buying a clam ?

Ehgemus · 08/18/2006, 11:00 PM

I would like to buy a clam, what kind should I buy? and what do I need to know about them?
I have a 46 gallon bowfront tank with 1-250w MH light, that should be plenty of light. right? and I know you need to feed phytoplankton for the clam, and I already grow that for my other corals.
thanks for any help.

mg426 · 08/19/2006, 12:15 AM

I would think thats light would be ok for any type of clam. Crocea are the most light loving. you can keep it up on the rocks if you need to.

Avi · 08/19/2006, 05:54 AM

Clams will grow pretty quickly and they use a lot of calcium in that process so monitor the calcium regularly. Your lighing should be enough. When you place it on the substrate, and look down from above, the colors should be bright and pronounced. If they aren't, move the clam upward on the rockwork to a place where it will be in brighter light and not in danger of falling.

liquidlunch · 08/19/2006, 06:37 AM

A derrassa is considered a "starter" clam. I picked my first one up last month and it's doing great under VHO lighting. I also have a kalk reactor to maintain my calcium.

Ehgemus · 08/19/2006, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the feedback.
So I should be good on lighting,
what about feeding are you suppose to spot feed them phytoplankton or just feed the tank? also what else do they eat?
also how do clams reproduce?

liquidlunch · 08/19/2006, 09:00 AM

From what I understand, they require spot feeding when they are young and then rely less on food and more on light as they mature. Mine is 3 inches and I do not spot feed. I probably should but I don't...he's doing fine.

08/18/2006, 11:00 PM	#1
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	buying a clam ? I would like to buy a clam, what kind should I buy? and what do I need to know about them? I have a 46 gallon bowfront tank with 1-250w MH light, that should be plenty of light. right? and I know you need to feed phytoplankton for the clam, and I already grow that for my other corals. thanks for any help.

08/19/2006, 12:15 AM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I would think thats light would be ok for any type of clam. Crocea are the most light loving. you can keep it up on the rocks if you need to. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

08/19/2006, 05:54 AM	#3
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Clams will grow pretty quickly and they use a lot of calcium in that process so monitor the calcium regularly. Your lighing should be enough. When you place it on the substrate, and look down from above, the colors should be bright and pronounced. If they aren't, move the clam upward on the rockwork to a place where it will be in brighter light and not in danger of falling. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

08/19/2006, 06:37 AM	#4
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	A derrassa is considered a "starter" clam. I picked my first one up last month and it's doing great under VHO lighting. I also have a kalk reactor to maintain my calcium.

08/19/2006, 08:08 AM	#5
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	Thanks for the feedback. So I should be good on lighting, what about feeding are you suppose to spot feed them phytoplankton or just feed the tank? also what else do they eat? also how do clams reproduce?

08/19/2006, 09:00 AM	#6
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	From what I understand, they require spot feeding when they are young and then rely less on food and more on light as they mature. Mine is 3 inches and I do not spot feed. I probably should but I don't...he's doing fine.