clams good for corals

Ty1e · 08/13/2007, 10:40 PM

are clams good for corals (do they fed corals with there eggs) or are they just a neet addition to the tank and hard to keep happy.

thinking of getting one for my 30gal (future sps dominated home).

ezrec · 08/13/2007, 10:45 PM

If I recall correctly, mussels and oysters (non-photosynthetic relatives of the clam) spawn fequently, and are easier to keep.

bertoni · 08/13/2007, 11:08 PM

I think they're mostly just a show animal. They might spawn, but I don't think that'd be regular enough to be of value as a food.

theatrus · 08/14/2007, 12:10 AM

For that matter, many filter-feeding only animals starve in aquariums. I.e., flame scallops will starve in most systems over time.

schoch79 · 08/14/2007, 01:08 AM

I would say they are mostly for show. And yes, for the most part they are harder to "keep happy". They also especially need a higher intensity light source.

taillonjohn · 08/14/2007, 07:11 AM

I dont think clams are too hard to keep happy. As long as you do your homework, good water quality, strong enough lighting, they are rather maintenance free (once you find the spot in the tank that they like). I have a harder time keeping my softies happy than my clam. IME

Ty1e · 08/14/2007, 08:15 AM

thanks guys, i'll do more home work.

ezrec · 08/14/2007, 08:28 AM

Something I've noticed, is that when I have my skimmer on, my phytoplankton population crashes, and ends up as a 'green soup' in my collection cup.

Maybe skimmers should be normally-off for clam/scallop tanks, except when there is an ammonia spike?

Too bad there isn't an 'ammonia switch' that we could use to turn the skimmer on when needed.

Nano Chris · 08/14/2007, 08:51 AM

I have heard that clams filter the water but put nitrates back into the water, so no real help.

08/13/2007, 10:40 PM	#1
Ty1e Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 620	clams good for corals are clams good for corals (do they fed corals with there eggs) or are they just a neet addition to the tank and hard to keep happy. thinking of getting one for my 30gal (future sps dominated home). __________________ Tyson. Current Tank Info: 70 gal rimless

08/13/2007, 10:45 PM	#2
ezrec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 66	If I recall correctly, mussels and oysters (non-photosynthetic relatives of the clam) spawn fequently, and are easier to keep. __________________ What, no Aiptasia? Current Tank Info: 55g + 15g sump/refugim Experimental Pest Tank

08/13/2007, 11:08 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think they're mostly just a show animal. They might spawn, but I don't think that'd be regular enough to be of value as a food. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/14/2007, 12:10 AM	#4
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	For that matter, many filter-feeding only animals starve in aquariums. I.e., flame scallops will starve in most systems over time. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/14/2007, 01:08 AM	#5
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	I would say they are mostly for show. And yes, for the most part they are harder to "keep happy". They also especially need a higher intensity light source. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

08/14/2007, 07:11 AM	#6
taillonjohn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 753	I dont think clams are too hard to keep happy. As long as you do your homework, good water quality, strong enough lighting, they are rather maintenance free (once you find the spot in the tank that they like). I have a harder time keeping my softies happy than my clam. IME __________________ John

08/14/2007, 08:15 AM	#7
Ty1e Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 620	thanks guys, i'll do more home work. __________________ Tyson. Current Tank Info: 70 gal rimless

08/14/2007, 08:28 AM	#8
ezrec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 66	Something I've noticed, is that when I have my skimmer on, my phytoplankton population crashes, and ends up as a 'green soup' in my collection cup. Maybe skimmers should be normally-off for clam/scallop tanks, except when there is an ammonia spike? Too bad there isn't an 'ammonia switch' that we could use to turn the skimmer on when needed. __________________ What, no Aiptasia? Current Tank Info: 55g + 15g sump/refugim Experimental Pest Tank

08/14/2007, 08:51 AM	#9
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	I have heard that clams filter the water but put nitrates back into the water, so no real help. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!