Best of the best?

tmc5983 · 11/18/2006, 03:56 PM

Just started the hobby. I own a 210 gallon, 10,000K MH, 2VHO's. I've purchased an electric flame scallop, a blue liknia starfish and a small tridacna clam. After looking into it, I realized that all these specimens are difficult to keep. Am I at a total loss of watching these specimens die? I would do whatever it takes to keep them alive . . .the best salts, the best skimmer, . . . any advice?

Andrew · 11/18/2006, 04:03 PM

The scallop may not last but as long as you keep your levels stable and on track the clam and star may still survive.

Randall_James · 11/18/2006, 04:14 PM

The Scallop and small clam require copious amounts of plankton foods. The Linkia? sort of an unknown there.

The scallop will probably perish and not much you can do about that. The starfish may or may not make it with your setup. A lot of rock and large system certainly helps your odds.

Target feeding of small clams seems to work pretty well. I have seen where some actually remove the clam to a separate container and load it with phytoplankton every other day. The clam will consume the plankton and you can return it to the tank. I took a ziplock container and put a tube to it. I cover the small clam on the substrate, inject the phyto through the tube and let it sit for 20 minutes. I have since quit with clams under 3" as they are a PITA...

These items are pretty common "impulse" buys... and most do not last very long so you are not alone. It probably goes without saying now but avoid impulse buys at all costs...

Best salt? that is a big argument among tank keepers but I use Reef Crystals in my sps and Instant ocean in my softie tanks (calcium requirements).

Best skimmer: I like precision marine for Beckett type. But again, there are a lot of good skimmers. For a tank your size, I would expect to spend around $400-500 on a skimmer of adequate size. You might want to even consider 2 smaller skimmers rather than a single large one.(more consistent skimming as you can alternate cleaning days)

Anyway, I would just suggest you research any purchase and search the forums for people that already have the items.

Take a look at the "used equipment" forum for used skimmers (they do not really wear out) if cost is any issue

IPowderBlueTang · 11/18/2006, 04:18 PM

The flame will eventually die as everyone that I know that own one eventually died. The linkia will starve to death, it will eventually shrink and die. Diet is still unknown. These two will last an average 6 -12 months.
Clam has to be feed if under 3 inches and later become more light dependant as they grow.
Only from my experience!

tmc5983 · 11/18/2006, 04:22 PM

Randall,
Thanks for your reply. What an excellent idea regarding the clam. I'll do that. I suppose he has the best survival odds. I wonder if I could do the same for the scallop? Can you reccomend a star fish that will do well? Something hardy? Are flame scallops just as difficult or impossible as electric flames?

Randall_James · 11/18/2006, 04:29 PM

I would not keep any scallop..

Red thorny stars do pretty well, and some guys have ok luck with some linkia but I would not put any in a tank less than a year old...

Serpent stars do pretty well but can become predatory with size. I have had them without problems and they do a nice job of keeping food cleaned off floor of tank

Stay away from chocolate chip and sand sifters as well.

11/18/2006, 03:56 PM	#1
tmc5983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 25	Best of the best? Just started the hobby. I own a 210 gallon, 10,000K MH, 2VHO's. I've purchased an electric flame scallop, a blue liknia starfish and a small tridacna clam. After looking into it, I realized that all these specimens are difficult to keep. Am I at a total loss of watching these specimens die? I would do whatever it takes to keep them alive . . .the best salts, the best skimmer, . . . any advice?

11/18/2006, 04:14 PM	#3
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	The Scallop and small clam require copious amounts of plankton foods. The Linkia? sort of an unknown there. The scallop will probably perish and not much you can do about that. The starfish may or may not make it with your setup. A lot of rock and large system certainly helps your odds. Target feeding of small clams seems to work pretty well. I have seen where some actually remove the clam to a separate container and load it with phytoplankton every other day. The clam will consume the plankton and you can return it to the tank. I took a ziplock container and put a tube to it. I cover the small clam on the substrate, inject the phyto through the tube and let it sit for 20 minutes. I have since quit with clams under 3" as they are a PITA... These items are pretty common "impulse" buys... and most do not last very long so you are not alone. It probably goes without saying now but avoid impulse buys at all costs... Best salt? that is a big argument among tank keepers but I use Reef Crystals in my sps and Instant ocean in my softie tanks (calcium requirements). Best skimmer: I like precision marine for Beckett type. But again, there are a lot of good skimmers. For a tank your size, I would expect to spend around $400-500 on a skimmer of adequate size. You might want to even consider 2 smaller skimmers rather than a single large one.(more consistent skimming as you can alternate cleaning days) Anyway, I would just suggest you research any purchase and search the forums for people that already have the items. Take a look at the "used equipment" forum for used skimmers (they do not really wear out) if cost is any issue __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/18/2006, 04:29 PM	#6
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I would not keep any scallop.. Red thorny stars do pretty well, and some guys have ok luck with some linkia but I would not put any in a tank less than a year old... Serpent stars do pretty well but can become predatory with size. I have had them without problems and they do a nice job of keeping food cleaned off floor of tank Stay away from chocolate chip and sand sifters as well. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/18/2006, 04:03 PM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	The scallop may not last but as long as you keep your levels stable and on track the clam and star may still survive.

11/18/2006, 04:18 PM	#4
IPowderBlueTang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Canada Posts: 769	The flame will eventually die as everyone that I know that own one eventually died. The linkia will starve to death, it will eventually shrink and die. Diet is still unknown. These two will last an average 6 -12 months. Clam has to be feed if under 3 inches and later become more light dependant as they grow. Only from my experience!

11/18/2006, 04:22 PM	#5
tmc5983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 25	Randall, Thanks for your reply. What an excellent idea regarding the clam. I'll do that. I suppose he has the best survival odds. I wonder if I could do the same for the scallop? Can you reccomend a star fish that will do well? Something hardy? Are flame scallops just as difficult or impossible as electric flames?