Using only clams as Filtration?

[The_Paradox]

So yeah I have a 20g reef and 40g sump wanted to load the sump with clams maybe 1000 dollars worth. I try to keep my tank clean a natural way still doing biweekly water changes.

Maybe not understanding. If you are doing water changes how are the clams the primary export MOA?

 

[musel101]

I hope you didnt take that as an insult..just trying to be funny.

No I didn’t I got sidetracked a little bit. So I’m gonna end up doing that I don’t have much filtration in my tank to begin with all I have is activated carbon and nothing else.
For the past two months my phosphate has been 0.04 to 0.10
Nitrite 3ppb to 9ppb. I feel like I’ve got most of my levels under control they’re a little low so if I just get rid of the activated carbon it should balance itself out

 

[musel101]

Maybe not understanding. If you are doing water changes how are the clams the primary export The

In my opinion the water change will replenish minerals and minor trace elements that I cannot add for the bottle

 

[Paul B]

Don’t shoot me just wondering if it’s ever been done

It has been done. I added clams many times, probably dozens. I live on Long Island and collect clams often, usually for my linguine and clams. I put a few in my tank where they will live a week or two. A reef tank is much to warm for the clams near your house in Mass. That is why our clams do not live in the tropics. But it is not just the temperature.

Clams filter an enormous amount of water and that water where they come from is very muddy and full of organics and particles. Our reef tanks have just about nothing in it to keep them alive for any length of time.

Here I am collecting amphipods, clams and mussels. The water is filthy, just the way shellfish like it.



When I collect tuxedo urchins here, I dress better.

 

[musel101]

Thanks I do believe they help get Rid of phosphate and nitrate. Get enough and Possibilities are endless. I’ll just keep up with dosing alk,cal,and mag