Clam rock or not to clam rock

[ajtomase]

Hi everyone! I'm thinking about getting my first maxima clam. Currently have real reef rock and I'm not sure if I should get a real reef rock shelf to put him on, or purchase a clam rock (not the same color, but would prevent him from tipping. What have you guys used to keep your maxima clams on the rocks and not rock off?

 

[Ron Reefman]

In a fairly short period of time, like a couple of days at most, it should attach to the rock and be fine on it's own. They attach so well that removing them can cause serious damage to the clam.

 

[DHill6]

I made a flat piece out of Marco cement, my mimosa clam attached quickly and opened. It didn’t like the clam cradle, it couldn’t open fully. If I need to move the clam it’s easily done.

 

[OrionN]

I just put mine on an oyster shell, or on the sand, or rock. No need to buy a "clam rock". Anything sorta flat and look natural in your tank will do.
If you want to move your clam around, put him on the sand or a small rock, then you can move him. If he attach to a large reef structure, then you can't move him unless you cut him loose.

 

[SauceyReef]

These are so beautiful! Do they need to attach to something? Cant live in the sand bed? How fast will one grow from 1" to let's say 6"?

 

[Imaexpat2]

I always put mine in a Clam, Scallop or Oyster shell half...that way they are easily removed and relocated if they need to be.

These are so beautiful! Do they need to attach to something? Cant live in the sand bed? How fast will one grow from 1" to let's say 6"?

Yes they are. Yes they do. Some prefer that others dont. Thats like asking how long is a piece of string...it can vary greatly depending on tank set up. They can be serious Calcium hogs once they get much in the way of size on them! I have seen a few in tanks that were 18-24 inches (Gigas) ! Croceas are the smallest ones and Gigas are the largest commonly found in the hobby. The rest fall somewhere in between.

 

[SauceyReef]

Thank you for replying. I was considering getting a small deresa for my Fluval because I heard it is one of the easier ones. Can certain species stay in the sand bed?

 

[OrionN]

All the clams are about the same in term of easy of care but Crocea, Maxima, and Noae does require brighter lights. Gigas, Derasa and Squamosa do not need near as bright light.
Crocea take 4-5 years to grow from 1 inch to 3 inches, is the slowest growing clam while my Gigas grew from 2 inches to 8 inches in 14-16 months is the fastest growing clam.

 

[Imaexpat2]

Thank you for replying. I was considering getting a small deresa for my Fluval because I heard it is one of the easier ones. Can certain species stay in the sand bed?

Yes! A T. Derasa can be found in the wild on sand or packed sand beds and can grow up to 24 inches. I havent seen any that big in a home tank but I have seen some close to that! Clams under 2 inches should be supplement feed twice a week at about 3 inches they should be large enough to not need to be fed. I typically feed ones under three inches in a bowl out side the main tank until the water clears then put back in the tank. That way I aint pouring tons of food into the tank which could trash my water quality. It wont require light nearly as intense as Maximas and Croceas require. I would suggest you QT any clam you get for a couple of weeks after inspecting for Pyrimid Snails and scrub before QT to make sure there are no eggs!

 

[Reefrats]

I just put mine on an oyster shell, or on the sand, or rock. No need to buy a "clam rock". Anything sorta flat and look natural in your tank will do.
If you want to move your clam around, put him on the sand or a small rock, then you can move him. If he attach to a large reef structure, then you can't move him unless you cut him loose.

these are beautiful! what type of clams are they?

 

[minus9]

these are beautiful! what type of clams are they?

3 croceas and 1 maxima.

 

[moz71]

After reading this thread decided to move my desera clam into an oyster shell I have been saving to do this. I was so tired of always straightening up the clam since it seems either my conch or sand sleeping wrasses keeping knocking on its side. Worked well but I still needed to add a little of reef putty to make more of wings on the clam shell to make it always stand straighter up

 

[minus9]

After reading this thread decided to move my desera clam into an oyster shell I have been saving to do this. I was so tired of always straightening up the clam since it seems either my conch or sand sleeping wrasses keeping knocking on its side. Worked well but I still needed to add a little of reef putty to make more of wings on the clam shell to make it always stand straighter up

Once it gets to a certain size, they no longer use threads to keep them in place and will just just their weight. Gigas, squamosa and derasa are the big ones, along with hippopus which all use their weight to keep themselves in place. Also, they have the ability to right themselves, so don’t worry too much about straightening them. Looks good, btw!