Considering purchasing my first clam

[stingythingy45]

I'm thinking a crocea would be nice.
My tank now is over a year old and I think the 2-250 watt halides will be enough lighting.Been doing this for 2 1/2 yrs,so I think I might have enough experience.My question leans more towards calcium needs.I currently
dose 2 part for both calcium and alk needs.
Is it possible to keep up these levels this way without a reactor for a clam?
Or are the calcium needs of clam not that bad?
I currently dose 120 ml. of both calcium and alk supplement nightly.
I think this is due to the very large orange cap I have.

 

[MikeG]

With one crocea you will have no problem. If you had a lot of clams in a small volume and or some of the larger fast growing clams like squamosa then you might see a much quicker depletion. I use to keep a crocea and a large derasa in a 75 and dosed 2 part. Never had any issues until I started stocking heavier with SPS. Then I got to a point where I was dosing about 150ml of each part a day and not keeping up. This was years before I knew about home made 2 parts so it was getting a bit expensive.

 

[afboundguy]

You might have to add a little bit more 2 part but it's def doable. I have a maxima and crocea and I just top off with kalkwasser.

 

[stingythingy45]

You might have to add a little bit more 2 part but it's def doable. I have a maxima and crocea and I just top off with kalkwasser.

Yeah,been thinking about topping off with Kalkwasser,Dave.
I have an ATO set up with a float switch/relay from autotopoff.com.
This supply ro/di to my 70 gallon basement sump.
But I don't think the supply pump (Maxijet 1200) will survive too long in the Kalkwasser barrel.

With one crocea you will have no problem. If you had a lot of clams in a small volume and or some of the larger fast growing clams like squamosa then you might see a much quicker depletion. I use to keep a crocea and a large derasa in a 75 and dosed 2 part. Never had any issues until I started stocking heavier with SPS. Then I got to a point where I was dosing about 150ml of each part a day and not keeping up. This was years before I knew about home made 2 parts so it was getting a bit expensive.

Thanks Mike,

Just been reading up on clam varieties for aquaria,like every responsible reefer should before making a purchase.
Am I going to need a good size rock(clear of anything) to place this on?
What's the procedure for placing them on the sand bed?
Do they generally come from the LFS on a rock?

 

[MikeG]

Yeah,been thinking about topping off with Kalkwasser,Dave.
I have an ATO set up with a float switch/relay from autotopoff.com.
This supply ro/di to my 70 gallon basement sump.
But I don't think the supply pump (Maxijet 1200) will survive too long in the Kalkwasser barrel.





Thanks Mike,

Just been reading up on clam varieties for aquaria,like every responsible reefer should before making a purchase.
Am I going to need a good size rock(clear of anything) to place this on?
What's the procedure for placing them on the sand bed?
Do they generally come from the LFS on a rock?

Most times they don't come on a rock. What I typically do is put them on the sand bed at first with a 6" or so wide flat rock just below the sand. The sand will help keep them upright and they will attach to the rock in a week or two most of the time. Once they attach you can leave them there or move the rock anywhere in your tank.

 

[stingythingy45]

Most times they don't come on a rock. What I typically do is put them on the sand bed at first with a 6" or so wide flat rock just below the sand. The sand will help keep them upright and they will attach to the rock in a week or two most of the time. Once they attach you can leave them there or move the rock anywhere in your tank.

Ok,cool

Well,I'll need to get a rock along with the clam I guess.
Don't have any spare ones at the moment.

 

[FOXYB]

i have mine siiting on an old clam shell i got when i bought the clam i added it about 2-3 weeks ago and have not increased dosing, level are still stable. it is on the sand bed about 20" directly under a 150w

 

[mchartier]

After you posted I started to read more on clams, I have no experience with them and in a few of the books that I have listed bristle worms as a predator that will nip at the mantle until it shrivles and dies. Has anyone experienced this?

Sorry if I hijacked, thought it may help in the process.

 

[mchartier]

sorry double post

 

[JohnK]

After you posted I started to read more on clams, I have no experience with them and in a few of the books that I have listed bristle worms as a predator that will nip at the mantle until it shrivles and dies. Has anyone experienced this?

Sorry if I hijacked, thought it may help in the process.

No, not true. When a clam dies, birstles usually move in and scavenge the remains but they don't normally go after healthy clams.

 

[stingythingy45]

No, not true. When a clam dies, birstles usually move in and scavenge the remains but they don't normally go after healthy clams.

Yes,that's what I've heard also.

Question:

When acclimating a clam,is it similar to snails?
As in drip for at least an hour or more?
Also,is there any dips that are recommended,freshwater..ect..ect..?

 

[JayM]

make sure you don't have any pyramid snails....they will eat away at the foot and kill clams.

i've had no issues with bristle worms and my clams....

 

[stingythingy45]

make sure you don't have any pyramid snails....they will eat away at the foot and kill clams.

i've had no issues with bristle worms and my clams....

Thaks Jay,

I've heard of them and seen a few pictures while surfing here and RC.
I guess they're super tiny and hard to notice.Also read some on pinched mantle disease.I guess there's a lot of things that can be corrected with FW dips.
But,they have to be done right.

 

[MisFit]

Freshwater is a good dip to do, I didnt do it with my first clam, I thought since it was aquacultured it should be alright, however I now have flatworms in my frag rack. They can stay in freshwater a long time, Ive done 30 minute dips with them with no problem. In fact thats whats usually recommended for pinched mantles.

 

[stingythingy45]

Freshwater is a good dip to do, I didnt do it with my first clam, I thought since it was aquacultured it should be alright, however I now have flatworms in my frag rack. They can stay in freshwater a long time, Ive done 30 minute dips with them with no problem. In fact thats whats usually recommended for pinched mantles.

Thanks for the info.
Wow,30 minutes.Gee I get nervous just doing a 10 minute dip with a fish.

 

[stingythingy45]

i have mine siiting on an old clam shell i got when i bought the clam i added it about 2-3 weeks ago and have not increased dosing, level are still stable. it is on the sand bed about 20" directly under a 150w

I have some large old dried out cohog shells from the beach.
Is that what you used?

 

[stingythingy45]

Well,no more considering.I picked up a 3 1/2 inch Crocea from Sea Creatures today.
Now for some new to make me worry.
I acclimated for a little over an hour and set it on the sand bad.
It's starting to open up.

 

[mchartier]

Congrats, hope all goes well.

 

[stingythingy45]

Congrats, hope all goes well.

Thanks,

I'll snap a picture of it next week sometime.Lights are out now,but if opened fully over the last few hours since I acclimated it.This is all new to me.
Tomorrow I have to introduce Mrs. False perc to Mr. false perc in the QT tank.Hope that goes well.