FL for clam....

[houndster]

Can the clams surive on 2 FLs for a 1 ft deep tank?? What is the best lighting for clams?

[hotlemond]

a better T5 or MH. But with MH better run chiller also

[aStRoBo|]

minimal is PL. no no for FL. Mh is the best.

[FuEl]

Can the clams surive on 2 FLs for a 1 ft deep tank?? What is the best lighting for clams?

Depends on your tank width, placement of clam and the type of FL used. From what I understand, Zoo Med & Coralife FLs are the better brands to go for if you decide to stick to FLs. You've got to situate the lights directly on top of the clam. You can maximise the light intensity by using proper reflectors for each FL tube. Go for a color temp between 6,500K and 10,000K. As for the clam, you could try a derasa or a maxima. Avoid croceas as they come from shallower waters in the wild. In general, the more brightly colored a clam, the higher the light intensity it requires. Getting the right sized clam to be kept under FLs is also an issue. Smaller clams rely alot on phytoplankton supplement. If I did'nt remember wrongly any clam above 3" can survive primarily on lighting. You still have to feed them, but not in the larger proportion which smaller clams need to survive. Anyway, a clam will survive and grow as long as it has positive energy gain. Light & feeding will play important roles in this case. Lighting being the more important factor for bigger or colourful clams.

It's easy to tell if the clam is getting insufficient lighting. If the clam does not have enough light it will extend its mantles further outwards than normal.

If you notice slower growth than usual, it might be due to lighting intensity dropping (which means you got to replace the tube). Or you might have to check your Ca and kH levels to make sure it's optimum. If you notice no growth at all despite Ca and kH levels being correct, it means the FL lighting is too weak or your placement is too far from the lights. Visible growth should be seen in 2-3 weeks. Growth will be more visible in smaller specimens (Eg. thumb length maximas) as you will be able to see scute development rather clearly.

If you decide to try, choose clams that respond to shadow movement and avoid any that are gaping or have damaged bases. Ideally pick one which is attached to a small piece of rock.

[houndster]

Depends on your tank width, placement of clam and the type of FL used. From what I understand, Zoo Med & Coralife FLs are the better brands to go for if you decide to stick to FLs. You've got to situate the lights directly on top of the clam. You can maximise the light intensity by using proper reflectors for each FL tube. Go for a color temp between 6,500K and 10,000K. As for the clam, you could try a derasa or a maxima. Avoid croceas as they come from shallower waters in the wild. In general, the more brightly colored a clam, the higher the light intensity it requires. Getting the right sized clam to be kept under FLs is also an issue. Smaller clams rely alot on phytoplankton supplement. If I did'nt remember wrongly any clam above 3" can survive primarily on lighting. You still have to feed them, but not in the larger proportion which smaller clams need to survive. Anyway, a clam will survive and grow as long as it has positive energy gain. Light & feeding will play important roles in this case. Lighting being the more important factor for bigger or colourful clams.

It's easy to tell if the clam is getting insufficient lighting. If the clam does not have enough light it will extend its mantles further outwards than normal.

If you notice slower growth than usual, it might be due to lighting intensity dropping (which means you got to replace the tube). Or you might have to check your Ca and kH levels to make sure it's optimum. If you notice no growth at all despite Ca and kH levels being correct, it means the FL lighting is too weak or your placement is too far from the lights. Visible growth should be seen in 2-3 weeks. Growth will be more visible in smaller specimens (Eg. thumb length maximas) as you will be able to see scute development rather clearly.

If you decide to try, choose clams that respond to shadow movement and avoid any that are gaping or have damaged bases. Ideally pick one which is attached to a small piece of rock.

Thanks FuEl,

A very good info of clam needs.....

[klim]

Hi FuEL,

My Light is T5NO @ 28w (2 white and 2 blue), believed the intensity should be able to reach my 1.5 height feet tank.

Currently, my temp is around 28C, can I keep clam?

If I direct feed the clam, how many times do I need to feed per week?

How long the light must switch on per day?

Appreciate your advice.

[FuEl]

Hi FuEL,

My Light is T5NO @ 28w (2 white and 2 blue), believed the intensity should be able to reach my 1.5 height feet tank.

Currently, my temp is around 28C, can I keep clam?

If I direct feed the clam, how many times do I need to feed per week?

How long the light must switch on per day?

Appreciate your advice.

I'm no clam expert. I have only kept a baby maxima before. If you decide to try I would suggest you place the clam no further than 10-15cm from the light source. I have kept my clam in 28 degrees before, but that's not the point. The main thing you need is to ensure stability in your system. Temperature is just a factor which might increase the chances and magnitude of things going wrong if your stability is not there. I have no way to tell how much you can feed your clam, there's no golden rule to stick to. A lighting of at least 8 hours should be implemented. However, if you are using low intensity lighting (Eg FL, PL) I would suggest a longer photoperiod of 10-12 hours.

[typrobin]

i used to spray my clams with 250W and no chiller...only cooling with fans...temperature around 28 most of the time...guess it shouldn't be a prob...

for clams, dun forget the calcium and kh that they require...i had 2 croceas in my old 3ft tank, i supplement them with kalk only...no money to buy CR...so dose kalk everyday...of course my evaporation is super high, because i use fans...3-4ltr per day...

clams grew well, i think...and survived with me for about 4-5mths before i sold them away...grew at least 3 "folds", dunno wat is it called, extra shell??, watever....

IMO, clams are light dependant, so if u are thinkin of PL, quite dangerous...t5, i would say place them as high as 4inches below water level...

just my opinion lah...still up to individuals..