Equipment for Clams

[lauep]

Hi all,

I just got my new 3ft tank and I have plans to put 2 Clams (Blue Maxima & Squamosa).

Do you essentially need a Calcium Reactor for its growth?

Do clams eat also copepods as part of their supplementary diet?

Besides a Calcium Reactor do you need other equipment for growth and stability?

Your advise are greatly appreciated! [/fo

[qwertman321]

Lighting: The color of the clam's mantle and use that as your judge for where your clam should go. Some T. maxima's will show vivid coloration and others will be showing off the brown color of their zooxanthellae. If your clam's color is iridescent, it has adapted to bright lighting and should be placed closer to the top of your tank. If your clam is mainly brown, it should be placed lower in your tank away from strong lighting.

Temperature: 26°C - 28°C

Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.024. Salinity is also important, too high or low a salinity can cause the death of a clam. Try to keep specific gravity between 1.023 and 1.025.

pH: 8.3. Do not let the aquarium exceed a pH above 8.4.

Hardness: Maintain a dkh of 8.

Water Movement: Maxima Clams can handle strong water motion, however high currents should not be a constant condition.

[jackywongto]

Hi all,

I just got my new 3ft tank and I have plans to put 2 Clams (Blue Maxima & Squamosa).

Do you essentially need a Calcium Reactor for its growth?

Do clams eat also copepods as part of their supplementary diet?

Besides a Calcium Reactor do you need other equipment for growth and stability?

Your advise are greatly appreciated! [/fo

Hi bro

You can also dose Calcium additives manually.

Having a CR with CO2 and solenoid, controller will ease the dosing regime.

Young clams requires Phytoplankton. 3 inch and above are above to sustain themselves by making food from good strong lights.

Would suggest you get 3 inch and above clams.

good luck!

[FuEl]

If you want the clam to grow at natural speeds, it would be good to dose phytoplankton throughout its lifespan. They filter feed all the time in the wild.

Copepods are usually prey items for polyped animals like sun corals, SPS, sea fans, etc.

[jackywongto]

If you want the clam to grow at natural speeds, it would be good to dose phytoplankton throughout its lifespan. They filter feed all the time in the wild.

yah +1

[lauep]

Hi bro

You can also dose Calcium additives manually.

Having a CR with CO2 and solenoid, controller will ease the dosing regime.

Young clams requires Phytoplankton. 3 inch and above are above to sustain themselves by making food from good strong lights.

Would suggest you get 3 inch and above clams.

good luck!

__________

I see bro... I intend to put about 3-5 clams in my tank.

2 x 6 - 7" clams & the rest of them would be those about 3" in size.

Are bigger clams harder to take care off?

[lauep]

If you want the clam to grow at natural speeds, it would be good to dose phytoplankton throughout its lifespan. They filter feed all the time in the wild.

Copepods are usually prey items for polyped animals like sun corals, SPS, sea fans, etc.

_____

Hi FuEl bro, thanks. I assume phytoplankton would be easily available at marine shops rite? =)

[jackywongto]

__________

I see bro... I intend to put about 3-5 clams in my tank.

2 x 6 - 7" clams & the rest of them would be those about 3" in size.

Are bigger clams harder to take care off?

I think the taking care of part is anout the same.

Only that bigger clams takes in more calcium.

[lauep]

I think the taking care of part is anout the same.

Only that bigger clams takes in more calcium.

___

I see. At most I'll dose a bit more for bigger clams. Thanks for your advise bro.

Btw, aside from the above care information, I have also read lots of article on clam care.

Do you have any personal advise or tips that can make clam care easier?

[FuEl]

_____

Hi FuEl bro, thanks. I assume phytoplankton would be easily available at marine shops rite? =)

Yes. I strongly suggest you get live phytoplankton. A live product is safer to use as even when you overdose, you do not end up fouling your tank as much when compared to a processed product.

[jackywongto]

___

I see. At most I'll dose a bit more for bigger clams. Thanks for your advise bro.

Btw, aside from the above care information, I have also read lots of article on clam care.

Do you have any personal advise or tips that can make clam care easier?

My clams died. So i should be the last one to answer your question

The Lessons I learnt is that - once you place them in a position, just let them be.

Do not move them if they are already secured to a rock.

get a calcium tester.

Try to have their mantle facing up so that they will have more direct light.

Clams look brightest when see from top down. They look darker when you look from the front of your tank.

If you are going to view your clams from the front, choose lighter coloured clams.

can try to get DT live Phytoplankton to feed your clams. Golden Octopus sells them.

Suggest you start with 1 or 2 1st. 4 inch or so will be a good size

They are also very sensitive to PH fluctuations. Do monitor your water parameters.

Higher DKH will have lower fluctuations.

[lauep]

Yes. I strongly suggest you get live phytoplankton. A live product is safer to use as even when you overdose, you do not end up fouling your tank as much when compared to a processed product.

___

Where to get live plankton?

I saw some online store that they sell plankton cultivator. Does it help? Would Iwarna sell such an equipment?

[FuEl]

___

Where to get live plankton?

I saw some online store that they sell plankton cultivator. Does it help? Would Iwarna sell such an equipment?

Live phytoplankton do get brought in from time to time. Unless you are experienced in phytoplankton culture, I do not recommend that you attempt it to feed your tank. If you harvest the phytoplankton too early, you end up pouring excess nutrients into your tank. If you harvest too late, the nutrition of the phytoplankton is not there. Those packaged for aquarium use have already been harvested at the optimal growth period for optimal nutrition and could have been separated physically from the growth media. As such, you do not end up pouring excess nutrients into your tank.

[lauep]

Live phytoplankton do get brought in from time to time. Unless you are experienced in phytoplankton culture, I do not recommend that you attempt it to feed your tank. If you harvest the phytoplankton too early, you end up pouring excess nutrients into your tank. If you harvest too late, the nutrition of the phytoplankton is not there. Those packaged for aquarium use have already been harvested at the optimal growth period for optimal nutrition and could have been separated physically from the growth media. As such, you do not end up pouring excess nutrients into your tank.

____________

I see. Thanks for all the advices, wonderful bros.

I will bear in mind all the information that you all have given.

Kudos to all!