Caring For Clams

[veliferium]

Can all experienced reefers please note down all da important points for clams husbandry...Wad are the things to be aware???

[limbssg]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm

Quote some parts from it:

Lighting

Another important consideration is proper lighting. Some clams require intense lighting to maintain their long term health and color. Such lighting is most effectively and economically provided by metal halide lamps. The wattage and number of lamps required depends upon the dimensions of your system and the species that you intend to keep. Suffice it to say, in most aquariums with a depth of 20" to 30", a 175 - 250 watt metal halide lamp per square foot will do a great job. In aquariums less than 20” deep, you could also utilize compact fluorescent (PC) and VHO bulbs. Keep in mind that the different species will dictate the lighting requirements. For example, Tridacna crocea and Tridacna maxima require more intense lighting than the other species. Smaller Tridacnids, and those with brown mantles do not require as much light as those with colorful mantles.

Bulb temperatures of 6,500K-10,000K are ideal, and will provide the spectrum the clams need for growth, and will help maintain optimum coloration in the animals.

Water Chemistry

Along with proper lighting, water chemistry plays an important role in health of Tridacnids. The water chemistry should be stable, with no large swings in your specific gravity or pH.

Here are some recommended environmental parameters:

Salinity 1.022 - 1.025

pH 8.0 - 8.4

Alkalinity 9.0 - 11.0 dKh

Calcium 400ppm+

Calcium and alkalinity (carbonate hardness) are the building blocks of Tridacnid shells and should be measured on a regular basis and maintained at the levels listed above. The growth of a juvenile clam is readily evident on the upper margin of the shell, and is a good indicator of the health of the clam. Poor growth of clams is a good indication that something is wrong in the system, and in most cases caused by a lack of available calcium or carbonates.

Calcium is not the only element that is needed by clams for proper growth. Some hobbyists choose to add iodine supplement to their clam tanks because the believe that iodine helps detoxify excessive oxygen radicals produced by symbiotic algae. If you plan on supplementing iodine, be sure to test the water on a regular basis to avoid overdosing which may lead to nuisance algae and other potential problems within the aquarium. Many aquarists believe that enough iodine is added inadvertently through feeding and water changes since iodine is present in both good quality salt mix and in most aquarium foods.

Many other trace elements are important to clam health, but trace element solutions are easily overdosed. Most trace elements can be safely and easily maintained through regular partial water changes. I strongly believe that doing small water changes on a frequent basis is better than larger water changes on a less frequent basis since trace elements will be added more often. Partial water changes have the added benefit of reducing pollutants.