clam lighting spectrum?

[s_tempest]

So there's lots of research and discussion on the "best" spectrum for our corals. As a new owner of a maxima, I wonder if there is any information about the optimum lighting spectrum for giant clams? Would it be similar to that for many corals, given that the zooxanthellae are all dinoflagellates? Or, since many clams naturally live in fairly shallow water, would their symbionts be more adapted to more-white light?
Given that you can shift spectrum with LEDs, is there any evidence to support a particular lighting spectrum?
Self-quarantining gives you time to think all sorts of rando thoughts...

 

[Dana Riddle]

Since Tridacna tissues are refractive, probably best to use full spectrum lamps.
see here for details:

Coral Coloration, Part 9: Tridacna and Other Photosynthetic Clam Coloration, With Observations on Possible Functions

This month, we will continue our observations of marine invertebrate coloration with a slightly different subject - that of the impressive appearance of photosynthetic clams.

reefs.com

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have always had mine under MH (20K) and/or T5s (blue). Now, my current clams in qt are under T5s blue and T5s coral plus. They do well under these spectrums. The bulbs I use have a wider spectrum. I do not know how this translates into the LED.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I have a maxima in my wifes Biocube stock LED. Happy and healthy and had it over a year.

 

[ChristianAl]

I have 3" Gigas and 3" Derasa under 2 Ai Hydra HD and 4x 48" T5's. These two Giant clams are more forgiving when it comes to lighting

 

[Phil D.]

I have mine under AI Hydra 26 HDs and he's loving it. 65% UV, 68% Blues and 5% white.

 

[ChristianAl]

I have mine under AI Hydra 26 HDs and he's loving it. 65% UV, 68% Blues and 5% white.

Amazing color

 

[hart24601]

Over the years I have kept clams under whiter light, pretty heavy blue light and even have a couple growing in my sump under a kessil h380.... overall I have not found them to be fussy with spectrum.

 

[jda]

As Dr. Mac has posted many time, nearly all clams that we have in our tanks are collected at less than 3m of depth, and most much shallower like around waist/shoulder deep. At this level, the light is about 6500k. This would likely be "optimal," but might not be necessary.

In all actuality, as long as you are providing some amount of full spectrum, then you will be OK. Remember that even "blue" MH and T5 bulbs have a good amount of all spectrums in them. About the only way that you might make a clam mad is to only use a small band of narrow-spectrum LED... like blue-only.

FWIW - most clams look really good under whiter light... 6500k or 10k can really make most clams pop.