When a clam looses color can it come back?

[RKM]

Just wondering if clams loose their color? If so what may do this, and can it be corrected.

I bought this clam about 8 months ago. Back then I thought It had more color in it. Since I bought it. It has grown, and the mantle is much bigger. Or it opens up much bigger.

The color is a brownish/pink kind of color. You can see specks of blue, and green in it also.

Is their anything I can do.

The CA is at above 400, the ALK is a tad low. I have 2 250w 10k MH's and 2 small 25w blue T-5's.

Any ideas? Still looks healthy. The shell is about 4"

Here is a picture from the top. It showes the colors better. It is very close.

And here is one from the side to show the size

at this time the water was in not its best condition . Here were the water tests.
salinity 1.02
ph 7.7
nitrate 25
KH in dKH 7.04
Alk 2.51
Ca 470

I buffered the water with Ph buffer it moved my tests to better results. I also have been adding salt very slowly. Its been 3 days since I have been doing this.

Here are the current tests.
salinity 1.022
PH says 7.7 (Salifert) other tester says 8.2
Notrate still 25
Kh in dKH is 14.4
Alk is 5.1
Ca is 420

I still need a water change.

Will the color come back????

 

[Barry N.]

AAC,

I don't want to beat you up but your clam appears to be very bleached.

You said that his mantle are opening up more now, that is normally a sign that he is reaching for more light. How old are your lights?

Your water chemistry is off the charts IMHO. I would try to get your water chemistry slowly within range with the help of water changes.

The color may come back but it look severe and let's hope the pigmentation is not too damaged.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

It will come back, you already know what you need to do. stay on top of the water chem!!

 

[RKM]

I want to say that I bought the MH's back in Nov...Is that to long for the bulbs?7-8 months.

What is so off the charts about my water. I thought the Ca, and Alk were right on now. I think my PH is where it needs to be. For some reason my Salifert says my PH is low. my other reef masters set says it is fine. I have never seen a green or blue test with my salifert test....I may test my tap water just to see. I know it has 8+ PH. I am bringing up my salinity slowly. So I don't do more harm than good to the fish.

So you think the bulbs are to old? I guess they aren't strong enough for the clam to produce zolathe(sp) and loosing color. Am I correct with this assumption

 

[Charlie Davidson]

are they ushio? ( I will never use another one) Water changes? more info is needed tank size etc. Swings in Water chem= bad news. And hey, chill, we are all here to help each other.

 

[RKM]

I have an off brand I think....Venture. I have not heard anyone talking about them. The tank is around 120 gal. I have been swinging the water chemistry over three days now. The salinity has only gone up .002. I hope that is slow enough. Although the Alk/dKH moved quickly when I buffered the water with Ph. The raise in Alk pulled down the Ca. Normal from what I have read....Just the PH. I think I may go and get a 3rd test kit.

Just in case the salifert test kit is correct. And my PH is at 7.7-7.8 How would I get that up without throwing my Alk/dKH through the roof?

My guess is a 20% water change!!!am I close...

 

[RKM]

The Mh's are powered by a Blue wave II dual pulse start, and 2 reef optic reflectors.

The t-5's are just a small 24" retrofit kit I added to suppliment the blue. They work very well for little bulbs.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I have used ventures, they worked very well. 5500k, but as white or more than many 10k bulbs I have tried. I have not used them for an extended period, so I do not know life on them. I installed one on my 2weeks ago!! Hang in there, I once did a 40-50% water change, althought there was a chance, it worked fine!! r/o water+ salt> mix with pump for a 12-16 hours. Make sure water is at temp. and sal. before adding.

 

[Barry N.]

Like Charlie stated, hang in there.

Tridacnids do not like pH swings but in your case that is not the problem with the clam bleaching. I as well use Ushio bulbs and change them out every 10 months or so. I personally like saliferts tests as I have tried other brands and repeated the test one after another and got a different reading and with saliferts it always the same.

I would continue with water changes till things get back to the norm. If you purchase new bulbs, acclimate the clam/s to the intense light by lowering your photo period or shield the clam over a few weeks. I like to use a piece of plastic that come with some of the tanks and rub it with saltwater and when it dries, it will male a good filter/shield.