Squamosa Help

[tdileo]

These are not an animal I’ve done lots of research into. I’ve always loved the appearance of tridacnids, especially blue, but felt that my tank wasn’t mature enough and still wouldn’t be for about a year more so didn’t give them much thought. However just about everyone in my family knows how much I love them. I come home today and find a package on my porch. I read the label and get all excited. It was from a friend of my aunts in Florida who owns a shop down there. Must be a couple frags or something! The label also reads that it was shipped out Thursday and due to be here Friday. Today is Monday. My heart sunk, thinking there’s no way anything could survive such a long delay. I opened it up hopeful but not expecting much and found 3 euphyllia, and the topic of this post.. a blue squamosa. I wasted no time acclimating them, feeling that it was better to get them in within 20 minutes rather than adjusting over an hour+ and spending more time in bag water.

The clam has been in for maybe a half hour max at this point and is already open and looks amazing, something that really shocked me with such an enormous shipping delay. What signs should I be looking out for to know it’s declining in health? Is there anything special I can do to ensure that it does as well as it can? It is around 3” and under around 200PAR.

 

[DSC reef]

Congratulations on the new clam! Most likely won't be happy on a rock though. Try to keep it under nothing less than 200 par but more would be better. Visually inspect the clam for pyramid snails, especially by its foot. New white shell growth is a sign of a growing healthy clam.

 

[tdileo]

Congratulations on the new clam! Most likely won't be happy on a rock though. Try to keep it under nothing less than 200 par but more would be better. Visually inspect the clam for pyramid snails, especially by its foot. New white shell growth is a sign of a growing healthy clam.

I would like it on the sand, but my light all the way at the bottom is only around 70 PAR and I know it won’t be enough. It’s hard getting the bottom bright enough, I wish I could afford something like a pair of XR30s on my tank but I’m 16 and it’s really not doable on my budget. I did make sure to check for pyramids before placing it into the tank. The clam is by far the best looking thing in the delivery. I’m not very hopeful for the frags except for one.

 

[tdileo]

Anddd perfect timing. Just had the power go out.

 

[TheSchwenkster]

Anddd perfect timing. Just had the power go out.

Grab a pitcher and start circulating the water. Good luck!

 

[tdileo]

Grab a pitcher and start circulating the water. Good luck!

I have a generator so was just a few minutes without power. Still sucks because my controller starts beeping like crazy while the probes readjust lol.

 

[Shigshwa]

Looks fine for such a long delay. Smaller squamosas will attach onto rockwork, it's only when they get bigger that they lose that ability. I'd find a flatter surface to let it sit more level, if placing it on the rocks is gonna be a long term thing.

 

[jda]

If you need it up higher, then get a Tupperware sandwich container, put some sand in it and then place it up higher. I would look to get more light ASAP - this is one specimen that is worth it. You already got a "free" $300 clam, so lights are cheap, right? :) These are really hardy clams if you get them happy and then leave them alone.

I have 2 blue squammys under about 250 PAR and they grow almost too fast. They are probably 2 inches larger than this. I got them both at the same time and they were the same size then... funny how one is larger.

 

[jda]

Also, once it is happy, it will add a burden to your carbonate and calcium supply system. Monitor closely and be prepared to turn it up a bit before long.

 

[tdileo]

Also, once it is happy, it will add a burden to your carbonate and calcium supply system. Monitor closely and be prepared to turn it up a bit before long.

My tank is already mostly SPS with a couple other things mixed throughout so not looking forward to dosing more for the demand.
On another note, the seller assumed everything would be DOA and sent out another package yesterday and it is waiting at home for me now. I'll be home in about an hour, already had someone bring the box inside for me :)

 

[jda]

Blue Squamosa are worth any extra dosing or light that you will need to get. They are one of my favorite creatures. The only bad thing about them is that I have to move them on when they get 13-15 inches and start over again and that breaks my heart every time.

 

[Bobr]

I have a generator so was just a few minutes without power. Still sucks because my controller starts beeping like crazy while the probes readjust lol.

Im actually researching for a controller which model you got?

 

[tdileo]

Im actually researching for a controller which model you got?

I use a ReefKeeper because it’s a nice low budget one that does everything I need. It can be used to program timers, alert me if pH or temp goes above or below a certain level so I can address it, can run my heater accurately, and some other things. Not as advanced as Apex or GHL, but in my opinion it’s a great buy for the money.

 

[Bobr]

Thanks. Is it a must have though? Reading through the threads, it seems like something you get if you go on trips often or to have a peace of mind. I'm planning to get a 20 or 29g with a few easier fish and maybe a few really easy coral like softies and such.

 

[tdileo]

Thanks. Is it a must have though? Reading through the threads, it seems like something you get if you go on trips often or to have a peace of mind. I'm planning to get a 20 or 29g with a few easier fish and maybe a few really easy coral like softies and such.

Definitely not a must have but it’s great for peace of mind and controllability. Without controller, my heater fluctuates almost a full degree. With the heater it’s kept to .2 or so. If a dosing pump were to fail in the on position and spiked pH, the controller would cut power to the pump and (hopefully) save my corals and fish. These are just two of so many things they can help with. My first tank did not have any controller and ran fine but I don’t think I’d do a tank (other than a very cheap one) without a controller again.

 

[Herby’s reef]

If you need it up higher, then get a Tupperware sandwich container, put some sand in it and then place it up higher. I would look to get more light ASAP - this is one specimen that is worth it. You already got a "free" $300 clam, so lights are cheap, right? :) These are really hardy clams if you get them happy and then leave them alone.

I have 2 blue squammys under about 250 PAR and they grow almost too fast. They are probably 2 inches larger than this. I got them both at the same time and they were the same size then... funny how one is larger.

I agree with this. My blue Squam0sa is one of my very favorite things in my tank. It is often said that they do not require as much light as other clams, but I lost one once under around 200 par. I really think you should aim for 250 plus. Mine often attaches to a rock, but also often lets go, so I really recommend placing in sand bed. JDA is correct, this clam is definitely worth upgrading your lighting!

 

[fire4755]

Good idea with the sand. I'm in the same boat. Not enough PAR at the sand bed and don't want to burn up the low light coral.

 

[Herby’s reef]

Good idea with the sand. I'm in the same boat. Not enough PAR at the sand bed and don't want to burn up the low light coral.

I had the same issue. I just made the side of the tank with the clam an sps side and I run the radions higher on that side. This might not work for every tank size and situ though.

 

[fire4755]

Hmmm didn't think of that

 

[ajtomase]

If you need it up higher, then get a Tupperware sandwich container, put some sand in it and then place it up higher. I would look to get more light ASAP - this is one specimen that is worth it. You already got a "free" $300 clam, so lights are cheap, right? :) These are really hardy clams if you get them happy and then leave them alone.

I have 2 blue squammys under about 250 PAR and they grow almost too fast. They are probably 2 inches larger than this. I got them both at the same time and they were the same size then... funny how one is larger.

Where did you get those gorgeous clams from?!