'nother clam lighting ques.

rckmtl · 05-02-2005, 04:04 AM

So I am thinking about getting a clam in a few months. Have not had one before so am doing some research first.

Most of what I read makes it sound like the lighting requierments kinda go as follows; dull colored clams-same lighting requ. as most LPS corals, bright colored clams- same lighting requ. as SPS corals. Have I interpretted this correctly?

Also by the time I am ready to decide if I will get a clam or not, I will have 200w of 50/50 PC lighting over a 20L. The clam would go about 6-8in under the lights. I know that PC's don't have the same intensity as MH. Would that amout of light be enough to keep one of the brightly colored clams and have it do well?

Thanks for the help.

Sharkbait · 05-02-2005, 04:22 AM

I have 7 clams (gigas,derasa,4maximus,and crocea) and recommend increasing your lighting if you really want a clam. Size is what matters more then color in my opinion, larger seem to be more photosynthetic and the smaller ones need to be target fed daily to deal with lack of zooanthelle in their mantle.If you do try I suggest a derasa, very hardy and tolerant of lower light levels.They(derasas,gigas,squamosa) like setting on the sandbed, wile max's and croceas are found on rocks usually.There is a great book on Giant Clams by Daniel Knopp.They are so beautiful to watch.

Maxx · 05-02-2005, 04:38 AM

Good POst SharkBait, Karma to you!

Ellen,
You're sorta right about clams....its not the color of the clam that determines the lighting requirements, its the species. Crocea's and Maxima's require more light, they also happen to be more brightly colored usually.

here is a link to more info on clams...

Reef index links to Clam Articles......

rckmtl · 05-02-2005, 04:42 AM

Thanks for the speedy replies guys! looks like I've got some reading to do.

corvettephreek · 05-23-2005, 11:12 PM

reading is what got me into this hobby...

rckmtl · 05-24-2005, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvettephreek

reading is what got me into this hobby...

That's cool that you started that way. A lot of stuff I learned from trial and error before I found good resources. Like, years ago, I would have just got the clam and then tried to keep it alive. So glad there are places like this around.

btw. I have decided not to get a clam for now. I just don't feel I have the right setup for it. I'm kinda leaning towards a theory that if you are going to have filter feeders you should have a lot of them, not just one. That way you can feed the tank liberally and not have to worry about uneaten food destroying your water quality.

Has anyone done setups both ways, one with lots of filter feeders, one with only a couple, and found it easier to properly care for the tank with more?

05-02-2005, 04:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
rckmtl Serpent Star Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aurora, Illinios Posts: 231 View Gallery Karma Komment	'nother clam lighting ques. So I am thinking about getting a clam in a few months. Have not had one before so am doing some research first. Most of what I read makes it sound like the lighting requierments kinda go as follows; dull colored clams-same lighting requ. as most LPS corals, bright colored clams- same lighting requ. as SPS corals. Have I interpretted this correctly? Also by the time I am ready to decide if I will get a clam or not, I will have 200w of 50/50 PC lighting over a 20L. The clam would go about 6-8in under the lights. I know that PC's don't have the same intensity as MH. Would that amout of light be enough to keep one of the brightly colored clams and have it do well? Thanks for the help. __________________ -Ellen- Where did all the water go...

05-02-2005, 04:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sharkbait Scopas Tang Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 426 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have 7 clams (gigas,derasa,4maximus,and crocea) and recommend increasing your lighting if you really want a clam. Size is what matters more then color in my opinion, larger seem to be more photosynthetic and the smaller ones need to be target fed daily to deal with lack of zooanthelle in their mantle.If you do try I suggest a derasa, very hardy and tolerant of lower light levels.They(derasas,gigas,squamosa) like setting on the sandbed, wile max's and croceas are found on rocks usually.There is a great book on Giant Clams by Daniel Knopp.They are so beautiful to watch. __________________ 'Cause I'm as free as a Bird Wrasse...

05-02-2005, 04:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	Good POst SharkBait, Karma to you! Ellen, You're sorta right about clams....its not the color of the clam that determines the lighting requirements, its the species. Crocea's and Maxima's require more light, they also happen to be more brightly colored usually. here is a link to more info on clams... Reef index links to Clam Articles...... __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

05-02-2005, 04:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
rckmtl Serpent Star Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aurora, Illinios Posts: 231 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the speedy replies guys! looks like I've got some reading to do. __________________ -Ellen- Where did all the water go...

05-23-2005, 11:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
corvettephreek Torch coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: northern california Posts: 562 View Gallery Karma Komment	reading is what got me into this hobby... __________________ Will (aka Willy Stylez) Will Foley Rolling Audio Sacramento, CA Mobile audio and security solutions Advanced level MECP installer

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