Out of the frying pan, into the fire...help! (Giant Clam related)

AttackDonut · 07/16/2002, 08:52 PM

Good news: I started calcium additions and my green and red algae went away

Bad news: A well meaning client gave me a giant clam for my tank. About 4 inches long, medium brown with gold spots and a green rim around the lips. The shell has little 'scallops' protruding and the mouth openings have little frilly bits, so I ****think**** it's a Tridacna maxima, but I'm not positive...

(1) How do I determine what it is?

(2) How in bloody blue blazes do I keep it happy?

Tank specs:

29 bow front reef
2x55 watt power compacts (10k 50/50)
1x15 watt actinic normal output flourescent
skimmer, power head for movement, Magnum HOT (running 50/50 mix carbon and biobeads)

pH 8.0
Temp 82
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates: 0,0,0
dKH 7
ca 300 (before I started Ca additions, will check tomorrow)
Phosphates 0.2

Tank mates:

1 6-line wrasse
3 firefish
1 bi-colour blenny
3 camel shrimp
1 anemone crab (with bulbtip anemone)
6 algae snails
5 red leg hermits (hitchhikers on live rock)
1 blue leg hermit (ditto)
a few soft corals (leather, mushroom)

tank has been set up since june 1.

SushiGirl · 07/17/2002, 12:35 AM

Try the clam forum... http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...?s=&forumid=41

AttackDonut · 07/17/2002, 04:09 AM

Didn't know there was one...can we move this thread there?

AttackDonut · 07/17/2002, 07:35 AM

2 pics of said clam...

AttackDonut · 07/17/2002, 07:38 AM

Pretty

chewie · 07/17/2002, 07:52 AM

Nice lookin squamosa

DgenR8 · 07/17/2002, 08:25 AM

Attack,
I'd be happy to move this thread for 'ya,
I think you're gonna need more light, but let's let the experts on clam care make that call.

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

AttackDonut · 07/17/2002, 10:14 AM

and not a maxima? How do you tell the difference?

And in reply to the lighting question...do I need to go to metal halide, or just more wattage in power compacts?

Squidman · 07/17/2002, 10:48 AM

Honestly, I would see if you can find someone to take care of the clam for you while you make changes to accomodate him IF you decide you want to keep clams. I am not one who believes that all clams require MH but if you don't have MH you need a boatload of flourescent (PC or VHO) lighting. I have a 38G with 380W of VHO lighting for small clams that I feed directly. I am setting up a 72G w/ MH's for the clams when they get bigger and for new clams.

You have several small problems that the clam won't like besides lighting. None of them are catastrophic in my opinion but the cummulative affect probably would be. As you already know, your Ca and Alk are too low. I try for Ca 400-450 and Alk 9-12. PH should be 8-8.2 so you are good there as long as it's stable. The other things that would make me nervous are the camel shrimp, which have a habit of snacking on fleshy corals or clams, and the hermits which are just hit or miss and not worth the risk in my opinion.

Like I said, I would try to find someone to take care of the clam until you get your chemistry issues resolved. I'm not sure the clam wants to go through the raising of Ca and Alk with you. I think those two parameters along with the lighting and camel shrimp are the biggest hurdles you have. I think clams are worth the accomodations they require. I love 'em. My new tank will have only clam maintenence fish, a few nice corals and a bunch of clams. Good luck with the clam. I hope you are both successful. (you and the clam)

BTW: These are just my opinions, I have done a LOT of research but my actual experience is limited. It will stay limited regarding crabs and camel shrimp because I won't ever keep them with my clams! Again, Good luck!

AttackDonut · 07/17/2002, 02:15 PM

Please keep it coming.

07/16/2002, 08:52 PM	#1
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	Out of the frying pan, into the fire...help! (Giant Clam related) Good news: I started calcium additions and my green and red algae went away Bad news: A well meaning client gave me a giant clam for my tank. About 4 inches long, medium brown with gold spots and a green rim around the lips. The shell has little 'scallops' protruding and the mouth openings have little frilly bits, so I **think** it's a Tridacna maxima, but I'm not positive... (1) How do I determine what it is? (2) How in bloody blue blazes do I keep it happy? Tank specs: 29 bow front reef 2x55 watt power compacts (10k 50/50) 1x15 watt actinic normal output flourescent skimmer, power head for movement, Magnum HOT (running 50/50 mix carbon and biobeads) pH 8.0 Temp 82 Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates: 0,0,0 dKH 7 ca 300 (before I started Ca additions, will check tomorrow) Phosphates 0.2 Tank mates: 1 6-line wrasse 3 firefish 1 bi-colour blenny 3 camel shrimp 1 anemone crab (with bulbtip anemone) 6 algae snails 5 red leg hermits (hitchhikers on live rock) 1 blue leg hermit (ditto) a few soft corals (leather, mushroom) tank has been set up since june 1.

07/17/2002, 12:35 AM	#2
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Try the clam forum... http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...?s=&forumid=41 __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

07/17/2002, 04:09 AM	#3
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	Ooops Didn't know there was one...can we move this thread there?

07/17/2002, 07:35 AM	#4
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	While I'm at it 2 pics of said clam...

07/17/2002, 07:38 AM	#5
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	Second pic- Pretty

07/17/2002, 07:52 AM	#6
chewie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland OR Posts: 1,170	Nice lookin squamosa

07/17/2002, 08:25 AM	#7
DgenR8 I'm an American and I remember Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 43,992	Attack, I'd be happy to move this thread for 'ya, I think you're gonna need more light, but let's let the experts on clam care make that call. This thread has been moved to the current forum. __________________ “I wish there was a way to know that you were IN the good old days, before leaving them.” ~Andy Bernard Regional Manager, Scranton branch Dunder Mifflin Current Tank Info: Unknown slow drip, over 20 years damaged my house and heating system. No more tank.

07/17/2002, 10:14 AM	#8
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	So it's a squamosa? and not a maxima? How do you tell the difference? And in reply to the lighting question...do I need to go to metal halide, or just more wattage in power compacts? __________________ Let's rattle the cage, crack the machine. Let 'em know who you are, shine to be seen. Current Tank Info: 5 Gallon Hex.

07/17/2002, 10:48 AM	#9
Squidman Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 959	Honestly, I would see if you can find someone to take care of the clam for you while you make changes to accomodate him IF you decide you want to keep clams. I am not one who believes that all clams require MH but if you don't have MH you need a boatload of flourescent (PC or VHO) lighting. I have a 38G with 380W of VHO lighting for small clams that I feed directly. I am setting up a 72G w/ MH's for the clams when they get bigger and for new clams. You have several small problems that the clam won't like besides lighting. None of them are catastrophic in my opinion but the cummulative affect probably would be. As you already know, your Ca and Alk are too low. I try for Ca 400-450 and Alk 9-12. PH should be 8-8.2 so you are good there as long as it's stable. The other things that would make me nervous are the camel shrimp, which have a habit of snacking on fleshy corals or clams, and the hermits which are just hit or miss and not worth the risk in my opinion. Like I said, I would try to find someone to take care of the clam until you get your chemistry issues resolved. I'm not sure the clam wants to go through the raising of Ca and Alk with you. I think those two parameters along with the lighting and camel shrimp are the biggest hurdles you have. I think clams are worth the accomodations they require. I love 'em. My new tank will have only clam maintenence fish, a few nice corals and a bunch of clams. Good luck with the clam. I hope you are both successful. (you and the clam) BTW: These are just my opinions, I have done a LOT of research but my actual experience is limited. It will stay limited regarding crabs and camel shrimp because I won't ever keep them with my clams! Again, Good luck!

07/17/2002, 02:15 PM	#10
AttackDonut Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,536	Thank you for the advice- Please keep it coming. __________________ Let's rattle the cage, crack the machine. Let 'em know who you are, shine to be seen. Current Tank Info: 5 Gallon Hex.