Lighting for a crocea clam

[kevvin27]

I've got a 28 g tank with a 24" double t5 ho. I want to get a blue crocea clam and I've got a spot right near the top of the tank for it but I'm not sure about the lighting. I've heard from a few different people at different fish stores and I've gotten mixed answers. some say my lighting would be fine, some say it might work but might not and others say not a chance. I wanna hear what everyone else has to say.

 

[Smitty]

Nope...not nearly enough. Clams need just as much lighting as corals. You only have 1.7 watts per gal.

 

[Bifferwine]

Not enough for clams :( Clams need MORE light than most corals.

 

[yote]

Nope.You need more light.At least double what you got now.

 

[dcantucson]

Sorry Kevvin27, I agree. They need and respond to more light.

 

[littleyea1]

I think it depends on how new your bulbs are and how close you put it to the surface, imo

 

[Melosu58]

Got Tridacna art

 

[U4BOYZ]

Anyone had any experience with clams and LED lights? I have LED lights, and I'm interested in purchasing a clam. Thanks.

 

[Reef Keeper]

Clams need to be on the sand bed because they can tend to move around a bit and they may fall from your rocks if mounted up high, If you want a clam that can do better in lower light try Deresa. This in my Deresa, I've tried maximas, but they're very sensitive and when they die they pollute the tank. My Deresa is pretty big now, you can see the white line at the edge and I can watch it get bigger by the week. This one cost me $28 at the lfs. The Tiger Desera is cool and is about $35 on the net + shipping. Here is a good link-page down to Desera. This is a good site for reference stuff too. Tridacna Clams Saltwater Aquarium - Aquatic Connection

They can handle moderate light, but can get large fast if you're dosing two part CA and ALK.

 

[U4BOYZ]

Wow...love it! Thanks for the info...

 

[ccCapt]

Clams need to be on the sand bed because they can tend to move around a bit and they may fall from your rocks if mounted up high,

Not really true, especially for the rock boring maxima and crocea clams.
From the article Mike linked to above.....

Where Do I Put My Clam?


Tridacna crocea

• Middle to high up in your rockwork depending on color intensity of mantle
• Stable footing
• Moderate to higher flow
• Live Rock if possible
• Away from any potentially shading corals
• T-5s, Metal Halide
• 10k bulbs fine
• Relatively easy to keep though needs more light than bottom dwellers
• Look for clams greater than 2 inches
• Loves live plankton if possible

Tridacna maxima

• Middle to high up in your rockwork depending on color intensity of mantle
• Stable footing
• Moderate to higher flow
• T-5s, Metal Halide
• 10k bulbs fine
• Live Rock if possible
• Away from any potentially shading corals
• Relatively difficult to keep, hardest to keep of all the clams, imo
• Look for clams greater than 2 inches
• Loves live plankton if possible

Tridacna derasa

• Place on small piece of rock for ease of movement if needed
• Do not place directly in sand- clam will blow away sand and attach to glass on bottom
• Moderate flow
• Power compacts, T-5s, Metal Halide
• 10k bulbs fine
• Relatively easy to keep, actually harder to kill
• Look for clams greater than 2 inches
• Loves live plankton if possible
• Leave room around the corals for lots of growth!!

Tridacna squamosa

• Place on small piece of rock for ease of movement if needed
• Do not place directly in sand- clam will blow away sand and attach to glass on bottom
• Moderate flow
• Relatively easy to keep
• Power compacts, T-5s, Metal Halide
• 10k bulbs fine
• Look for clams greater than 2 inches
• Loves live plankton if possible
• Leave room around the clam for lots of growth!!

Tridacna gigas

• Place on small piece of rock for ease of movement if needed
• Do not place directly in sand- clam will blow away sand and attach to glass on bottom
• Moderate flow
• Power compacts, T-5s, Metal Halide
• 10k bulbs fine
• Relatively easy to keep
• Look for clams greater than 2 inches
• Loves live plankton if possible
• Leave LOTS of room around the clam for lots of growth!!

Here's my maxima high up in my rocks.

 

[littleyea1]

most clams are not ment for the sand, they want to be in rock formations from when they are babies and actually grow into the rock, most do not like to move thats why when they are babies you can see the spines ment to catch themselves in the rocks

 

[littleyea1]

woops +1 capt sorry lol

 

[U4BOYZ]

I just ordered one....
:)

 

[Reef Keeper]

Wow...love it! Thanks for the info...

:mrgreen:

Good Luck.

 

[kevvin27]

Thanks for the awesome responses everyone. The information really helps.