Need advice on adding my first clam

[SuncrestReef]

I’m looking for some advice on adding the first clam to my aquarium. I’m still relatively new to reefing with my tank only up and running for 3 months now, but I’ve read a lot of articles and forum posts warning that clams should not be added until a tank is at least a year old. What isn’t clear is whether that advice is to ensure the tank has matured to a certain level, or whether they are saying the aquarist needs to take that long to learn how to maintain a stable system.

I have a Reefer XL 425 with about 35 small corals (mostly SPS and a few LPS), a small bio load with only 6 small fish and 2 shrimp, one BTA, and a good sized cleanup crew of snails and hermit crabs. Since I’m retired, I spend a lot of time maintaining my system, routinely test water parameters daily, and I’m meticulous about keeping records of everything so I can analyze data trends over time. I have most things automated with my Apex and have alerts set up so I know right away if something is out of line. I also keep a stock of spare parts (return pump, powerheads, heaters, etc) so I can quickly address most system failures.

Here are my water parameters:

• Temp: 78 F
• Salinity: 1.026, using Red Sea Coral Pro salt
• pH: 8.1 - 8.2
• Alk: 9.0
• Ca: 420
• Mg: 1350
• PO4: < 0.03
• NO3: < 1

For lighting I’m using two Radion XR30 Pro’s, with PAR of 350 at the top of the rocks and 150 - 200 on the sand bottom. My Apex does small water changes of 1.5 gallons per day, and controls dosing BRS 2 part. I run carbon and GFO reactors, a UV sterilizer, and grow chaeto in my refugium with the grow light on opposite schedule of my Radions. I haven’t had any algae problems since the end of month 1 after finishing cycling the tank.

All of my corals are healthy, and I’ve seen good growth on both SPS and LPS. All the fish are healthy and I feed them LRS frozen twice per day. I also target feet corals Reef Roids once per week.

So, with all that said, is there any reason I should not add a clam at this time and wait until the tank is more mature?

Any first-hand experience and guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Gareth elliott]

@DSC reef

 

[DSC reef]

I usually dont recommend adding a clam so soon but with your circumstances I believe you'll be just fine. The main thing is stability IMO, and your numbers look great. For your first clam I'd suggest a squamosa or a derasa 3"-4" and you can keep them on the sandbed. While some have had bad luck with divers den, there warranty is really good. ORA has a nice selection as well as biota. I'd also suggest reading a few articles by James Fatheree, he has great info on tridacna clams.

 

[Oshengems]

As @DSC reef said stability is key I seen the growth of your sps on your other post a clam should do fine in your tank, I added a baby Maxima 2” to my tank about 3 months old, still going strong year and half later, your numbers are on point. Derasas are the easier since they require less light squamosas I would say medium care and Maximas a bit harder since they require more lighting, and btw my Maxima on the sand bed sitting on a burriednrock I used to toss in occasional drops of phytofeast when I first got it to let it adjust to my tanks light idk if it helped.

 

[Joel B.]

I agree, system parameters and lighting seem more than sufficient, and I think a nice-sized Squamosa or Derasa on the sand would be an ideal starter for you. I would keep an eye on the snails/crabs though, crabs can be ***** and I've seen a lot of whelks sneak through sold as nassarius and whelks will eat clams.

Fish wise anything that is at-risk to nip LPS is at-risk to nip clams. Blennies, butteflys, angels, tangs, etc.

Feeding isn't necessary but you can if you want, definitely do not direct-feed the clam, broadcast feed only.

 

[mckinney0171]

good luck with the clam. i hope you have better luck than i have had. in both cases mine have slowly wasted away over a period of about a month. one of these days i'm going to try it one last time. i know they need a TON of light. i think my case has always been not giving them enough light. seems like you are doing the right thing posting here though.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Just to follow up on this thread...I picked up a beautiful 5" Maxima clam today. I'm really glad I added it.

 

[GoPitt88]

Awesome clam!!!! Keep us updated on how he’s doing. Where did you get him? How did you acclimate him? I’m just asking because I just added my first clam (Squamosa) from Diver’s Den a few weeks ago and he’s still doing good.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Awesome clam!!!! Keep us updated on how he’s doing. Where did you get him? How did you acclimate him? I’m just asking because I just added my first clam (Squamosa) from Diver’s Den a few weeks ago and he’s still doing good.

Thanks! Yes, it's a good looking clam.

I picked it up at my LFS near Portland, OR. I didn't want to risk shipping or buy something sight unseen. They had about 8 Maxima's to choose from, and it was hard to choose because each one had unique color & pattern combinations. This one has mostly dark purple with light blue stripes, but some of the others had teal blue, greens, and spotted patterns.

I drip acclimated it for about 1 hour, and also dimmed my lights from 80% down to 40%. I'll bring them back up 80% over the next few days. For now I have the clam on the sand bed, but I plan to move it up on the rocks about 1/2 way up in the tank since I've read that Maxima's really like bright lighting.

Here's a time-lapse video of the clam opening and closing. It's pretty sensitive to any motion near the tank.

 

[DSC reef]

Clam looks great and your correct, they love light. Congrats.

 

[Oshengems]

Nice clam!!!!!!! Looks very healthy, will that be it’s final resting home ?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Nice clam!!!!!!! Looks very healthy, will that be it’s final resting home ?

I’m planning to move it up onto the rocks about 1/2 way up in the tank for more light. Just want to slowly acclimate first.

 

[Oshengems]

I’m planning to move it up onto the rocks about 1/2 way up in the tank for more light. Just want to slowly acclimate first.

That laps video is great!! I imagine the fish hovering are making it react great sign, you will notice once it settles it won’t retract as much with fishes.


Show us that top view!!!lol