Clam

[Kaden Obrien]

what is wrong with my clam? He has been in the tank 6 day and has looked good until today

 

[Gonebad395]

Can you get a few better pictures?

 

[Hemmdog]

Your tank has cyano the clam is just caked in it. What is your phos and nitrate at ?!

 

[Kaden Obrien]

Your tank has cyano the clam is just caked in it. What is your phos and nitrate at ?!

Nitrate is at 1-2 ppm and phosphate is at .25

 

[Kaden Obrien]

Nitrate is at 1-2 ppm and phosphate is at .25

He is still reacting to light so I think that’s a good sign

 

[Hemmdog]

Nitrate is at 1-2 ppm and phosphate is at .25

That .25 is pretty high. I’d do a big water change, start running GFO if that’s a constant number for your tank, make sure your using rodi, and raise the clam up. They like light. Also if you have a clean unused toothbrush, like the free ones the dentist gives you, scrub his little shell so the cyano doesent spread on him.

 

[Kaden Obrien]

Ok thanks. The water change is due tomorrow so I’ll get that done. I’ll have to get some gfo. Can I it it in a media basket?

 

[Kaden Obrien]

here’s a better picture

 

[Hemmdog]

Ok thanks. The water change is due tomorrow so I’ll get that done. I’ll have to get some gfo. Can I it it in a media basket?

Yea If it’s in a bag toss it in your media basket on the bottom shelf.

Looks better already maybe it was just a bad pic lol.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I'm sorry but your clam doesn't look like it's going to make it. I don't see any new shell growth which is a way to tell the health of the clam. It also looks like it is gaping. My husband is much better at telling what is going on so I will tag him but it is almost 3am here so it will be a few hours before he responds. Sorry about your clam.
@DSC reef

 

[Kaden Obrien]

I'm sorry but your clam doesn't look like it's going to make it. I don't see any new shell growth which is a way to tell the health of the clam. It also looks like it is gaping. My husband is much better at telling what is going on so I will tag him but it is almost 3am here so it will be a few hours before he responds. Sorry about your clam.
@DSC reef

Thanks he has only been in the tank 6 days so idk how u would tell new shell growth. Does it look different?

 

[Hemmdog]

Lol yours has newer shell growth than mine and I’ve had it for a year and a half... lol. Yours will survive, don’t worry. Do your big water change tomorrow and give it more light and some flow.

 

[Kaden Obrien]

Lol yours has newer shell growth than mine and I’ve had it for a year and a half... lol. Yours will survive, don’t worry. Do your big water change tomorrow and give it more light and some flow.

How big of a water change should I do? 50%?

 

[Hemmdog]

How big of a water change should I do? 50%?

How many gals is your tank

 

[Kaden Obrien]

How many gals is your tank

29

 

[Kaden Obrien]

How many gals is your tank

Holds about 20 after rock and sand

 

[Hemmdog]

Holds about 20 after rock and sand

Yea do a 10 gal change. Then another 10 on Thursday. That should get your phos back to a safe level.

 

[Kaden Obrien]

Yea do a 10 gal change. Then another 10 on Thursday. That should get your phos back to a safe level.

Ok thanks

 

[DSC reef]

Sorry to say, gaping has set in. New shell growth will very white growth on the upper margin of the shell. The clam was most likely in bad shape before you bought it. You can do a water change if you like but it wont make a difference in the clam. I would advise against large water changes and FWIW, clams can absorb ammonia and phosphorus through their mantle so your phosphate is not the issue. A maxima in that small of a tank will be a challenge due to the clams needs and constant parameter fluctuations.

 

[DSC reef]

That .25 is pretty high. I’d do a big water change, start running GFO if that’s a constant number for your tank, make sure your using rodi, and raise the clam up. They like light. Also if you have a clean unused toothbrush, like the free ones the dentist gives you, scrub his little shell so the cyano doesent spread on him.

I have to kindly disagree. Clams react poorly to GFO, that amount of phosphate wont hurt the clam and the tank is small enough to where the clam can be left on the bottom. A large water change will do more harm than good if the clam was even able to survive.