undoing a clam

[Alexander]

I am definately getting a clam in my 80g. just need my lights!

[jhnrb]

You need to be very careful. once the clam anchors, you will need to either chip away a small piece of the rock, or, you will need to cut the bysal threads, by making the cut as far from the bysal gland/foot as possible. if you damage the gland you may verywell loose the clam. so if you can gently rock the clam and see the thread attachment, make the cut at the attachment one thread at a time as the threads are cut the clam can be rocked a bit more and more until all the threads are cut. if not you can use a scalple or hobby knife and scrape the rock carefully under the clam. just remember if the clam is attached the location should be sufficient, now if you do get the clam unattached then place a small piece of flat hard something under the clam to attach to so you can move it should you decide to. its very difficult to explain exactly how to do it, just be careful and only cut the thread attachments not the foot itself. hope this helps. messing with a clam this way may have adverse reactions from the clam and you may loose it even if your detachment is successful so good luck and be gentle.