Clam and Alk/Nutrients

[JGT]

Have added a 7” Maxima to my 240. Clam is doing well. Attached to rock and growing new scutes. Been in the tank about 3 months and just recently I noticed a my Alk has dropped about 1 dKh and my PO4 has gone from a steady .06 to just about 0. Could a clam have that significant impact on those parameters in such a large amount of water. Also, Alk and Ca I can understand (although my Ca hasn’t been impacted) but PO4? And what about NO3? Thanks.

 

[jsker]

How about some pictures?

 

[Uncle99]

Will use all three!
Great water cleaners.
Enjoy…
trends in phosphate use are hard to establish accurately.

 

[JGT]

How about some pictures?

Sounds like you are just asking for some gratuitous clam pics. Twist my arm.

 

[jsker]

Sounds like you are just asking for some gratuitous clam pics. Twist my arm.

Nice clams

 

[Tcook]

Clam pics are never gratuitous. They are a requirement.

 

[hart24601]

Clams can use a shocking amount of alk and phosphate. It’s hard to say 100% it’s the clam since growth is so variable even with individuals of the same species.

I had many and they consumed several dkh/day along with needing phosphate and ammonia on a doser. It was around 200g but it was extreme enough I gave the clams to the local zoo.

Because the 1dkh was a drop over 3 months along with phosphate I would bet it’s the clam.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

They are element hogs and do filter water so, quite possible w drop in po4.

 

[minus9]

It's probably not the clam itself, but the overall system/biomass that's consuming alk/nutrients. Just feed throughout the day if you can and increase alk as normal. This is what you have to do as your tank/animals grow.

 

[MartinM]

Clams can use a shocking amount of alk and phosphate. It’s hard to say 100% it’s the clam since growth is so variable even with individuals of the same species.

I had many and they consumed several dkh/day along with needing phosphate and ammonia on a doser. It was around 200g but it was extreme enough I gave the clams to the local zoo.

Because the 1dkh was a drop over 3 months along with phosphate I would bet it’s the clam.

Yep, I removed the skimmer, added big fat fish (Mappa puffer is 25cm+, and no he doesn’t bother the clams much), feed super heavily, and dose nutrients all for the clams. But for me, the clams and anemones are the point of the aquarium, everything else is extra or for them.

 

[OrionN]

Very nice maxima. Some fish are taken chunks of your clam mantle. If you don't find and take care this pest, your clam may not do well long term. Good luck.

 

[JGT]

Thanks. Interesting that you raise this. It was like that when I got it. Wasn’t sure if it had been nipped or it was just and irregular mantle. I’m assuming it will grow back?

 

[OrionN]

Thanks. Interesting that you raise this. It was like that when I got it. Wasn’t sure if it had been nipped or it was just and irregular mantle. I’m assuming it will grow back?

Yest it will grow back and the color will be exactly the same. The semicircle missing tissue indicated that it was bitten of by a Blenny or the like.