squamosa

[kysmith]

My squamosa has been in the tank for about 2 weeks and was looking great until yesterday.

Setup:

29 gallon
175 MH
Water parameters are good but havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t been adding any calcium (read 300 PPM) or alk
Been feeding phyto about 2-3 times a week
Temp fluctuates from 80 to 84 from when the lights go on and off
Clam is on the tank floor in front

When I first got him he opened right away, and opened fully in 3 days. His color went from a pale color to a slightly darker hue of the same color over the time Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve had him. He was fully extended and looking good till 2 days ago

Two days ago two of his lobes (I think that is what they are) were wrinkled, he was on his side, and his larger opening was slightly closed. Then yesterday I noticed he had let go of the clam shell he was attached to. When the lights turned on he immediately turned on his side, then I went to the bathroom, and started to mix up some kalk, 10 minutes later when I looked at him again he had moved 6 inches to the right and was upright. I canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t see the side of him that looked bad now because of the way heââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s facing, but from what I can tell it still looked bad.

I started dripping kalk as my top off water 2 times a day with a perasaltic pump as soon as I noticed he was unhappy, I hope this fixes the problem and itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s not too late. Heââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s still mostly open. I was going to do this much earlier for him but the parts I was waiting on from premium acquatics were 2 weeks late because of a back order.

He closes quickly when I obstruct the light over him.

Opinions/help?

Thanks in advance,
Kyle

 

[mbbuna]

you need to get a test kit and test for Ca/Alk and Mg. if these #'s are very low the clam wont be happy. Kalk is good for maintaining Ca and Alk but its not good for raising it.
on a 29g tank to raise the Ca fro 300ppm to 420ppm you would need to add 4.5g of kalk. thats not very practical at all.get the test kits and a 2 part sup and a Mg sup, then raise you #'s to about 420ppmCa, 3.5meq/l Alk, 1250ppmMg and then we can go from there.

you can use this to help you in how much to dose

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[kysmith]

I have a alk and calcium test kit I guess I'll get a Mg test kit too. How fast do clams usually deteriorate? How much time do I have to turn him around?

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[mbbuna]

they will go pretty quick. post whatever water test #'s you have and then we can go from there

what fish do you have?

 

[kysmith]

I have a pygmy angel a maroon clown, and a bicolor blenny plus 3 cleaner shrimp.

 

[kysmith]

will post water #'s tonight

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6863666#post6863666 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kysmith
I have a pygmy angel a maroon clown, and a bicolor blenny plus 3 cleaner shrimp.

2 of the 3 fish you have are known nippers(angel & blenny) that could be it right there. i would still post the #'s and get them in line. and if you have a few hours then stand back from the tank where the fish really cant see you and just keep an eye on the clam. one nip is all it takes for the clam to stay closed up for a while.

 

[kysmith]

OK I'll watch them, I didn't get home from work till 10 (and left at 7:30 ug), so all I did was calcium which is at 375. Will get mag test kit tonight, and get the other numbers up.

 

[kysmith]

mg 1170

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6880823#post6880823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kysmith
mg 1170

bring that up to 1300

 

[kysmith]

is there any risk of rising the mg levels too quickly, I've been adding Kent Marine Tech M slowly. Can I just calculate how much additive it will take to raise the levels up to where I want them, and drip it in over a 2-3 hour period?

 

[smcnally]

I've raised up to 100ppm a day in my tank with no problems.

 

[kysmith]

I overshot the goal and am at 1440 now, and my calcium was 400 this morning. I'll check the level since adding some calcium booster in a little while.

 

[kysmith]

so the waters are clam friendly now?

 

[mbbuna]

if you Ca/Alk and Mg are right now,see how the clam reacts over the next day or two and we can go from there

 

[kysmith]

he's looking worse, not better I think he's going to die. Would it be a good idea to try to find someone who has a more stable tank for a possible recovery or would that just kill him for sure? I don't know why he's not recovering arg......

 

[mbbuna]

add extra carbon, in a canister if you can

 

[Peabody]

Get the blenny and angel out ASAP. You will not be able to keep one with them in the tank.

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6960974#post6960974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peabody
Get the blenny and angel out ASAP. You will not be able to keep one with them in the tank.

your right Peabody, i forgot those fish were in there

 

[kysmith]

but I haven't seen them touch the clam, I'll try sectioning him off and see what happens, although he's not looking good.

Kyle