Tridacna derasa in sand?

[brayden]

I have a Tridacna derasa located on the bottom on the sand bed. Is this okay or would he rather be with the Crocea's in the rocks?

 

[skinz78]

Derasa's are fine in the sand, as they get bigger they actually close up thier byssal opening and rely on thier weight to hold them in place. Only crocea's bore into rocks. Plus the Derasa is the least light demanding of the tridacnids.

 

[quicksilverq]

thats good to know.

 

[fuschia_red]

I tried keeping my derasa on a rock (no luck). It just kept falling down into the substrate (on purpose). BUT, my croceas? I will NEVER be able to pry them off "their" rock(s). I could angle the rock at a 45 and they will hang there forever. It sux b/c I've been wanting to trade both my croceas for (1) small maxima. I'm willing to take the loss, b/c in about a year they will outgrow my tank.

 

[skinz78]

Never pry a clam from it's rock, you risk damaging the byssal organ and killing it. Take a sharp knife and cut the byssal threads as far away from the clam as possible. The threads are like our fingernails and hair they won't feel it.

 

[xanthurum]

Why do you think the Crocea's will outgrow your tank??? They stay relatively small most get around 8 inches max, same as Maximas. I say keep em and get a Maxima also.

 

[fuschia_red]

I'd love to Eddie but I only have a 55 gallon system and so far I only have to change 10 percent of the water once a week. I have LPS and SPS corals and 3 clams; I haven't had to dose my tank yet since my Calcium has been stable so far at 400 ppm. I would rather have more corals.

I just saw a friend's Maxima and I'm going to be honest...that electric blue is GORGEOUS! The purple colour of my croceas are okay also but I'd rather have a Maxima. I wish I had a 280 like yours; I don't thing I'd leave the house.

 

[andygb54303]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12195585#post12195585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fuschia_red
I'd love to Eddie but I only have a 55 gallon system and so far I only have to change 10 percent of the water once a week. I have LPS and SPS corals and 3 clams; I haven't had to dose my tank yet since my Calcium has been stable so far at 400 ppm. I would rather have more corals.

I just saw a friend's Maxima and I'm going to be honest...that electric blue is GORGEOUS! The purple colour of my croceas are okay also but I'd rather have a Maxima. I wish I had a 280 like yours; I don't thing I'd leave the house.

except to go to the LFS lol