clams for filtration.

[alecj]

are clams good to have in the sump with a light to help filter water?

 

[Saltyreef]

are clams good to have in the sump with a light to help filter water?

Yes.

Oysters too. I would do some research first to see what type is the best. Theres some threads on here outlining what ones work the best in a reef tank longterm.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Yes they can filter water but if you're talking about clams such as Crocea or Maxima clams, they require good water parameters and require strong light

 

[minus9]

You don't buy clams (Tridacna) to filter the water. They do consume particulates/food for nitrogen, which is only part of their intake. Light is their main source of energy.

 

[MartinM]

They will definitely strip the nitrates/phosphates - I have a heavily stocked system with no skimmer and I have trouble keeping my nutrients up because I also have 10 clams in it!

 

[Shon]

In highschool I was in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) in New Smyrna Beach. We raised clams from small finger nails size (not even little neck) to little neck and cherrystones size in hydroponic trays. They were raised and sold to help fund the class while being educational. We were always pulling out crabs, starfish and cucumbers. The water pumped in from the intercoastal was muddy brown. The water that flowed out was clear but tea brown (tannins). Clams do a heck of a job cleaning water.

Little necks, cherrystones and chowder clams are all the same, just different size. They're all Quahogs. They're native east coast North America from Canada to Florida.

They do not need light, but lots of food.

Maybe try a few little neck clams in the sump and shuck/feed your fish with them once in a while and replace with new ones so you don't risk them dying and fouling the water.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

In highschool I was in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) in New Smyrna Beach. We raised clams from small finger nails size (not even little neck) to little neck and cherrystones size in hydroponic trays. They were raised and sold to help fund the class while being educational. We were always pulling out crabs, starfish and cucumbers. The water pumped in from the intercoastal was muddy brown. The water that flowed out was clear but tea brown (tannins). Clams do a heck of a job cleaning water.

Little necks, cherrystones and chowder clams are all the same, just different size. They're all Quahogs. They're native east coast North America from Canada to Florida.

They do not need light, but lots of food.

Maybe try a few little neck clams in the sump and shuck/feed your fish with them once in a while and replace with new ones so you don't risk them dying and fouling the water.

I think OP was referring to Tridacna clams which definitely do need strong light

 

[Asagi]

In highschool I was in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) in New Smyrna Beach. We raised clams from small finger nails size (not even little neck) to little neck and cherrystones size in hydroponic trays. They were raised and sold to help fund the class while being educational. We were always pulling out crabs, starfish and cucumbers. The water pumped in from the intercoastal was muddy brown. The water that flowed out was clear but tea brown (tannins). Clams do a heck of a job cleaning water.

Little necks, cherrystones and chowder clams are all the same, just different size. They're all Quahogs. They're native east coast North America from Canada to Florida.

They do not need light, but lots of food.

Maybe try a few little neck clams in the sump and shuck/feed your fish with them once in a while and replace with new ones so you don't risk them dying and fouling the water.

This sounds really fun. Clearly my high school sucked.

 

[Shon]

This sounds really fun. Clearly my high school sucked.

It was fun. Inland there was your typical farm. On school grounds we had the clam farm. NSB probably sucks now too. Years after I graduated they sold the school and moved inland. I hope they still have the FFA and farm..

The old location is now a marine discovery center.

 

[IKD]

Definitely a discussion that’s been brought up a few times on this thread.

@Dr. Dendrostein was an R2R expert but haven’t seen him post in some time.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-helpful-would-you-say-clams-are-with-filtration.777605/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/clams-replacing-refugium-as-a-nutrient-export.776840/

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Super interesting. I used to go clamming in Delaware growing up. I think it’s what sparked my interest in the reefing hobby.. the longer I’m in the hobby I’m finding natural ways seem to be the best ways. Some of these new products are just too much sometimes.

 

[PaulieReef]

They will definitely strip the nitrates/phosphates - I have a heavily stocked system with no skimmer and I have trouble keeping my nutrients up because I also have 10 clams in it!

This is my goal in life.. 10 clams, currently on number 3 :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing: