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It takes a long time but in theory I guess.So you have to ‘put them up for adoption’ at some point if you don’t have a huge tank?
My maxima is roughly 8-9" the derasa is about 3.5".
Wow! That is stunning.I am a fan of using giant clams as center pieces for our reefs, and a peninsula style tank with a showpiece clam would be a sight to see. They make the perfect colorful accent to a large reef. But I have learned that they present a unique challenge when they reach a certain size in proportion to the rest of the aquarium contents like live, rock, corals, and fish. I've found this out the hard way after growing my 30" Gigas for almost 10 years. When a clam or anything for that matter becomes the largest living structure in a reef, it will create its own little reef within a reef, and what makes clams very unique is that they have the ability to directly feed the inhabitants that seek shelter in the contours of the mantle and shell. Everyday at least twice a day the clam belches a smorgasbord of food that the fish love to devour. So with time they will associate the clam with food and eventually they will take a bite. I can't tell how may fish I've gone through over the years that all started off as "clam safe" only to turn the clam into an 100+lb buffet. Then comes the filtration capacities of these monsters when it comes to their consumption of N and Ps. It is very hard to quantify but I can tell you it is significant. When the clam is "ON" it can filter a 500+ gallon system. Finally the calcium and alk demand is incredible. I use 3 cups of BRS CACL and 3 cups of baking soda every week. I think these are just a few things that make owning a large clam uniquely challenging, and why I think many people get rid of large clams once they get to a certain size. When my Gigas dies I don't see myself getting another, even if it was given to me. In my opinion it really limits your options when it comes to fish and corals. Also what do you if a 100+lb clam dies in your tank? Or spawns? Which it does every summer.
I was able to resolve some of my issues by using 3 tanks instead of one large "clam tank". 2- 36"x30"x25 and the clam tank is 60"x30"x31".
Well, according to documentary the clam will out last you in their life time before it out grow your tank (NOT APPLY TO GIGAS this thing is a beast and grow way too fast)So you have to ‘put them up for adoption’ at some point if you don’t have a huge tank?
The first few times I was very nervous. I did massive water changes because my skimmer was going nuts. Then it kept on doing it night after night. I gave up on the water changes and just let whatever was going to happen, happen. There was nothing I could do about it anyways. Luckily nothing happened, and like someone already mentioned the fauna appeared to be healthier afterwards. The polyp extension on the SPS was incredible. Now every summer around July/August it will spawn for a week or so. I just ignore that I can barly see into the tank because of the cloud it produces.Incredible!
How do you deal with the spawning?
I have an 10" squamosa, and although i have not noted any spawning, i do worry about it happening when i least expexted.
I saw a video in youtube about a reefer having water quality problems when his gigant clam spawned.
Thank you!Just marvelous! As in I am marveled!
Good question.Do they always get that big or do they adapt to the tank they’re in?
This is a true statement. I toyed with the idea of donating it to SeaWorld San Antonio. My friend Jim Norris donated his Gigas back in 2003,and from what I've heard they lost it in an unfortunate accident. I knew that if I upgraded it would need to be a hybrid glass and acrylic tank in order to handle the weight on the bottom of the tank.So you have to ‘put them up for adoption’ at some point if you don’t have a huge tank?
Too funny! As a child my uncle told me stories of a man-eating clam he encountered while diving. Who knew... I thought he was just kidding me.I saw an old black & white John Wayne movie when I was a kid. This guy got his ankle caught in a giant clam. He was after a huge pearl. Now that clam was a lot bigger than 4 ft !
But seriously those clam pics were awesome !
Troy V, very interesting and cool setup! What's the sump situation for all 3 tanks?
My maxima is roughly 8-9" the derasa is about 3.5".
Those prices are great from what i've been able to find, even online! Are you in California by chance? Seems all of the affordable and easily accessible things are either in California or Florida... Definitely not in Michigan =(