How soon can I add clam?

G_Lows · Mar 10, 2019

I’ve set up my new tank and my buddy is holding some Coral’s for me, including my rather large derasa clam. Tank has been up for a month and half now. cycle is complete and I have some fish and a few Coral’s in it. How soon can I add my clam? I know they can be finicky. Thanks in advance for any input.

ZoWhat · Mar 10, 2019

The two things I know about clams are:

1) it needs to be in the brightest, most PAR part of your tank

2) clams luuuuuuv Magnesium, so you'll prob have to dose it to keep it above 1400ppm

DSC reef · Mar 10, 2019

@Grant Lowry if your tank is holding steady with parameters I'd say your good to go. I've never seen or heard of a clam sucking your magnesium to a point of dosing so I would not worry about that. We've kept many clams over the years with one over 12" and never did I dose magnesium. Calcium and alkalinity will need to be monitored frequently. Your derasa is the lowest light needy of the tridacna so as long as you have sufficient light, you'll be ok. Also, don't shoot for zero nitrate and phosphate while keeping a tridacna.

G_Lows · Mar 10, 2019

on it. Thank you! I’ve had the clam for 4 years or so and never had any issues with it but I added it to an already mature tank when I got it. All my parameters are steady and at acceptable range! Thank you for the input @DSC reef