Clams under PC lights
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3362
Printed Date: May 02 2025 at 2:39pm
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Topic: Clams under PC lights
Posted By: meterman
Subject: Clams under PC lights
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:03pm
| I have a typical 55 gal tank with 288 watts of daylight and actinic bulbs for lighting (5.2 watts / gal). Clams have struck my interest recently. Would any type of clam do fine under my lights? Any advice would be appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:33pm
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Maybe a T. Squamosa or T. Derasa, but could you provide a little bit more information about your setup please? How far into the water are you thinking of putting the clam and what type of lighting do you use? ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: meterman
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:52pm
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I am using PC's. I would like to place it on the substrate. This is about 16" from the lights. |
Posted By: jglover
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:53pm
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a brown derasa high up in the water should be fine. But don't get any nice colors until you have MH Lighting, or they will just turn brown and probably die. And what is your breakdown of 10K to acitinics |
Posted By: meterman
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:56pm
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(2) 65 Watt 10K daylights, (2) 65 watt actinics, and a 50/50 28watt. |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:57pm
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maybe a squamosa, but I don't know how it would do long term on the substrate. How much of the 16" is water? ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: meterman
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:59pm
| 14" is water. It's sounding like it would be better if I were to put one higher up on the rock... |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 4:03pm
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You may want to go onto the forum over clamsdirect.com too. They have a ton of good info there too. Oh, maybe, but definatly look into, the possiblity of a golden T. Maxima. It wook have to be kept high on the rocks though ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: Kull
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 4:09pm
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I had one in a 10 gallon with 2X32 on it and did just fone, mantle was open and it lived I moved it to a new tank, and it didn't get enough light. The tank it was at the 16-18 inch level under 2X36. SO I would agree, that it probably needs togo higher. These are my clams now. They both sit on the bottom at around 17 inches, they open under the PC lights, but didnt thrive until I added the MHs. Good luck.
------------- "So this is what gives meaning to your life." -Unknown Daniel in Santaquin |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 6:31pm
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Another opition might be if you could provide natural lighting. My boss has one on the bottom of her tank. The lights are not strong enough to support a clam. However, it get natual sun/evening light and is doing great.... Just a thought and way cheaper then MH's.. ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: August 19 2004 at 6:40pm
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Here's a link to clamsdirect... Seriously awesome site and info!!! http://www.clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/profile.php?mode=register&ruid=678 - http://www.clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/profile.php?mode=register& amp;ruid=678 ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 12:10am
The owner claims these two clams are doing well in a low light area, the front left corner of this basement tank lit by 4 55W PC's! 
Personally, I love clams in natural sunlight. Pics coming. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: meterman
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 7:34am
| Natural light? I hadn't thought of that, however the way my tank is set up it does get indirect sun light in the morning and direct sun light in the evening. Thanks for the advice. I think I'll start with a small brown derasa. Has anyone seen any decent looking ones around the LFS's lately? |
Posted By: ssilcox
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 8:21am
| I am pretty sure that aquatica had a really nice one last time I was there. |
Posted By: ssilcox
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 9:01am
| The other thing to think about keeping clams under low light is definately supplement feeding with some sort of green water / phyto. It will not be getting as much sustanence from it's symbiotic algae so you need to supplement it to keep it happy |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 9:18am
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Also if you decide to get a clam smaller than ~3" you may have to bowl feed daily to make sure it's eating enough. Bowl feeding is when you place the clam in a bowl of water, place it in sunlight and add some photo (like DT's) until the water turns green. Once the water becomes clear again the clam goes back into the tank. ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: ssilcox
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 9:42am
Orrr....  You can cut a 2 liter bottle in half, place it over the clam, then put the DT's/phyto/whatever in the bottle half. That way the dt's is being target fed. Might be easier than taking the clam completely out of the tank
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Posted By: meterman
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 1:13pm
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I know I don't have halides, but I didn't think that 5.2 watts/gal was low?
Unless your Adam... |
ssilcox wrote:
Posted By: ssilcox
Date Posted: August 20 2004 at 1:53pm
| The main concern is the light penetration, especially if you are placing the clam on the bottom of the tank. I.e. a 96 watt halide (which isnt available but for arguments sake only) is going to penetrate the water and give more light to your clam at the bottom of the tank than a 96 watt PC would/could |
Posted By: Travis
Date Posted: August 24 2004 at 3:58pm
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Here's something to think about... Crocea Clam kept under 440w of VHOs in a 55g- 8 wpg placed half way up the tank.
Same crocea clam after being under MH for less than 3- months
Another pic...
Mark, how long has those clams been under the PC?? |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: August 30 2004 at 5:46am
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Its doable under VHO and PC. But under halides I think you will have better success and much better color.
Like Travis I had several T. Maximas and Croceas and they did okay. But when I put them under halides they were off the hook! Clams will be at their best when they are thriving, as opposed to surviving. I feel this is best accomplished under Halides for the most part. There will always be some exceptions to the rule this has just been my experience with them, thats all.... ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 30 2004 at 3:25pm
I agree, making the additional comment that natural sunlight is just as good as, or better than, MH.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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