Clams replacing refugium as a nutrient export

[Leko]

Hi,

In a video (can't remember which one) Randy said an employee at BRS swears by the use of clams for nutrient export - keep adding clams until the desired nutrient drop is reached.

Is there an experiment planned to prove/disprove this idea?


Thanks and love the videos

 

[Perthegallon]

following along

 

[esther]

@Dr. Dendrostein I feel like I read somewhere that you were doing this?

 

[Udest]

yeah I think the doc is using oysters for other reason mainly as a constant food source for his dendros , but i can see them pulling organics form the water too I'll be doing similar with my 55 once i have that set up.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

yeah I think the doc is using oysters for other reason mainly as a constant food source for his dendros , but i can see them pulling organics form the water too I'll be doing similar with my 55 once i have that set up.

That's great you're going to try it, clams I would have gone with as assistance to filtration and of course that means exporting organic nutrients. The number one reason I went with Pacific oysters is they filter more water per day than any other mollusk. Trying to fine-tune it since 2017 at this time with oysters I usually go with one oyster for every three gallons of water( for nps system, SPS alot less). Also oysters produce pseudo feces which will feed the corals and when they spawn they will also feed corals. Some reasons why I went with oysters and these are the ones you can eat. But Pacific oysters can withstand water temperatures regularly up to 95° Fahrenheit. When you acclimate them in the first few weeks you will lose some oysters possibly. But just keep an eye on them. for the first few weeks I would put them in a plastic mesh bag like the video shows.

 

[Bulk Reef Supply]

That would be Tyler from our customer service team that really likes having clams in his tank for filtration. We don't have any BRStv Investigates tests scheduled for this topic, but it's on the ideas list. Right now, all of our test tanks are in use, for at least the next few months.

 

[Softhammer]

Haven’t tested but anecdotally speaking I can attest to rapid nutrient consumption. I have almost zero (Ignore the dirty sand, been slacking on my Maintenance) algae growth. I have quite a few decent sized fish and feed an obscene amount. My “refugium” consists of a 15+lb (estimate) 14” Derasa and two Gigas that are each 6”+ and growing like weeds. I know the original post was referring to clams like quahogs, but tridacnids work as well if not better due to sheer size.

 

[esther]

Haven’t tested but anecdotally speaking I can attest to rapid nutrient consumption. I have almost zero (Ignore the dirty sand, been slacking on my Maintenance) algae growth. I have quite a few decent sized fish and feed an obscene amount. My “refugium” consists of a 15+lb (estimate) 14” Derasa and two Gigas that are each 6”+ and growing like weeds.

That’s a refugium??? lol Nicest one I ever did see.

 

[Softhammer]

No! Lol, was calling the clams themselves the “refugium”.

 

[esther]

No! Lol, was calling the clams themselves the “refugium”.

Well, nice tank then. Haha.

 

[Leko]

BRS - Thanks for the responses and glad it's on your "to-do" list.

The Pacific oysters seem like a suitable substitute to the light loving clams and tons less money and fuss , thanks for the info Dr Dendrostein .

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Wait... Are you guys telling me that I should get more clams?! On it. Lol

Also this is probably not scientific at all, but for what it’s worth, my frag tank is skimmerless, I feed all my fish until they can no longer eat, I dose phyto, aminos, reef roids and benepets every night and my no3 and Po4 stay around 5 and .03.

 

[Leko]

I feed all my fish until they can no longer eat, I dose phyto, aminos, reef roids and benepets every night and my no3 and Po4 stay around 5 and .03.


Nice clams!!!


Why not both clams and oysters? The added benefit of the mulm from the oysters ...now I'm more curious than was before I started the post.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I feed all my fish until they can no longer eat, I dose phyto, aminos, reef roids and benepets every night and my no3 and Po4 stay around 5 and .03.


Nice clams!!!


Why not both clams and oysters? The added benefit of the mulm from the oysters ...now I'm more curious than was before I started the post.

Honestly, I just never thought about it. If they don’t carry PMD I wouldn’t mind adding some just for variety.

 

[Softhammer]

I think this thread may cause a run on the giant clam and seafood markets!

 

[currentking]

Haven’t tested but anecdotally speaking I can attest to rapid nutrient consumption. I have almost zero (Ignore the dirty sand, been slacking on my Maintenance) algae growth. I have quite a few decent sized fish and feed an obscene amount. My “refugium” consists of a 15+lb (estimate) 14” Derasa and two Gigas that are each 6”+ and growing like weeds. I know the original post was referring to clams like quahogs, but tridacnids work as well if not better due to sheer size.

Very nice gigas. I wish they were more available. I would like to have one.

 

[radiata]

That's great you're going to try it, clams I would have gone with as assistance to filtration and of course that means exporting organic nutrients. The number one reason I went with Pacific oysters is they filter more water per day than any other mollusk. Trying to fine-tune it since 2017 at this time with oysters I usually go with one oyster for every three gallons of water( for nps system, SPS alot less). Also oysters produce pseudo feces which will feed the corals and when they spawn they will also feed corals. Some reasons why I went with oysters and these are the ones you can eat. But Pacific oysters can withstand water temperatures regularly up to 95° Fahrenheit. When you acclimate them in the first few weeks you will lose some clams possibly. But just keep an eye on them. for the first few weeks I would put them in a plastic mesh bag like the video shows.

Dr. Dendrostein,

You've certainly piqued my curiosity (and pocketbook) with your efforts. That said, where can I get the "Pacific oysters" that you've been using in your filtration experiments?

And, please keep the good work...
Bob

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Dr. Dendrostein,

You've certainly piqued my curiosity (and pocketbook) with your efforts. That said, where can I get the "Pacific oysters" that you've been using in your filtration experiments?

And, please keep the good work...
Bob

Call your local supermarkets, ask and see if they carry. They are the most popular oysters sold. Asian markets also.

 

[radiata]

Call your local supermarkets, ask and see if they carry. They are the most popular oysters sold. Asian markets also.

Will do! Thank you Dr. Dendrostein!

 

[Crashnt24]

That's great you're going to try it, clams I would have gone with as assistance to filtration and of course that means exporting organic nutrients. The number one reason I went with Pacific oysters is they filter more water per day than any other mollusk. Trying to fine-tune it since 2017 at this time with oysters I usually go with one oyster for every three gallons of water( for nps system, SPS alot less). Also oysters produce pseudo feces which will feed the corals and when they spawn they will also feed corals. Some reasons why I went with oysters and these are the ones you can eat. But Pacific oysters can withstand water temperatures regularly up to 95° Fahrenheit. When you acclimate them in the first few weeks you will lose some clams possibly. But just keep an eye on them. for the first few weeks I would put them in a plastic mesh bag like the video shows.

You got me interested as well. One could possibly supplement refugium sump with a few oysters? Do they require anything besides being in water? No light required? The reason I ask, is that I'm thinking on adding a few in my skimmer compartment, after my refugium.