Done trying clams

[DSC reef]

Drip acclimating 4 hours is a bit excessive. Usually we drip no more than a hour if that depending on the difference in water. A soft toothbrush to clean the clam and good to go. There's no vendor that's guaranteed to have a healthy clam. I've had great success with divers den and the 14 day guarantee is really nice. There's good vendors on here too.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Drip acclimated for about 4 hours.

I live in Riverdale, Utah and our selection is far and few between when it comes to LFS. Usually they don’t carry clams and if they do they are usually large and outrageously priced.

If online ordering is only option to your location then I would say looking for other online website and stop buying from DD for now, here is a link to a online order that local to me (I can order from them then will call pick it up and pay none shipping charge)
https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/
You should give them a call :)

 

[Tahoe61]

Try a different vendor. Make sure the Blenny is not nipping.

Do you run any Charcoal?

Look for clams over 2 inches, a Derasa would be good choice if you really want a clam. The size of the tank will have to be addressed eventually. Medium or larger clams are Calcium sponges so be aware. Make sure the SG is accurate since you're already at the high end.

Research Pinch Mantle Disease to make sure that is not what you're seeing in the way of symptoms.

 

[chuckfu5]

Try a different vendor. Make sure the Blenny is not nipping.

Do you run any Charcoal?

Look for clams over 2 inches, a Derasa would be good choice if you really want a clam. The size of the tank will have to be addressed eventually. Medium or larger clams are Calcium sponges so be aware. Make sure the SG is accurate since you're already at the high end.

Research Pinch Mantle Disease to make sure that is not what you're seeing in the way of symptoms.

I always run charcoal in my system and change it out with fresh every 30 days.

I never seen the blenny nipping but will have to watch if I try again.

 

[reefwiser]

These small clams do very poorly. I don't buy Maxima's under 8" inches an keep them under MH. In this small of tank I wouldn't keep a Clam.

 

[Tyler Caviness]

I went back and watched the BRS video again, and now I’m back with more PAR readings just to complete what I already posted before
Here’s a 360 at 100% at 6 inches deep

Here’s the measurements at 50% and 6 inches deep- this is the picture that makes me think a clam would be okay (lighting wise) in this tank. I won’t speak to any of the other factors. But clearly, if it is moved up in the water column and placed correctly, it can be getting proper PAR - probably even without being cranked up to 100%

Here’s 18 inches deep and 100%

Here’s 18 inches deep at 50%

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

If you own A360WE then +15% more power into above results.

 

[Dizzirn]

If online ordering is only option to your location then I would say looking for other online website and stop buying from DD for now, here is a link to a online order that local to me (I can order from them then will call pick it up and pay none shipping charge)
https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/
You should give them a call :)

I just totally enjoyed there web site! Nice looking stuff [emoji847][emoji847][emoji847]

 

[Reefer addickt]

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.

I use 2 kessil a360 over my jbj 45 tank is almost a year old and I added a blue maxima about month and a half ago, it’s doing great, it’s also on the sand bed, kessil Can def grow the clams, have you checked flow? they don’t like a lot.

 

[jd371]

I've had this for a year now under Kessil 160's. It's a standard 75g and the Maxima sits on the sb. The Kessils run at 35% or 40% (can't remember) color and are at 70% inensity, there is a 2 bulb T5 that is on for 5 hours when the Kessils are at peak.

FTS, the Kessils are around 8" from the water surface.

 

[PabloEscobar17]

I'm running black box Chinese lights in my 210 gallon tank for my clam. Also have some pretty decent

powerheads movement...since they are filter eaters. My parameters are PH 8.16, CA 430, MG 1350, KH 8.5, Nitrate 4ppm, phosphate .02 and salinity 1.025. He is happy as a clam! No pun attend ;). I have great luck from a vendor I met at reef a palooza, DC coral is their name. I can give you his number if you will like to try one of their clams.

 

[chuckfu5]

I'm running black box Chinese lights in my 210 gallon tank for my clam. Also have some pretty decent

powerheads movement...since they are filter eaters. My parameters are PH 8.16, CA 430, MG 1350, KH 8.5, Nitrate 4ppm, phosphate .02 and salinity 1.025. He is happy as a clam! No pun attend ;). I have great luck from a vendor I met at reef a palooza, DC coral is their name. I can give you his number if you will like to try one of their clams.

Can I get that vendors number?

 

[PabloEscobar17]

Can I get that vendors number?

Sure , its 562-394-8591 I do not know his name but his company name is DC Coral. I got my clam for 40$.

 

[madweazl]

At 40%, you're getting about 65 PAR directly under the light based on my measurements.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I'm running black box Chinese lights in my 210 gallon tank for my clam. Also have some pretty decent

powerheads movement...since they are filter eaters. My parameters are PH 8.16, CA 430, MG 1350, KH 8.5, Nitrate 4ppm, phosphate .02 and salinity 1.025. He is happy as a clam! No pun attend ;). I have great luck from a vendor I met at reef a palooza, DC coral is their name. I can give you his number if you will like to try one of their clams.

Your Derasa look similar to my derasa LOL

Not fully open since my light ramping down to close to minimum intensity 10%
I just noticed my Derasa has a lot of tear drop spots on it mantle :) look like it will be awesome looking later on and it does put some new growth on it, you can see new scute under the mantle.

 

[IronChefItaly]

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.

I really love tridacnids and I am the proud owner of a 2" maxima, 4.5" derasa and a 5" crocea. 6 months new to the hobby, I was browsing through my local fish store and lo and behold they had about a dozen tiny maximas. They were absolutely stunning, almost alien-like to me at the time and I couldn't leave without one. I spoke to the store owner for about 20 minutes, read a bit on my phone, and an hour later I left with what was by far my biggest single purchase to date ($190 CAD). About 2 months later it suddenly died and I was devastated - I mean, I put a lot of research and tech into keeping this thing happy. Months passed, and I was able to pickup a larger crocea from a shutdown and this thing proved itself to be bullet proof despite their reputation. Gaining a little more confidence, a few months later I acquired a derasa. And after both the crocea and derasa had shown substantial growth I finally stepped up again to buy a small 1.5" ultra maxima and they've all been happily living in my tank for over a year now.

Given my success with clams, by no means am I a clam guru but I will regurgitate some information that I've read and some of my understanding that I believe has helped me - anyone please feel free to correct me where I am wrong.

1) There are an abundance of reason to not generalize clam species and their respective care requirements. The source and maturity of a clam has a tremendous impact on how easy it is to keep. For example, some aqua-cultured specimens have very few species of zooxathallae hosted within their tissue which can make them far less adaptable to the captive environment. For this reason I strongly recommend sourcing your first clam from a fellow hobbyist where you can avoid the stress of shipment and the clam has already proven itself capable of captivity. As a shopper, I've easily seen 2 in 5 clams die within the first three months of arriving at my LFS. I'm not sure if this can be attributed to shipping stress, poor care or simply less adaptable stock.

2) No species of clam has been found in depths providing less than 150 PAR (source - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/3/inverts). That said, I don't believe your clams died of photo starvation within 1 week of arrival unless they were already deprived.

3) Standard 1 hour drip acclimation and an additional 30 minutes for every point of salinity difference. For drip rate, double the volume of water each hour and discard extra as necessary. I've read countless forums where it was concluded that an improper / rushed acclimation caused the death of a ornamental shrimp or snail. Invertebrates are sensitive, clams have a very complex anatomy and I haven't heard an argument yet to suggest otherwise.

4) A healthy clam should be free of parasites, responsive to movement, no gaping, extended mantle and very important - at the very edge of its shell, beneath the mantle, it should have white, pristine new growth. I simply wouldn't by a clam if any of these conditions are not met.

I hope this helps encourage you to try again. Luckily, tridacnids have drawn a lot of attention over the years and there is quite a bit of information on them. I strongly encourage you to read up a bit more and try your luck again with an alternative source.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

@IronChefItaly Nice to hear a success story from a new hobbyist. The issue of the OP that he pretty much can only get a clam from online vendors, he doesn't have a luxury to choose a clam station in front of him like most of us here :) My LFS stock these clams plenty but I was spoiled with the easy luxury condition and they have like 20 Maximas in stock right now but I couldn't find anything that suit my eyes in term of coloration :P

 

[IronChefItaly]

@IronChefItaly Nice to hear a success story from a new hobbyist. The issue of the OP that he pretty much can only get a clam from online vendors, he doesn't have a luxury to choose a clam station in front of him like most of us here :) My LFS stock these clams plenty but I was spoiled with the easy luxury condition and they have like 20 Maximas in stock right now but I couldn't find anything that suit my eyes in term of coloration :p

I understand that but continuing to play against the odds is hardly a solution. I’m from Edmonton, Alberta and talking to other local hobbyists there’s been consecutive years where no clams have been available. Apparently it’s an extremely long and difficult road to have the papers to import them. With limited availability, it is quite common for hobbyists to priority ship livestock from either coast. Definitely not ideal, but I’ve also done weekend road trips to source some of my fish. There are always alternatives.

 

[chuckfu5]

Here is a shot of the tank

From sand bed to light is 14 inches.

I have a hard time believing there is not enough PAR to sustain and provide enough light for a clam to thrive in this tank with this setup.

I understand the space constraints and that’s something I will deal with IF I attempt this again.

I am slowly ramping lighting up every couple weeks.

I’m looking for more opinions on the lighting.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I don't think your clam died cause not enough light in a week, clam died cause of weak light after a month or two but if you getting a unhealthy clam or something bothering it like diseases, pest, parasite, bacterial infection or something nipped at it then it goes down hill very fast.