Can I get a clam?

[Hyprviperx]

someone with more knowledge than me please correct me if i am wrong.... i had read that for most shallow water/ tidal creatures to thrive they need higher intensity full spectrum light due to the fact that in the shallows they're not deep enough to filter out any of the other spectrum's so blue lighting is usually not the best lighting. i had read for shallow water usually around 10k -14k was the best. i think i read that in the trigger fish CORAL mag from '09. i know the actinics are the perfect wavelength for photosynthesis being that they are at the peak of photosynthetic energy production. i have a 45 gal bow front w/ 4 39w T5s 2 actinic and 2 10k @156 watts. i dont know the par values. if it is possible for him (homeslizzice) would it be possible for me, id love a clam as well but shied away thinking i didn't have enough light and i didn't want to get one just to slowly kill it. someone please set me on the right path. thanks for the time to read my post.

 

[skinz78]

someone with more knowledge than me please correct me if i am wrong.... i had read that for most shallow water/ tidal creatures to thrive they need higher intensity full spectrum light due to the fact that in the shallows they're not deep enough to filter out any of the other spectrum's so blue lighting is usually not the best lighting. i had read for shallow water usually around 10k -14k was the best. i think i read that in the trigger fish CORAL mag from '09. i know the actinics are the perfect wavelength for photosynthesis being that they are at the peak of photosynthetic energy production. i have a 45 gal bow front w/ 4 39w T5s 2 actinic and 2 10k @156 watts. i dont know the par values. if it is possible for him (homeslizzice) would it be possible for me, id love a clam as well but shied away thinking i didn't have enough light and i didn't want to get one just to slowly kill it. someone please set me on the right path. thanks for the time to read my post.

You are correct. But I think if your lights have individual reflectors you should be fine with a clam as well.

 

[drainbamage]

someone with more knowledge than me please correct me if i am wrong.... i had read that for most shallow water/ tidal creatures to thrive they need higher intensity full spectrum light due to the fact that in the shallows they're not deep enough to filter out any of the other spectrum's so blue lighting is usually not the best lighting. i had read for shallow water usually around 10k -14k was the best. i think i read that in the trigger fish CORAL mag from '09. i know the actinics are the perfect wavelength for photosynthesis being that they are at the peak of photosynthetic energy production. i have a 45 gal bow front w/ 4 39w T5s 2 actinic and 2 10k @156 watts. i dont know the par values. if it is possible for him (homeslizzice) would it be possible for me, id love a clam as well but shied away thinking i didn't have enough light and i didn't want to get one just to slowly kill it. someone please set me on the right path. thanks for the time to read my post.

I don't know the right answer, but I would actually disagree based upon what I've seen. Many of the "super nice cherry jawbreaker stunner" corals that come up in the hobby are ones that have had different lighting spectrums put on them once in captivity. The change in spectrums brings about the change in colors-does that mean that they really should be in their natural reddish/yellow light spectrum? many SPS's are known to grow much faster in those spectrums (10k and bellow) and yet they show their "best" colors under the actinics. I'd say it becomes an issue of what is considered thriving.
Most magazines/books/pictures I've seen of low tide reefs show a ton of brown Acro's, with some splotches inbetween. In my tank at home, I'd much rather have the pinks/blues/greens and so on, so perhaps we're not keeping their "ideal natural" conditions, but perhaps also this isn't a bad thing.

What fixture/bulbs are you using? T5's have a very wide range of production qualities, and I'm of the opinion that just knowing the wattage isn't sufficient to know what the light will accomplish.

 

[gar732]

What is the hardiest clam?

 

[skinz78]

What is the hardiest clam?

Hmm that is a tough one, I would have to say that the Derasa is the hardiest but because of it's larger size it isn't the most ideal for smaller tanks.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Ok, my lighting fixture is the 24 inch Current T5 HO fixture, it does have individual reflectors though. The ballast is the one that is built in with the light. So I have 2 24watt T5s with individual reflectors, the bulbs are 1 ATI Aquablue Special and 1 ATI Blue +. I try to do water changes once a week (often it ended being once every 2 weeks since I get busy with school), I can start to dose if supplements becomes an issue. While it's only 2 24watt T5s remember they are ATI bulbs, the fixture is about 3 inches from the waters surface and the rock where the clams would go is 5-6 inches from the surface. What do you all think? As far as what clam species I would get, I would really like a Maxima clam, as they are my favorite. I like Croceas, but I would get a Maxima first (they are my favorite species, and they don't need as much light as Croceas). I can't really get a Derasa clamn because my tank is only a 24 gallon aquapod, a derasa would get way to big.

Skinz78 since you are one of the "R2R clam masters" what is your opinion on everything I just said? About the Crocea, I would only get one if I the Maxima did well.

If anyone else has any questions about my tank, the lights, or whatever feel free to ask me. If you have any words of wisdom that would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[skinz78]

I think you will be just fine adding a Maxima, give it a shot and if it does well then try a Crocea too.

 

[aalvarado87]

i vote get a clam and try it out. i think you will be able to tell pretty quickly correct if you see it diminishing. I am sure you have some reefer friends that could take it off your hands and save the clam. I prefer maximas over any other clams. I like the colors they have what kind of clam are you considering?

 

[HomeSlizzice]

I think you will be just fine adding a Maxima, give it a shot and if it does well then try a Crocea too.

Ok thanks Skniz78, I am gonna get a Maxima.

i vote get a clam and try it out. i think you will be able to tell pretty quickly correct if you see it diminishing. I am sure you have some reefer friends that could take it off your hands and save the clam. I prefer maximas over any other clams. I like the colors they have what kind of clam are you considering?

I want a blue maxima, I recently got laid off so hopefully I can find a good job so I can buy a nice Ultra grade. :)

 

[raymond]

ive seen clams that are very happy in a t5 set up, but lighting is only one part of the clam happieness... make sure your dosing your tank cause they tank alot of of a system

 

[HomeSlizzice]

ive seen clams that are very happy in a t5 set up, but lighting is only one part of the clam happieness... make sure your dosing your tank cause they tank alot of of a system

Ya I have no doubts in T5s (or LEDs for that matter) the main issue was the fact that I only have 2 T5s total, for all my lighting haha. I will monitor Calcium, and if it is needed I will dose.