My 3 mth 2ft Nano tank

[blueheaven]

Ok i have decided....SPS will wait till later date.

Now, how about clams?

[Dispar_Anthias]

Ok i have decided....SPS will wait till later date.

Now, how about clams?

That depends on which soecies you want to keep...... basically there are 2 very common less light demanding clams species(derasa and squamosa) and 2 ratehr common high light deamnding clam species(crocea and maxima)...... I left out gigas as it is not very common here and do not have appealing colour which most reefer go after.

Even for derasa and squamosa(low light demanding clam), the least light kind you can keep them under is t5s and usually they does better in MH....... I have seen ppl having success keeping clams under PL by placing them high up but thats not really advisable.

For high light demanding clam, The least light kind you can go for is no other than t5s and even so you have to squeeze many t5s in one tank just to keep the clam alive thus it is best recommended to keep them under MH........ Read up somemore, ultra maxima require at least >250watt of MH to thrive properly but nevertheless if you place the clam high up, 150watt should do.....

[blueheaven]

now i am TOTALLY confused

[Dispar_Anthias]

now i am TOTALLY confused

Just bear in mind if you really wanna keep clam, have as amny t5s as possible and place the clam high up

[blueheaven]

Today i bought a new clam. put it right on the top with its mantles directly facing my PLs. My coral banded shrimp thinks its a fish and "cleans" it once in a while.

Btw i will post more pics after I get my new digicam.

[danano]

Nice compact setup... a good start!

Are your tank dimensions 24" x12" x 12"? If so, your tank is shallow (& narrow) enough where 3 x T5s would suffice for most intents and purposes... any more and it would be wasted light/energy. If you plan on keeping sps in the future, think about adding a sump and upgrading your skimmer as well. You will also need to improve the circulation (i.e. flow rate). IMO, a refugium would be beneficial too.

For the T5s, if you do eventually decide to go with 3 tubes, I recommend 2x Aquablue Special and 1x Blueplus. DIY is one option. Alternatively, you may want to consider the ATI Powerlux triple-light fixture - simply plug'n play. You may find that the savings you get from DIY are not that substantial.

Currently, what else are you doing to care for your clam and corals?

Dan

[blueheaven]

hi dan,

i am intending to have a sump(until i know how one works and where i can place it).

also planning to change the pump in my filter to more than twice the flow rate and upgrade to a Weipro 2011(did i get that correct?) in about six months time.

I have diyed my skimmer a bit to let it be my wavemaker.

now i am trying to grow phytoplankton on agar disks in my school.

the clam i found out to be a crocea and is enjoying my PLs. the mantle expansion is incredible and i like it when it closes up and squirts a jet of water at my other corals

[danano]

How often do you perform water changes?

Now that you've got a clam, maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels is also important.

[FuEl]

Erm...I don't think phytoplankton grow on agar disks..I suppose you are referring to Sabourad's agar? Agar is used to culture fungi.

[blueheaven]

How often do you perform water changes?

Now that you've got a clam, maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels is also important.

I change water every fortnight to keep nitrate levels low. about 5% water change. I maintain alkalinity and calcium by using a "special brew" made my me. it is actually using 1 cup of kalkwasser and 1 cap of Red Sea Calcium Plus and some buffer. den i fill with ultrapure water(there's really such a thing). den i dose every night. the clam looks pretty well.

[SBS_Transit]

May i know what kind of light are u using ?

[CalciumReef]

He stated his tank specs in the 1st post of this thread

[blueheaven]

New pics coming soon.. got my digicam liao

[blueheaven]

Curious to see my tank when i first bought it?

[blueheaven]

UPDATE PICS!!!!!!!!!!!

Full Tank Pic

[blueheaven]

sorri for the large pic

here is the resized one

[blueheaven]

Here is my crocea

[blueheaven]

Right side of tank

[blueheaven]

Left Side of tank

[blueheaven]

Center of tank

[blueheaven]

My clownfish who took my zoos as host

[blueheaven]

My purple mushies

[blueheaven]

My supersize GIANT zoos.(just compare the size of the polyps)

[blueheaven]

My green yuma who always want to touch touch my clam

[blueheaven]

here are my plans for upgrading:

1)Upgrade Protein Skimmer to Weipro 2011

2)Add a powerhead for water current

3)Upgrade lights to MH in March next year

3)Upgrading to 6ft at the end of next year or in 2005