Clams without Substrate?

NaH2O · 01-30-2004, 08:05 PM

It seems more and more people are switching to bare bottom tanks. I was curious to what you do with clams when there is a lack of substrate? I imagine you give them something to attach to if they aren't up in the rock work. Inform me O-Masters-of Clams....

TDEVIL · 01-30-2004, 08:14 PM

well, far from being an expert, only have 1

some are boreing clams, so they need the rock, i have mine up in the LR and not on the bottom

this is a good Q Nikki, thanks for asking, will watch this one

TD

NaH2O · 01-30-2004, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the reply TD! I believe T. crocea bores into the rock work. Someone correct me if this is wrong.

salemreefer · 01-30-2004, 08:27 PM

in the lfs store where i work we used to put clams on display in a bare bottom tank and found that the clams would all attach thier foot to the glass so hard that we couldnt sell them. but the problem with putting them on sand was it gave the large bristleworms a chance at their underside and foot without detection. now we encourage them to attach to a small rock which has a nice flat shape to it perhaps...

Pro_builder · 01-30-2004, 08:48 PM

I have both of my Maximas on the rock.

Curtswearing · 01-30-2004, 08:53 PM

Great question. I find myself watching for clam posts as I would love one. I'm still reading up before I make the leap.

Maxx · 01-30-2004, 08:53 PM

Quote:

I believe T. crocea bores into the rock work.

This is correct.
Salemreefer has the best suggestion for clams not in rock work in a barebottom tank. Heres the fun part though, Maxima's and Crocea's are rock dwelling clams....Derasa's and Gigas' are not, they prefer a substrate to bury their foot in, but they will attach to a shell. So you can opt for a rock or a piece of shell to set the clam on, (and hope it stays....my Maxima's are moving all over the place) or you can make a lil sand box for your clams in your barebottom tank. I still dont know what I'll be doing in my 58....
Good question Nikki!
Nick

Craig Manoukian · 01-30-2004, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by salemreefer
the problem with putting them on sand was it gave the large bristleworms a chance at their underside and foot without detection.

This is exactly what caused the demise on my clam, it was a pretty small gold Maxima less than 2", and a not so large bristle worm killed it. The rest of the fish gorged themselves when it met it's demise!

Should have put it on a rock, but didn't do my home work!

Barry N. · 01-31-2004, 12:00 AM

Quote:

https://www.clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=508

Nick, Great advise!

This a great way to protect the byssal as well. T. Crocea having the largest of the Tridacnid.

fidojoe · 01-31-2004, 01:13 AM

At the lfs, they have a HUGE clam, unsure of species, but it is at least 18" across. Its in a barebottom display tank that they don't sell anything out of, but I think its attached right to the bottom of the tank.

NaH2O · 01-31-2004, 07:01 AM

Thanks everyone. What would you do if a clam attached to the bottom, or moved itself over to the side and started to attach to the glass?

wooddood · 01-31-2004, 07:13 AM

clams will atatch to a barebottom tank just as easilly as they would a rock in a dsb probally better in a bb tank.clams will move though so you really have no control over that.when they find a place their happy with they will let you know.

jks1 · 01-31-2004, 07:34 AM

I was thinking of placing the clam on a small flat rock and burrying it slightly under the sand. I was toying with the idea of a small acrylic box under the rock to keep worms out, but they prob would just climb over the sides.

mps9506 · 01-31-2004, 10:23 AM

I use oyster shells which are pretty flat to place the clams on. They attaach to it and it gives the smaller clams some stability on a BB tank and still lets you move them around easily.
Oyster shells are pretty abundant around here so this works for me.

Maxx · 01-31-2004, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NaH2O
Thanks everyone. What would you do if a clam attached to the bottom, or moved itself over to the side and started to attach to the glass?

Nikki, Its my understanding, (Meaning I havent done this yet, and I'm hoping I dont have to.) that you can cut the byssal threads that connect the clam to what its bound to. The trick is to cut the byssal threads as far away from the clam as possible. If you damage the Byssus or byssal gland, the clam dies. So generally, its something I would probably avoid if possible. But I believe it can be done. Barry would probably know.
Nick

01-30-2004, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Clams without Substrate? It seems more and more people are switching to bare bottom tanks. I was curious to what you do with clams when there is a lack of substrate? I imagine you give them something to attach to if they aren't up in the rock work. Inform me O-Masters-of Clams.... __________________ ~Nikki~

01-30-2004, 08:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
TDEVIL Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marion, INDIANA Posts: 1,170 View Gallery Karma Komment	well, far from being an expert, only have 1 some are boreing clams, so they need the rock, i have mine up in the LR and not on the bottom this is a good Q Nikki, thanks for asking, will watch this one TD __________________ my web site <-- needs updated

01-30-2004, 08:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the reply TD! I believe T. crocea bores into the rock work. Someone correct me if this is wrong. __________________ ~Nikki~

01-30-2004, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have both of my Maximas on the rock. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-30-2004, 08:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great question. I find myself watching for clam posts as I would love one. I'm still reading up before I make the leap. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

01-30-2004, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
salemreefer Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: salem Oregon Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	in the lfs store where i work we used to put clams on display in a bare bottom tank and found that the clams would all attach thier foot to the glass so hard that we couldnt sell them. but the problem with putting them on sand was it gave the large bristleworms a chance at their underside and foot without detection. now we encourage them to attach to a small rock which has a nice flat shape to it perhaps...

01-31-2004, 01:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	At the lfs, they have a HUGE clam, unsure of species, but it is at least 18" across. Its in a barebottom display tank that they don't sell anything out of, but I think its attached right to the bottom of the tank. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

01-31-2004, 07:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks everyone. What would you do if a clam attached to the bottom, or moved itself over to the side and started to attach to the glass? __________________ ~Nikki~

01-31-2004, 07:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	clams will atatch to a barebottom tank just as easilly as they would a rock in a dsb probally better in a bb tank.clams will move though so you really have no control over that.when they find a place their happy with they will let you know. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

01-31-2004, 07:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	I was thinking of placing the clam on a small flat rock and burrying it slightly under the sand. I was toying with the idea of a small acrylic box under the rock to keep worms out, but they prob would just climb over the sides. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

01-31-2004, 10:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,143 View Gallery Karma Komment	I use oyster shells which are pretty flat to place the clams on. They attaach to it and it gives the smaller clams some stability on a BB tank and still lets you move them around easily. Oyster shells are pretty abundant around here so this works for me.

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