does clam contribute to Bio-load?

[dz6t]

I am wondering if a clam contribute to bio-load or not. I think since it consumes nitrate, it should be part of the filter system. Any opinions?

 

[MikeG]

I agree, clams help filter and polish the water and shouldn't add to the bioload. I think you would only have a problem if your clams are spawning in your tank which would definately add to the bioload. Curious what others have to say.

 

[Liquid]

I agree with your guys line of thinking.

 

[Tstone]

They will contribute to the bio-load as they do produce waste but they also consume some waste so they are less of a burden on bioload then say your average tang.

 

[marco67]

Great thread, It will be interesting to see some feedback.
I like the line of thinking that from a nitrate perspective they would have a net pos effect. But they still create waste and isn't there more to bio load than bio filteration? Like Ca demand? Mecanical filteration?

 

[Tstone]

I think they consume more then just nitrates. They would, i think consume any number of dissolved organics. But they would produce some waste product.

 

[marco67]

Aaaaa yes disolved organics, planktons and who knows what else in the water column. Sooooo If they are eating something they have an effect on everything else Soooooo Yes Bio Load.

 

[Tstone]

Aaaaa yes disolved organics, planktons and who knows what else in the water column. Sooooo If they are eating something they have an effect on everything else Soooooo Yes Bio Load.

Soooo yes as in addition to the load or yes as in reduction of load??

Ah the quandary

 

[JohnK]

I would think of it like this,

A. Clam takes up nitrate, taking away from bio load, overall a sort of net gain.

or

B. Is it bio-mass that will pollute my tank if it suddenly dies?

Two different angles on the subject, they both have a good point.

Personally I would consider a Clam to add to the bio load as it's living mass if nothing else. It's also going to have a balancing effect on the system overall possbily allowing more bio load in a given system.

 

[Jocko]

B. Is it bio-mass that will pollute my tank if it suddenly dies?

Kinda hard to find any sort of livestock that doesn't fall into that category!

 

[deadhermitwalkin]

Might help

http://web.archive.org/web/20030727232123/www.omnicom.com.au/aquasearch/biofilt.htm

 

[dz6t]

I did some research, both Steve Tyree and Anthony Calfo have written in their book using giant clam as filter. It looks like giant clam not only can filter nitrate, but also ammonia and other organic waste. Flame scallops also been used as filter in their books as well as sea sponge.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

My old 60g hex had a green tint to the water
I added a squamy & the water cleaned up

You also need to make sure you have proper lighting
It does effect the system, especially if there are other filter feeders