Clam questions?

Pkunk35 · Sep 11, 2012

ok, you asked for it...

Are there any opinions or advice on keeping clams under LEDs? Also I have read that it is "impossible" to give clams too much light (they can somehow regulate it?), but the spotlighting on my kessil A350w is pretty strong and the tank is very shallow (20 gal long).

upon initial placement of the clam, am i wanting to keep it under more diffuse lower light (off to the sides) to allow it to adjust? Or give the clam more light from the get go? And will the clams move themselves to better lighting placement? Can they move like that around the tank? How do you know if a clam "wants" more light?? Also will they move to a better flow area as well if they do not like their flow?

I really appreciate any help and thoughts to my questions. Here are tank params if it helps: spg: 1.026, Alk: 8, cal: 440, Mg: 1400 all pretty stable using 2 part dosing manually daily. Kalk in my top offs on occasion. Tank is 3 1/2 years old and can grow sps (acro, monti and leptoseris) and i do a 10-15% each week WC.

Skins, I had a question for you and your tank (which is amazing tank btw, i'm trying to read through your tank thread these last couple days), does the placement of the clams inside the montipora bother the motipora at all? In particular where the foot may attach?

skinz78 · Sep 11, 2012

As far as keeping clams under LED's I see no problem with it, as long as you can keep sps, you can keep clams. You can give them too much light and they will bleach out.

I would start the clam in the lower light areas first and then slowly move it to where you want it. They can move, but it is very very limited. If the clam wants more light it's mantle will appear to be reaching towards the light.

The clam in the Monti tends to make the Monti bleach and die under the clam but other than that there is no issues.

Shauno · Sep 16, 2012

Pkunk35 said:
Are there any opinions or advice on keeping clams under LEDs? Also I have read that it is "impossible" to give clams too much light (they can somehow regulate it?), but the spotlighting on my kessil A350w is pretty strong and the tank is very shallow (20 gal long).

upon initial placement of the clam, am i wanting to keep it under more diffuse lower light (off to the sides) to allow it to adjust? Or give the clam more light from the get go? And will the clams move themselves to better lighting placement? Can they move like that around the tank? How do you know if a clam "wants" more light?? Also will they move to a better flow area as well if they do not like their flow?

I really appreciate any help and thoughts to my questions. Here are tank params if it helps: spg: 1.026, Alk: 8, cal: 440, Mg: 1400 all pretty stable using 2 part dosing manually daily. Kalk in my top offs on occasion. Tank is 3 1/2 years old and can grow sps (acro, monti and leptoseris) and i do a 10-15% each week WC.

LED's lights will work fine for keeping clams. If you grow sps with your lighting, then you can grow clams.

Check out this video showing a bunch of squamosa clams being placed on a grid and a time lapse video showing their movement between day and night:

The secrets of the Giant clam part 3: Aggregation - YouTube

Pkunk35 · Sep 17, 2012

Hey thanks for moving this to its own thread! I probably should have done that myself; sorry, still not used to creating threads.

Well, I just added my first clam to the tank, its a aquacultured crocea from ReefKoi! He helped me to make an easy decision as he was keeping them under LEDs already so I knew they were acclimated to them. I've placed him in a half oyster shell on the bottom of the tank and as of last night he had full mantle extension and good reaction to shadows (seems like a super hardy little guy).

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll try to contribute to the clam thread when i snap some pics. He's not "ultra" colored or anything but I do really love the pattern on him.

Shauno: I'll check that vid out when i get a chance, thanks.

paul

Pkunk35 · Oct 1, 2012

Anyone know if too much flow will cause a clam to pinch their mantle slightly?

My crocea has begun what looks like pinching in one fold, but the pinching is not always apparent, especially during the daytime. I'm wondering if it has to do with the current or physical disturbance as I cannot think what else it could be.

I've placed him in an area with less current, but am wondering if clams will behave like this when not in a spot he likes?

Here he was 2 days ago with the lights off, the top part of the mantle you can see the lip of the shell...I didn't think I saw that much retraction before. He is otherwise looking and acting normal. He is very responsive almost too responsive and I'm wondering if he got nipped at that part of the mantle?

Any insight or comments welcome. This is my first crocea.

skinz78 · Oct 1, 2012

I'm not seeing it?

Clams will look like they have PM while the lights are off, it's actually kinda common.

Pkunk35 · Oct 1, 2012

skinz78 said:
I'm not seeing it?

Clams will look like they have PM while the lights are off, it's actually kinda common.

Thanks, skins, he does look better in the lower flow and i'm glad to hear you say that they look like they have pm with lights off that puts my mind at ease.

Guess i'm just paranoid!