Lighting Requirements for Tridacnids

[gulfstream]

Since this has come on the open,I've been having discussions with other mambers here in my city regarding Clams>>....
so the question is........would clams do ok with T5 lights,which seems to be a new trend going!!
I keep mine under dual 250w bulbs......but I would like to get
my doubts out.
thanks

[hahnmeister]

Clams will do fine under T5s. In fact, I would bet they will get more light if at the bottom of a T5 lit tank than a halide lit tank of similar wattage.

Like I mentioned before, the perception of clams that need alot of light was developed years ago when lighting options werent very efficient. The only alternative to halide was a PC system... and PC systems suck at getting the required amount of light into the tank, you know? The sand in most PC lit reefs is lucky to be under 30-50 micromol's of PAR. With halides back then, getting 100 to the sand was good, and this would be sort of the minimum for croceas and maximas. This is where the perception came from.

Now, lighting systems can easily make light values in the 200's at the sand with the same wattage, even more so with T5s because they penetrate the water better. This is plenty for clams.

Oh, BTW, I would say a 8-10 hour photoperiod is ideal. I go 8 hours of halide+T5, with a one hour before and after of just T5s. I have gone as little as 8 hours with the T5s though (all on, all off) and been just fine. In nature, sure, the daily photoperiod might be about 11 hours, but much of that is 'off peak' like in the morning and late afternoon. During the noon peak, the intensities might be much higher than what we have in our tanks, but this is only for a couple hours, if that. For much of the day, our tanks tend to provide more than what they are getting in nature otherwise, and because of this, having a 10-12 hour photoperiod doesnt make the best of sense (unless you have very weak lighting you are making up for).

[gulfstream]

thanks .....
for a very useful info....
I got 3 clams (wife addiction)LOL
I got a dersa/Squamosa and a bright red which I don't know what type it is.however I find them to be doing very well with the MH and tend to retract a bit once the t5 come on.
other than that they seem fine.......
as for your info I will pass your info to other people who have same doubts I did.
thanks.

[briangg57]

1-1/2 years under 390 watts PC's 11 inches deep. This clam defineatly Has grown and seems very happy

[briangg57]

[briangg57]

I know most people say,my clam will be chowder soon BUT he really is growing with great mantel and color. He is only 11 inches deep at the mantel and my lights do rest directly on mt tank. I'm sure this is the reason for growth and health.

[ezcompany]

great looking tank, that rbta is awesome!

[hahnmeister]

Why do you agree that your clam would be chowder? I dont think that would be the case.

[briangg57]

I don't for a second agree with others that say my clam is under impropper lighting. This clam couldn't be healthier. But When I answered a post of someone asking If clams can be kept under reg. PC's,and I said how I had this clam for 1-1/2 years I got swamped with people telling me they should only be under halides and t-5's as a minimum. Also alot of people tell me that crocea clams are the most light demanding of clams. They may be right but as long as nobody tells my clam, I think we'll be just fine.My clam is such a ham, he had me take this picture today, just to say

[briangg57]

opps,

[ezcompany]

like i mentioned, each clam is its own individual. there's no doubt that your clam will do great in metal halides or t5s, but there is also no doubt your clam is just fine under your power compacts as well

[fuschia_red]

interesting.

[juliovideo]

To 35" height (bulb and Clam) ...........with two HQI 250 watts 14 k and 20 leds of 1 watt each(actinic ) it's a total 20 watts leds.........................only 4 days in my 156 g tank !!!








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[tiff393]

Thank you for making this thread it was very helpful with my new clam!!!

[FiSHy sAy HeY]

Very helpful thread. Do you think a Deresa or Squasamosa clam will do good under 4 54watt T-5bulbs w/o individual reflectors? The clam would be 19"from the water surface. Would I need to put it exactly under the bulbs or could I put the clam in the front where it wouldnt be exactly under my light fixture?


Thanks in advance

[jkdsr78]

Very informative. This is the best reef site out. Period!

[drauka99]

Do you happen to have some specific PAR values for each species of Clam? I am looking at a Deresa clam and where i woudl want to keep it is getting 50-70 PAR

[montrealreef]

Thanks for the great info.

I have a quick question (I'm sorry if someone has already answered this) . Does the color of the clam influence its light requirements? for example does a gold Crocea have the same requirement as a blue/green Crocea?

Thanks,

Sam

[starchyld]

are they ok under a solaris led system?

[starchyld]

are they ok under a solaris led system?

[Maximus Clammus]

Yes clams should be fine with that light.

[DPalm3]

thanks!

[letter2no]

this is my clam under 2x150w 20kk

[mastershake72]

Does anybody have pictures of their clams under the Aqua Illumination lighting?

[mph84]

hey guys,
I just picked up a blue maxima the other day and he seemed to be fine for a day or two. He opened every day and attached to the rock I set him on. all the sudden my shrimp(cleaners and peppermints) are going crazy picking at him. It sounds like he's dying, I'm hoping for a miracle cure!! If anyone can please help thanks.

MIke