Things i should know before getting a clam

[BigDaddyD1992]

Ok so my lighting will be one radion xr30w gen 3, and it will be added before i begin to add corals to my 40 breeder. Was just wondering if anyone had some advice on owning your first clam, should it be in the sandbed or on live rock in the the sandbed, etc. More nervous about this then coral for some reason lol! Im going with a tridacna derasa because ive heard they're the hardiest.

Thanks

 

[MondoBongo]

placement and lighting requirements depend heavily on which species you get.

if you're thinking T. derasa, then don't put it on the rocks. they're sand dwellers.

here is a meta post i did linking to some of my thoughts on picking out good clams, and setting yourself up for success:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2419712

 

[Harse Designs]

which clam grows the fastest

 

[Alex Costa]

Here the squamosas are the fastest growers...

 

[MondoBongo]

clam growth rates can vary wildly between individuals of the same hatch/settlement, let along between species. so i don't think it is possible to give a definitive answer on which species grows the fastest.

factor in the myriad of environmental variables, and you're basically just guessing.

 

[Mark9]

I wasn't prepared for the clam being a calcium sponge.
Quickly threw my numbers out of whack, bought the BRS full dosing kit very soon after.
It was a around 6-7" Maxima.

 

[Giovanni]

I wasn't prepared for the clam being a calcium sponge.
Quickly threw my numbers out of whack, bought the BRS full dosing kit very soon after.
It was a around 6-7" Maxima.

This is why I like to add small 2" - 3" clams and let them grow. Your system and you have time to adjust.