Nitrates and Maximas

[rossco]

Hi team

I have taken the plunge and purchased a blue maxima.
General reading suggests they need excellent water conditions.

I try to maintain low levels of nitrates etc but then note that larger clams actually consume nitrates??? as part of their base diet.

A query - are some nitrates acceptable, and perhaps even an advantage???, for the larger clams?

Hmmmmm....

[reefjitsu]

Very low levels of nitrate shouldn't be a problem. However, I think it would be better to intoduce a clam to a tank with no nitrates and then let the clam keep it that way; than it would be to introduce a clam to a tank with nitrates.

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by reefjitsu

Very low levels of nitrate shouldn't be a problem. However, I think it would be better to intoduce a clam to a tank with no nitrates and then let the clam keep it that way; than it would be to introduce a clam to a tank with nitrates.

Agreed.

They are filter feeders and work effciently at helping maintain water quality. But should be introduced to a tank that is able to maintain that water quality already.

[rossco]

Thanks guys.

S/he's a neat little critter so want it to thrive!

Seems happy so far - was probably 'open' a bit too much for the first few days but after a bit of pumping itself into the substrate its mantle is a little more 'closed' and the inlet hole more also

[Woodstock]

I wish I could have a clam Yours sound pretty. Got pics?

[reefjitsu]

Why can't you have a clam?

[Witfull]

copperband butterflys love clams,,,,and fantasia is a clam fan~

[reefjitsu]

I missed that little detail I guess.

[rossco]

hmmmm...this is usually tempting fate but...
I actually have a CBB (about 5" long)in the tank with my maxima - the have been together about 3 weeks now with no incidents! I gave 'spot' a very stern talking to before putting the maxima in, pointing out it bore no resemblance whatsoever to a feather duster...

Once again, they are all little individuals - some of us are seafood fans, some of us just order a good ol steak.

I'll try to get a photo of maxima- only just got internet down here in NZ through so still grasping how to get the photograph onto the web.. The great thing about the maxima being happy is that it angles itself upwards towards the light but this also means its true blue colour is best seen by the MH not by us outside the tank!

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by reefjitsu

Why can't you have a clam?

I sometimes feed clams on the halfshell to my copperband butterfly. I have never tried adding an ornamental clam; I am just too afraid


Rossco, that's great your CBB doesn't bother the clam! Keep us posted!

[kyrie_eleison]

It's not just Maximas; I have a 55 gallon reef tank that I've become so an-al about my water quality that I have come to the point of changing 20% per week. My nitrates were 0 almost all the time. However, a few weeks back, I had the urge to buy a few derasas. On the day I was going to change the water, I tested it. The first trial I thought I screwed up the tests and hence I ran it again. On the third trial I went back to the manual to check my process. It couldn't be right; So, I decided to let the tank go for a few days. During the middle of the week; I still had 0 readings for nitrates but still I couldn't bear it anymore and broke down and changed the water out of fear of losing corals not to mention my obsessive compulsive disorder of wanting near perfect living conditions for my reef tank.

Next, I went out and bought a different test kit (according to the box; supposed to be more accurate). I saved the old waste water to perform further tests. Sure enough...0 nitrates. Clams are not only beautiful but they are great for water quality.

[SubRosa]

FWIW Maximas should be on the rockwork as opposed to the substrate.There is a snail which attacks clams through the byssal opening.If you look at a Max or Crocea flip them over and notice that there is a substantial opening in th base of the shells where the byssal gland is located.This organ produces threads which are meant to attach the clam securely to the rockwork.If you look at a Derasa,Squamosa,or Gigas you will see that the shell closes tightly to prevent predators from burrowing up through the substrate and entering the shell.These species are at home on the bottom.

[Scooterman]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

I sometimes feed clams on the halfshell to my copperband butterfly. I have never tried adding an ornamental clam; I am just too afraid

Hate to suggest trying a larger clam but maybe the size big enough the CBB would not mess with it? If you could somehow have a QT set-up & see if you can do it on a day while you can watch, worst case you can arrange to take it back if it doesn't work out. I know some LFS won't allow that but I've been lucky my LFS would in some cases.

[MariaTereza]

Hi all! i'm new here
Let me in!

[lcstorc]

Welcome Maria Terezea. Glad you have joined us.

Scooterman, I am in the process of reading a great book on clams. "Giant Clams in the Aquarium and the Sea". When he talks about fish that are compatable with Trinactid clams there are many on the list that will occasionally nip the mantle. This is ok in small amounts but frequently the fish will take many small nips over time which eventually stresses the clam until it dies. So while the behaviour is not immediately deadly, over time it will. He specifically talks about CBB in reference to the "sometimes" fish.
Also a day is not nearly enough time to judge compatability. I have a flameback angel that didn't touch a coral for the first year and a half I had him. Now he took out every lps I had and was just removed to another tank so I can have LPS again. So the animals can change dramatically over time.