Done trying clams

[chuckfu5]

I’ve now killed 6 clams over the course of six months. This is like the holy grail for me but I can’t do this to anymore animals unless I can figure what I am doing wrong.

Tank has been up for 10 months and am growing everything under the sun. Acros, zoas, anemones. My parameters are as follow

Salinity. 1.027
Mag 1320
Cal 420
Alk 8.4 - 8.7
Nitrates 10 - 15
Phos .02

I’ve always tried maximas that last usually a week and then they slowly stop responding to anything and then die.

Someone please help.

 

[Fishfinder]

What lighting are you running? Maximas need a lot of light. Are you having them shipped? Small clams don't handle shipping well.
@DSC reef can probably help

 

[DSC reef]

What type of lighting? The source of your clams can be a problem as with size. I would recommend a 3" deresa clam to try from a reputable supplier. Many factors are at play with clams from pinched mantle to pyramid snails. Any pics of the clams?

 

[chuckfu5]

What type of lighting? The source of your clams can be a problem as with size. I would recommend a 3" deresa clam to try from a reputable supplier. Many factors are at play with clams from pinched mantle to pyramid snails. Any pics of the clams?

I have a kessil 360aw in my 13.5 gallon fluval evo. Ramps from 5% - 40% throughout the day.

I’ve tried small maximas from divers den to a 3.5 inch from divers den. They have all been from DD.

These are from the last two.

I’ve checked for pyramid snails and have never seen evidence of them.

Like I said usually the last a week and then they start not reacting to anything and then they are gone.

I’ll attach some other tank photos.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

The easiest way to check for pyramid snails is to check you other snails in the tank. I find it harder to notice them on the clam but I have found them on my other snails.

 

[chuckfu5]

The easiest way to check for pyramid snails is to check you other snails in the tank. I find it harder to notice them on the clam but I have found them on my other snails.

I’ve never seen any sign of a pyramid snail anywhere in the tank.

 

[Fishfinder]

I don't think that light has the PAR to sustain a maxima on the sandbed

 

[DSC reef]

Honestly, a fluval won't house a clam long term. You'll eventually need to rehome it. Might need more than 40% light from the kessil but I'm not to familiar with that light. Getting a healthy clam is the first battle.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I’ve never seen any sign of a pyramid snail anywhere in the tank.

Do you have snails in the tank? Do you check them? Here is a picture with some on it

View attachment 20171020_182514.jpg

 

[chuckfu5]

I don't think that light has the PAR to sustain a maxima on the sandbed

In a 13.5 gallon tank? The tank is about 15 inches tall.

 

[DSC reef]

In a 13.5 gallon tank? The tank is about 15 inches tall.

@BoomCorals, any idea on the percentage a kessil 360 should be as far as sustaining a clam?

 

[Fishfinder]

On a BRS video they give that light 100 PAR at 12"

I've never owned one. I don't know first hand. Just going off the testing videos

 

[chuckfu5]

Do you have snails in the tank? Do you check them? Here is a picture with some on it

View attachment 20171020_182514.jpg

I’ve never seen those little grains of rice anywhere in my tank.

Clams or snails.

 

[BoomCorals]

@BoomCorals, any idea on the percentage a kessil 360 should be as far as sustaining a clam?

I'd say probably 100%

 

[chuckfu5]

Honestly, a fluval won't house a clam long term. You'll eventually need to rehome it. Might need more than 40% light from the kessil but I'm not to familiar with that light. Getting a healthy clam is the first battle.

I agree with the rehoming. It’s just so frustrating that I can do all this work and can’t keep the ONE thing I want more alive.

 

[Fishfinder]

Try and put one at the very top of the tank on the rock work

 

[Potatohead]

I also agree it's the light. At 40% and 12" or so of water you are only getting about 40-50 par on the sandbed. Tank looks really nice though.

 

[Flippers4pups]

What type of lighting? The source of your clams can be a problem as with size. I would recommend a 3" deresa clam to try from a reputable supplier. Many factors are at play with clams from pinched mantle to pyramid snails. Any pics of the clams?

I agree a deresa might be hardier.

 

[DSC reef]

I agree with the rehoming. It’s just so frustrating that I can do all this work and can’t keep the ONE thing I want more alive.

Try a deresa and turn the intensity up on the light or another maxima a little higher in the tank with increased light intensity.

 

[Fishfinder]

I agree, the deresa would be easiest