Starter Clam?

[Deanb]

Is their any specific clam that want to start with or do you just take the plunge and buy one???

 

[Jcr's Reef]

Not trying to discourage ya but, Read about them and make sure you meet or exceed their requirements...There is no such thing as a starter clam, just lower grade ones (cheaper) and they all need the same needs....

 

[skinz78]

Is their any specific clam that want to start with or do you just take the plunge and buy one???

I would say if you have the lighting for it go ahead and start with a Crocea.

Not trying to discourage ya but, Read about them and make sure you meet or exceed their requirements...There is no such thing as a starter clam, just lower grade ones (cheaper) and they all need the same needs....

I totally agree, read up, and ask lots of questions.

How big is your tank? What type of lighting do you have? What other inhabitants do you have? How old is your tank?

 

[Deanb]

110 gallons. 2 250 watt halides. Going l.e.d. have 3 tangs 1 fox face 4 chromis and a 6 line. Sps/lps here and their. 7 months

 

[get_armbarred]

You should be ok just read alot before you buy. Here's my crocea in my 1 year old 75

 

[m and m]

With that sewt up you should not have a issue with them, i would just watch your cal due to they suck it down like its there job.

 

[aalvarado87]

i dig maximas I have had two for quite a long time one is massive about 7 inches the other is about 3 they seem to do well but yeah like others have said man read up on them and then take the plunge. I have my big 7 in around 140 par and it has been just fine. under leds that is.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Try to get a clam on the bigger side cause the smaller ones need supplemental feedings. The bigger ones dont, but do need lots of light. By bigger I mean at least 3" big. here is mine

 

[BlazinNano]

With your lights you should be good. Read what kind you want. Make sure your calcium is right. Do you dose calcium?

 

[aalvarado87]

i heard that it was bs that you don't need to feed them. At reefapalooza i forgot what vendor it was but he was saying that a clam is just a big filter feeder and filters out your water and gets its nutrients from the water that you don't necesarily need to spot feed it or anything i think jsut adding stuff to the tank for your corals gets the job done

 

[Jcr's Reef]

i heard that it was bs that you don't need to feed them. At reefapalooza i forgot what vendor it was but he was saying that a clam is just a big filter feeder and filters out your water and gets its nutrients from the water that you don't necesarily need to spot feed it or anything i think jsut adding stuff to the tank for your corals gets the job done

For the most part that is true. When clams are smaller they rely more on filter feeding (phyto) , and as they grow they rely more on lighting, but still filter feed. I don't spot feed mine, it pulls whatever it needs from the water column.

 

[MimicOcto8]

i heard that it was bs that you don't need to feed them. At reefapalooza i forgot what vendor it was but he was saying that a clam is just a big filter feeder and filters out your water and gets its nutrients from the water that you don't necesarily need to spot feed it or anything i think jsut adding stuff to the tank for your corals gets the job done

I guess thats what I mean. The bigger clams can "suck" in enough water to get thier food there, where as small ones need some help in the home aquarium

 

[aalvarado87]

that makes sense. It is so funny how you get such mixed replies through out the hobby. All you would spot feed them would be like phyto or something else? just curious and how often do they recommend feeding the little guys? I have like a 3 inch and an 8 inch maxima so not much to worry about but i do like gaining the knowledge.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

I've had the best luck with Croceas... i've had maximas and squamosas as well but the Croceas seem to be able to put up with more

 

[Deanb]

Thanks guys for all the replys :). I dont dose calicum but my calcium is high, and ive got a kalk reactor in the mail:haha:

 

[skinz78]

There is a little known secret when it comes to clams...... They don't need fed anything other than fish poop and high light. The one's who started the whole clams need to be fed thing were the company's who were selling the clam food.

 

[dougers31]

I've had the best luck with Croceas... i've had maximas and squamosas as well but the Croceas seem to be able to put up with more

Yup, as long as you have very good lighting and water params croceas are good. I have one that unfortanantely is covered in H.alge but is still doing well(though a bit irritated).