Maxima clam won’t open

[Scrubber_steve]

I agree with @juniorrocketdad

I have a derasa growing out in my sump. The thing is bulletproof, it’s survived all manner of screwups. I’ll post a pic in 2 weeks when I get home. They are also pretty spectacular with colour.

What size tank do you have Steve?

just a 50gal now days.

Tell me, is you sump illuminated? Soryy, I have never kept clams, but believe they all need light?

 

[ZaneTer]

Hi Steve

I have mine growing under a mars aqua BB (no lenses) in the sump. 100% on both channels.

My clam grows pretty quick but it’s currently in the 40g sump until it reaches around 8” then I will transfer it to my 180 DT. I have excessive flow in the display and it would just get thrown around for now.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Hi Steve

I have mine growing under a mars aqua BB (no lenses) in the sump. 100% on both channels.

My clam grows pretty quick but it’s currently in the 40g sump until it reaches around 8” then I will transfer it to my 180 DT. I have excessive flow in the display and it would just get thrown around for now.

I'm liking the idea of a clam as a natural filtration method, so looks aren't important to me.. They assimilate DOC. Could this be a viable replacement for GAC ? I need to read more on it.

 

[ZaneTer]

I can’t speak on that to be honest. It may work but I suspect it might still be a lot safer to run GAC once in a while to remove potential toxins.

Clams are show pieces. They will always gather the most attention and for good reason. Now that I have had one for a few months I don’t believe I will ever go without one again. Even if it is only for looks.

 

[DSC reef]

Clams don't mind GAC, but always had negative reactions with GFO. Derasa are a great starter clam but grow quickly. Just remember, getting a healthy clam in the beginning is very important.

 

[juniorrocketdad]

Clams don't mind GAC, but always had negative reactions with GFO. Derasa are a great starter clam but grow quickly. Just remember, getting a healthy clam in the beginning is very important.

I wasn’t aware of this, I am running gfo do you think that could have been why the clam didn’t make it?

 

[DSC reef]

I wasn’t aware of this, I am running gfo do you think that could have been why the clam didn’t make it?

I honestly don't think so. I think your clam was in bad shape before you bought it. Clams like nutrients and GFO lowered them to quickly. I would notice minimal mantle extension when running GFO. I'm sure many people keep clams with GFO however my experience was the opposite many times over.

 

[Bryce M.]

I'm sorry man, I hope you will get a clam again and have it better

 

[Neo Jeo]

I have read that small clams have a low servival rate in home tanks. My local guy stopped buying small one bc his customers would say after a few months they just died.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I have read that small clams have a low servival rate in home tanks. My local guy stopped buying small one bc his customers would say after a few months they just died.

I've read that. But big ones come from small ones.

 

[DSC reef]

I have read that small clams have a low servival rate in home tanks. My local guy stopped buying small one bc his customers would say after a few months they just died.

The difficulty is their for sure but buying a healthy specimen will go a long way. Some say they need to be fed but it's anecdotal and I truly noticed no difference in 2 different tanks from fed clams versus non fed and the non fed small squamosa grew to 12"+.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Sorry about your clam. I lost a recent purchase myself. Green maxima :( Looked better than yours at the start but went downhill fast. I have a blue that I got locally that's been doing good. Also a small gold I got with the green is still kicking, so I'm not sure what led to the demise of mine either. Getting ready to send out an ICP test to verify my water chemistry. I would go with a derasa but they really get too big for my tastes. Squamosa would be a nice but also get a bit large for me. I'd like a crocea but have heard that they are even more sensitive than maximas?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

The difficulty is their for sure but buying a healthy specimen will go a long way. Some say they need to be fed but it's anecdotal and I truly noticed no difference in 2 different tanks from fed clams versus non fed and the non fed small squamosa grew to 12"+.

Clams filter feed & photosynthesise like a coral. I guess a blue maxima that needs strong light is more highly dependant on photosynthetic feeding? nitrogen & phosphate, so feeding is a lot less impotant than inorganic nutrient availability

 

[DSC reef]

Clams filter feed & photosynthesise like a coral. I guess a blue maxima that needs strong light is more highly dependant on photosynthetic feeding? nitrogen & phosphate, so feeding is a lot less impotant than inorganic nutrient availability

I agree. Of course I like to read and there is so much good info and articles by James Fatheree.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I agree. Of course I like to read and there is so much good info and articles by James Fatheree.

I'll look him up thanks

 

[Bryce M.]

Huh, well I would like to try one, maybe I'll do one in another tank

 

[Neo Jeo]

I've read that. But big ones come from small ones.

Ha .. that’s funny. Big ones come from small ones that were taken care of by big clam caretakers;)