would plan ahead for moving the clam up closer to the light once its foot is attached, should you need to do so in the future...(ie. put a flat rock, empty shell, frag plug etc.. underneath the clam in the beginning).

Between the Maxima and Crocea, you may want to try a Maxima first as Crocea tends to demand lighting the most (though their demands are not that much difference, IMO). Also pay attention to Calcium & Alk, they need to be at specific levels for clams to grow. G' Luck. :thumbsup:

 

[JJ2003]

Tank is 18 inches deep. Everything I've read is leaning towards T5 being just as strong if not more light than MH? Either way, the area I'm putting the clam is about 6 inches up off the sandband.

Thanks for the input rc02116!!

 

[rc02116]

That doesn't sound like a too deep tank and T5s should be able to penetrate that depth fine (especially if you have individual reflectors)...Depending on the total wattage you have, you should be able to keep either Maxima or Crocea fine.

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13843303#post13843303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rc02116
In general the smaller the clam the less chance of survival rate in your tank (compared with bigger clams). This is mainly due to the hosting algea (zooxanthellae) are not fully developed compared with its adult counterparts and you need to supplement its feeding in addition to strong lighting. (I would get a clam with minimum of 3" if possible).

while i agree with the original answer the reasoning is faulty and has been shown to be incorrect. clams smaller than 3" are juveniles ( except in the case of the crocea ) and are a lot more sensitive.

tell us a little more about your lighting, as mentioned the reflectors are key but list the # of bulbs, kelvin. etc....

also how old is your system?? and how do you maintain Ca and ALK?

 

[Jarrod Corby]

Its a 6 bulb tek system with individual reflectors. Currently about 10 inches off the tank(waiting for hang-kit to come in). I have two super actinics, two aquasun, and two, um, i'll have to check. basically two blues, two blue-white, and two bright white bulbs(judging by what Grim classifies them as on his website). all UVL. Was going to swap one of the blue white for another blue so I can have a dusk-dawn scenario without having 4 bright whites coming on all at once (the fixture i have turns on the outside two lights with one switch and the 4 middles with the other.)

SYstem has been running for 10 years, like march of 98. All LPS until about 6 months ago when i purchased a hydnophora (if that is even an sps, ya'll may consider that lps).

I've been maintaining Ca and ALK with B-Ionic daily, Still struggling to get it up above 400. Been hovering about 350-370. ALK at 1.7, I know those are both to low. Next purchase will be a Ca reactor, but after the light purchase i need to wait or Wifie will shoot me.

THanks!!

 

[a4twenty]

hmm, are you the OP??? ( different name?? )

that lighting will be fine, maybe try to keep the clam ~1/2 way up in the tank though. either a maxima ( try to get over 3" ) or crocea should be fine, the crocea may have a higher requirement for lighting ( not by much ) but maxima's are the the toughest clam to keep.

if you are having a tough time getting your Ca and ALK in line, check you Mg, these three ( and pH, so four ) are all related.

 

[Jarrod Corby]

dont know what OP is?

thanks for the help. been reading about magnesium maybe i should check it, never knew that was an important test until my travels here on rc. my ph is also a tad low at 8.1. i've been buffering it too.

 

[a4twenty]

OP = Original Poster

the names are different.

absolutely check your Mg, if it's out of whack it can impossible to get your Ca and ALK up.

 

[JJ2003]

Sorry a4twenty!! Yes, jarrod corby and jj2003 are the same guy. i had created jarrod corby initially, then was locked out for some reason so impatiently i created a new account, and forgot this work pc had the old one "remembered'. long-winded explanation.

Will do on the MG check!! Thanks!