6 inch Maxima in a 20 gallon high?

[WarmSensations]

As the title says I was offered a 6 inch or so maxima clam from a buddy and I have always wanted a clam in my tank. I currently have a current orbit 24 inch light which I know is super underpowered to maintain a clam. I have a bunch of softies and frogspawn thriving and was looking to upgrade my light. My budget is around $220 give or take so I was looking at a singular ai prime hd to use in conjucture with the current orbit I have atm. My questions are

1) Can a clam be too big for the tank? it would take quite a lot of room in the 20 gallon

2) Will the 1 ai prime hd be enough to keep the clam healthy? If not what are some alternatives close to the budget.

I know the clam would drain the calc a lot since its massive in the water volume but I do regular water changes and test weekly.

My thought process is if I keep it directly under the AI and since it is so big it would be able to use a lot of the light. Let me know if I am right.

 

[ludnix]

I do think the AI prime would be enough to keep it healthy but I would personally have some hesitation putting a clam in a 20g. I don't know what you're maintenance routine is like with the tank, but my main concern would be how quickly parameters could change in such little water volume. I would definitely try upgrading the light and some more sensitive corals to see how stable it is before adding such a delicate animal myself. I'm not saying it can't be done but I'm not sure it's wise unless you're extremely confident in the tanks stability and parameters.

 

[P-Dub]

As the title says I was offered a 6 inch or so maxima clam from a buddy and I have always wanted a clam in my tank. I currently have a current orbit 24 inch light which I know is super underpowered to maintain a clam. I have a bunch of softies and frogspawn thriving and was looking to upgrade my light. My budget is around $220 give or take so I was looking at a singular ai prime hd to use in conjucture with the current orbit I have atm. My questions are

1) Can a clam be too big for the tank? it would take quite a lot of room in the 20 gallon

2) Will the 1 ai prime hd be enough to keep the clam healthy? If not what are some alternatives close to the budget.

I know the clam would drain the calc a lot since its massive in the water volume but I do regular water changes and test weekly.

My thought process is if I keep it directly under the AI and since it is so big it would be able to use a lot of the light. Let me know if I am right.

I have seen a guy here that has three large clams in a 10 gallon standard with an Amazon purchased S box. They are doing great. You'll be fine. It sounds like a good plan... to a point.

 

[Mike.P]

As the title says I was offered a 6 inch or so maxima clam from a buddy and I have always wanted a clam in my tank. I currently have a current orbit 24 inch light which I know is super underpowered to maintain a clam. I have a bunch of softies and frogspawn thriving and was looking to upgrade my light. My budget is around $220 give or take so I was looking at a singular ai prime hd to use in conjucture with the current orbit I have atm. My questions are

1) Can a clam be too big for the tank? it would take quite a lot of room in the 20 gallon

2) Will the 1 ai prime hd be enough to keep the clam healthy? If not what are some alternatives close to the budget.

I know the clam would drain the calc a lot since its massive in the water volume but I do regular water changes and test weekly.

My thought process is if I keep it directly under the AI and since it is so big it would be able to use a lot of the light. Let me know if I am right.

It will be fine, just keep a close eye on the calcium, as you are already aware. That thing is going to suck it up like a vacuum... Aside from the water changes, you may need to start adding a supplement as well. But I would go for it! Congrats on such a gorgeous addition. ;Woot

 

[DSC reef]

If it's your first clam I'm going with pass on this one. Most clams will out grow that tank eventually besides crocea but they require a lot of light. I'd suggest a derasa and get used to growing a clam.

 

[Mike.P]

If it's your first clam I'm going with pass on this one. Most clams will out grow that tank eventually besides crocea but they require a lot of light. I'd suggest a derasa and get used to growing a clam.

That is an absolutely spot on point... Keep in mind that, eventually, you'll either need to get a bigger tank, or find that clam a new home.

 

[WarmSensations]

I do think the AI prime would be enough to keep it healthy but I would personally have some hesitation putting a clam in a 20g. I don't know what you're maintenance routine is like with the tank, but my main concern would be how quickly parameters could change in such little water volume. I would definitely try upgrading the light and some more sensitive corals to see how stable it is before adding such a delicate animal myself. I'm not saying it can't be done but I'm not sure it's wise unless you're extremely confident in the tanks stability and parameters.

It will be fine, just keep a close eye on the calcium, as you are already aware. That thing is going to suck it up like a vacuum... Aside from the water changes, you may need to start adding a supplement as well. But I would go for it! Congrats on such a gorgeous addition. ;Woot

If it's your first clam I'm going with pass on this one. Most clams will out grow that tank eventually besides crocea but they require a lot of light. I'd suggest a derasa and get used to growing a clam.

Thanks for yall's feedback. It is my first clam and I heard that the bigger ones were easier to take care of than the smaller ones so I was wondering if this was my chance to get one. I did forgot to mention that I have a simple $1 per gallon sale 20 gallon and I will be upgrading to a slightly bigger and "fancier" tank around 30 maybe 40 gallons in about 4 months time so this is more of a "would it be okay for a couple months" size kinda thing.

 

[DSC reef]

It could work but honestly I'd wait until your upgrade is complete, tank is stable and then try a clam. Small cultured clams are just as easy to raise now. I'd be weary of large imported clams as they can be wild caught.

 

[ludnix]

It could work but honestly I'd wait until your upgrade is complete, tank is stable and then try a clam. Small cultured clams are just as easy to raise now. I'd be weary of large imported clams as they can be wild caught.

Has the stock changed or just our methods of keeping them? I haven't kept clams for about 8 years and back then the little sub 2" maximas were difficult compared to larger specimens.

 

[hart24601]

I was going to say what DSC did. If it's really 6" it's a good chance of being wild which is pretty rough but not impossible. Bigger is easier if all else is the same, cultured 1" vs 3" for example but not when comparing cultured vs wild.

If it's healthy and growing they are pretty tough at that size.

Not sure of the PAR levels with a prime in that tank but I would want 300 on the clam which can be tricky to not bleach the corals but putting them at the edges can work.

 

[DSC reef]

Has the stock changed or just our methods of keeping them? I haven't kept clams for about 8 years and back then the little sub 2" maximas were difficult compared to larger specimens.

I believe culturing has become better like Pacific east. Healthier clams, pekinsus free, etc. I believe Dr. Mac has a nice write up about it.

 

[clown and friends]

I believe culturing has become better like Pacific east. Healthier clams, pekinsus free, etc. I believe Dr. Mac has a nice write up about it.

It could work but honestly I'd wait until your upgrade is complete, tank is stable and then try a clam. Small cultured clams are just as easy to raise now. I'd be weary of large imported clams as they can be wild caught.

Can you elaborate? I was weary of getting a clam from pacific east coast currently since their stock are all 1-2". I like the colors of some of the ones they have but I was always told they're impossible to keep that small.

 

[DSC reef]

Dr. Mac has a great write up from Pacific east. Healthy small cultured clams from a reliable source are no more difficult to keep than others but it's not a guarantee either. Wild collected can be notorious for protozoans, diseases, etc.

 

[clown and friends]

Dr. Mac has a great write up from Pacific east. Healthy small cultured clams from a reliable source are no more difficult to keep than others but it's not a guarantee either. Wild collected can be notorious for protozoans, diseases, etc.

So would I be crazy to try one of those 1.5” clams from PEA as my first clam if I like the color of one? Or is patience a virtue and wait for a bigger set to come up?

 

[DSC reef]

I think any clam would be fine from Pacific east but I'd suggest a derasa for your first clam. He gets some nice ones in. Patience will always be a virtue

 

[hart24601]

PEA does get 2-3" ones too. I would wait, or just send an email to Dr Mac to see what he thinks. He has more experience with clams than any of us.

 

[clown and friends]

I think any clam would be fine from Pacific east but I'd suggest a derasa for your first clam. He gets some nice ones in. Patience will always be a virtue

PEA does get 2-3" ones too. I would wait, or just send an email to Dr Mac to see what he thinks. He has more experience with clams than any of us.

Thank you both for the replys! Given me a lot to think about