Lighting for clams

[MurseBS]

I have heard both MH and T5 lightning are either good or bad for clams. So my question is who is right? Mainly i am wondering will T5 lighting be sufficient enough to support adequate lighting for them. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Reef UP]

Depends on t5 bulb combo and placement but I know people who have kept clams under both for years!

 

[drainbamage]

depends on the bulbs, the fixtures, and the depth of the setup- all are important factors for either of the lighting options.

T5's can definitely sustain and grow any clams you want, similar with halides, but it just depends that you get the right type of either for your setup. Tell us what you're working with?

 

[MurseBS]

I have not set it up yet. And actually i am purchasing my 120 gal tomorrow. The lighting wont come for a little while, say about several weeks, but i think that will give my water flow an adequate time to get adjusted to the levels that are optimum. I am always open for ideas and I am very new to this. I have a 20 gal that just has LED's (not a big fan of the LED's by the way). I know those are not going to cut it so I was looking at this T5 setup (ill have the name of it tomorrow). Also the types of bulbs would be great. O yes tank dimensions... 48" length, 24" depth, and 24" height. Thanks guys for the info. And be brutally honest. Not a big fan of spending a whole lot of money against good advise. Lol i got bills to pay.

 

[drainbamage]

24" depth you can certainly keep clams all the way to the sandbed using T5's. Personally I'm a fan of teklights, but you may want to go for a 6 bulb unit, or even an 8 bulb if you're planning an SPS dominant tank. Any particular clams you have an eye on? or just want the options open?

I would recommend not worrying about the exact bulb combo until you've narrowed down your fixture choice. Luckily you have a couple weeks to decide :bigsmile:


Edit: BTW- WELCOME TO R2R! Go post in the meet and great forum to introduce yourself if you have a moment

 

[GeoHawk]

I am no lighting expert, but I kept a crocea clam under 65 watts of PC lighting for 2 years at about 17" depth. I think T5 would be better than PC.

 

[MurseBS]

Thanks guys for the advice and I am going to the meet and greet right now.

 

[skinz78]

I currently have a DIY six bulb T5 setup over my 120 "same dims as what you are getting" and I have several clams on the sandbed. It actually seems like most of my clams prefer to be on the sand, even the Maxima's and Crocea's. If you are handy and would be interested in checking out the DIY setup I did I can shoot ya the links?

I actually prefer T5 over MH, lots more to choose from with the bulbs, they use less energy, and run cooler. IMHO as long as you have good reflectors and bulbs you can keep anything with the right T5 setup.

 

[MurseBS]

Yeah go ahead and send the thread I'd like to check it out

 

[skinz78]

I haven't done a thread on it but I can send you the links to the lights I purchased.

I got the 4 bulb overdriven DIY from Hello Lights.The DIY really isn't much of a DIY if you ask me, the ballast has a harness and you just plug it in. The only complicated part is mounting the end caps, which isn't complicated at all. All I did is cut a piece of plywood and mounted them to it. The plywood sits inside of my hood and I can raise or lower it manually when I need to get in the tank. The light fixture even comes with bulbs, I think it is a great price.

Hellolights 48" 4 Lamp T5 Retrofit Kit (Bulbs Included)

I also got a 2 bulb DIY setup to add to the initial four. This setup is a little more involved but if you can follow a schematic you will be fine. It also comes with bulbs.

48" 2 x 54w T5 HO Retrofit Kit

Here is a link to my tank with some recent pic's and a few vids.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/51797-skinzs-120g-dream-come-true-16.html#post644559