Just bought clam need help on placement

[Tommy McDonald]

ok I wanted this maxi clam for awhile but wanted to wait till I got new lights but my wife had to have it and was letting me go wild in the store so couldn’t refuse. the guy at the store said I should place it on the rock work about half way up. Now my tank is about 30” deep. Does this seem kinda right or place it in the sand bed? Any help would be great

 

[DSC reef]

How big is the clam, what kind of lights do you have? Also, what lights did the store have the clam under? Any pics of the clam would help too. While maximas need light acclimation is important.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

I have leds on a timer that come on slow. they had the clam in a sun room under natural day light like today it’s cloudy so it wasn’t under any kinda of exta sun light I wave my hand over and they retracted

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello;

Depending on your lights and flow will determine where you place the clam. I would find a flat rock that can be moved. Once the clam sets its foot you can’t move him. With my Maximus clam he is on a flat rock where I can move it up or down if needed. I can also move the orientation of it if he needs more flow. This is very important, because they are essential for their survival.

Also depending on where his mantle is at will tell you if there is too much or not enough light. You will want to light acclimate him as well, depending on some things. What size is the clam as well. The smaller ones are much harder than the larger size ones.

If you can post pics of your clam, tank parameters and lights and schedule that would help so much.

Sincerely
Sarah

 

[DSC reef]

Personally I would let the clam attach to a seperate rock that can be moved around at will. If you place the clam on the rock work then make sure it's not getting blasted with flow, can open fully and has a low risk of falling. The clam will attach byssal threads from its foot to stabalize itself. How big is the clam? Clams do not need a lot of flow for survival and too much can actually harm them.

 

[DSC reef]

@Tommy McDonald if this is your first clam I'd suggest looking up James Fatheree, he has a lot of good reads on all tridacna including maxima. Looking forward to pics, they make a reef tank IMO. Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

I’m working on acclamation now, he’s about 80% closed up I’ll get a pic when the lights turn back on tomorrow while I have him in the bag I can see his foot moving and trying to attach to the bag so guess that’s good sign . I have a flattish rock that has a valley in it gonna try and get him sittting in it to help hold him

 

[DSC reef]

Look for new growth on the upper margin of the shell. That's a sure way to know if the clam is healthy and growing

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What lights do you have and what percentage is the peak?

I may be able to give you an estimate of the par on the sand as a reference point.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

This is from this morning he is open and closing when a fish come close or disrupt the light. It’s hard to see there is a tube like thing coming off the one side I guess his mouth. His foot is still attached to the gravel from where I got him from. Now how long should I wait before moving him? He was sticking straight up but looks like he moved to one side just a little.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

Those are the Little Rock’s he’s still attached to my gut is telling me it needs to be rotated towards me so the actual foot is down

 

[DSC reef]

The clam will most likely let go of the rubble and then attach new threads. I'd leave it be and wouldn't try to position it any way for now.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

Wait about a week or so? He’s open up way more in my tank than the place I got him from

 

[DSC reef]

There is really no set time but once he has a nice hold of the rock you'll be able to move him up gradually. I'd suggest making changes a week at a time and go slow.