Maxima clam help (new owner)

[faiz_latif]

Hello all. Recently my tank hit the 9 months mark. Have got relative stability of alk,no3 & po4 so I thought why not get a clam. This guys been in the tank 2 days ~250 par.


I was wondering if he’s looking happy, I was wondering if Maximus get much fluffier than this. It’s an A grade blue maxima :) while I was scraping the tank a snail got whacked off the glass and landed on him (pic is after). He has attached to the rock so that has me feeling good so far. Also do I need to give it anything? I have phyto feast on hand but don’t wanna raise po4, thoughts?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Did you do your research prior to purchase?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Here is a thread on the issue.

Thread 'Maxima clams' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maxima-clams.1073899/

 

[Jason boles]

Lol at first commenter. In my experience not doing anything is the best solution.

I have had several and when they were not doing good the mouth would open big and look odd.

I would just keep going as is. Looks healthy as a clam to me!

 

[faiz_latif]

Here is a thread on the issue.

Thread 'Maxima clams' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maxima-clams.1073899/

I know general care discussed in this one thanks!

 

[dansyr]

Seems happy, but honestly ~2 days all you can tell I think is that A) your clam is in reasonable-to-good health to begin with and B) your initial parameters are OK or better and C) you don't have an unknown predator. All of those together, that's great!

But the trick is to watch over a bit, make sure there is good shell growth, consistent mantle extension, etc. All seems well, you chose a nice clam so I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on it often, and hopefully all stays well and it's with you for decades.

 

[faiz_latif]

Lol at first commenter. In my experience not doing anything is the best solution.

I have had several and when they were not doing good the mouth would open big and look odd.

I would just keep going as is. Looks healthy as a clam to me!

Sweet! Found out quickly they don’t like acro levels of flow, but they like the light.

Seems happy, but honestly ~2 days all you can tell I think is that A) your clam is in reasonable-to-good health to begin with and B) your initial parameters are OK or better and C) you don't have an unknown predator. All of those together, that's great!

But the trick is to watch over a bit, make sure there is good shell growth, consistent mantle extension, etc. All seems well, you chose a nice clam so I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on it often, and hopefully all stays well and it's with you for decades.

Thank you. speaking of unknown predators, I removed all peppermint shrimp from the display and sumped them because I read conflicting info on if they predate clams… if so what are alternative clam safe aptasia control?

 

[faiz_latif]

Lol at first commenter. In my experience not doing anything is the best solution.

I have had several and when they were not doing good the mouth would open big and look odd.

I would just keep going as is. Looks healthy as a clam to me!

Thank you. Was curious if the mouth looked healthy.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I know general care discussed in this one thanks!

Yeah, I gotta humbly apologize for that snarky comment. It sucked. No excuse. Again, sorry brother.

 

[faiz_latif]

Yeah, I gotta humbly apologize for that snarky comment. It sucked. No excuse. Again, sorry brother.

No worries always good to read and confirm what ur doing is right

 

[Tcook]

That is a very nice clam. I would work on getting the par to 300+ at least. You don’t need to feed the clam. It will live off the light (with its zooxanthellae). It will take other nutrients out of the water.

 

[faiz_latif]

That is a very nice clam. I would work on getting the par to 300+ at least. You don’t need to feed the clam. It will live off the light (with its zooxanthellae). It will take other nutrients out of the water.

Currently on a magnet rack I raise slowly every day. Was in 200 par at store didn’t wanna shock it! But thanks I agree

 

[dansyr]

Sweet! Found out quickly they don’t like acro levels of flow, but they like the light.

Thank you. speaking of unknown predators, I removed all peppermint shrimp from the display and sumped them because I read conflicting info on if they predate clams… if so what are alternative clam safe aptasia control?

No idea, only shrimp in my clam tank are sexy shrimp and knock on wood, no aiptasia, sorry. I feel like i've seen clams in tanks with peppermints, hopefully someone will chime in

 

[faiz_latif]

No idea, only shrimp in my clam tank are sexy shrimp and knock on wood, no aiptasia, sorry. I feel like i've seen clams in tanks with peppermints, hopefully someone will chime in

I work part time at the store I got the clam from, one of the other guys there seemed to think they would bother/go after the clam. I’m not sure however I’d like to still use them they’re great aptasia control.thanks for ur input tho..

 

[minus9]

Looks like another nice Red Sea maxima. Don't target a certain # for lighting, just make sure you see the new growth on the shell at all times. Meanwhile, if you haven't bought James Fatherree's book, I would suggest you pick it up. Clam book.

 

[Jason boles]

Yeah, I gotta humbly apologize for that snarky comment. It sucked. No excuse. Again, sorry brother.

All good man! We learn with friends.

I did click and read the whole article and enjoyed it, so thanks!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

These guys need good light. Clams dont fall down quick unless something was off with water quality as they can be sensitive. Dont allow ammonia or nitrates levels to build up and therefore develope a schedule of 20% water changes weekly. Add occasional trace elements helps the clam to survive .
Changes in temperature, oxygen levels, pH, or alk can make your clam diminish as will lack of light needed for photosynthesis supporting the zooxanthellae within their mantle and without proper light, most clams will starve.
A few numbers to keep in mind with them (ranges) :
Temperature not to exceed 80
Ca not to exceed 450-475
Ph not to exceed 8.3
Alk not to exceed 11
Salinity best at 1.025
Nitrate not to exceed 80
Moderate water flow
Good lighting

These are ranges and not absolute. There are many types of clams, and not all require the same lighting needs. It’s a myth that all clams need intense lighting. My favorite clam species are crocea and maxima clams for ease of care but they also require more light. Gigas and derasa clams can get by in deeper tanks with use of t5 or LED lighting.

 

[LPS Bum]

I have a few Maximas, and they don't actually need as much light as most people think. 200 PAR of full spectrum, reef capable lighting is more than enough to keep Maximas happy. More is fine, but I've seen them do well in as little as 150-175 PAR too.

Beyond that, they need stable levels of Alk and Calcium, moderate currents, no fish nipping their mantles, and if things start to go sideways mine have always responded well to a 30 min pH adjusted freshwater bath. This is useful for pinched mantle and other maladies too.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Hello all. Recently my tank hit the 9 months mark. Have got relative stability of alk,no3 & po4 so I thought why not get a clam. This guys been in the tank 2 days ~250 par.


I was wondering if he’s looking happy, I was wondering if Maximus get much fluffier than this. It’s an A grade blue maxima :) while I was scraping the tank a snail got whacked off the glass and landed on him (pic is after). He has attached to the rock so that has me feeling good so far. Also do I need to give it anything? I have phyto feast on hand but don’t wanna raise po4, thoughts?

LIVE phytofeast or any phytoplankton supplement will not raise po4. Phytoplankton is a group of microalgaes that feed off nutrients like NITRATE and PHOSPHATE, just like other algae do. So it will have the opposite effect and lower your po4. Phytoplankton is a large part of filter feeders' (like clams) diet in the wild, so dosing it into your tank will help your clam's growth and health. Corals benefit from phytoplankton too they will consume a little.

 

[faiz_latif]

No idea, only shrimp in my clam tank are sexy shrimp and knock on wood, no aiptasia, sorry. I feel like i've seen clams in tanks with peppermints, hopefully someone will chime in

LIVE phytofeast or any phytoplankton supplement will not raise po4. Phytoplankton is a group of microalgaes that feed off nutrients like NITRATE and PHOSPHATE, just like other algae do. So it will have the opposite effect and lower your po4. Phytoplankton is a large part of filter feeders' (like clams) diet in the wild, so dosing it into your tank will help your clam's growth and health. Corals benefit from phytoplankton too they will consume a little.

I noticed a bump up in po4 after adding phyto is mine dead?! Bottle says live and it’s not expired…