Is my clam healthy?

[zie2695]

So I've had this Maxima for about a month now and it never seems to Extend its mantel like I see other clams and I was wondering if this guy was healthy or experiencing symptoms of pinched mantle and I should move to a freshwater dip?

 

[Diesel]

What kind of light you have it under?

 

[zie2695]

What kind of light you have it under?

2x 180 watt maxspect razors, I have haddoni and other high par demand corals with no issues.

 

[ZoWhat]

Get a Magnesium test #.....Clams need a solid 1500ppm. If ur at 1200 or less the clam will suffer

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Any dwarf Angel's in the tank? Potential nippers?


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[zie2695]

Get a Magnesium test #.....Clams need a solid 1500ppm. If ur at 1200 or less the clam will suffer

--------------------------

Any dwarf Angel's in the tank? Potential nippers?


.

I usually keep my mag at 1380, I'll bring it up. Thanks for the advice

 

[zie2695]

Maybe it would help if I throw some background up about my system. I run a double display system on a shared refugium for a total of about 210 gallons. My nitrates and phosphates are near undetectable almost all the time due to the refugium and nopox. My elements are extremely stable because I run a calcium reactor. Calcium is kept at 420 alkalinity is kept at 1380 and alkalinity is kept at 9. I regularly dose red sea coral colors Trace elements based on calcium consumption as directed by the manufacturer. My system is approximately two and a half years old and I Stray away from water changes for the most part. The only time water changes are performed are in the event of some sort of an emergency such as my most recent 13 hour power outage.

 

[hart24601]

I sure wouldn't do a FW dip. Any white shell growth? Not all clams extend the same amount. I wouldn't say it looks bad.

 

[zie2695]

Get a Magnesium test #.....Clams need a solid 1500ppm. If ur at 1200 or less the clam will suffer

--------------------------

Any dwarf Angel's in the tank? Potential nippers?


.

No angels

 

[Diesel]

Never heard of the Mag trick but they are calcium suckers for life

 

[zie2695]

I sure wouldn't do a FW dip. Any white shell growth? Not all clams extend the same amount. I wouldn't say it looks bad.

Yeah those were my thoughts exactly, I wasn't quite sure if it's fully extending or not. In my opinion it looks healthy and yes I do see some new growth

 

[falconut]

Is it a small clam (2" or less), that's kind of how extended the mantles usually look to me on them. Bigger ones really open up.

I had pinched mantle on a squamosa & it had really pinched mantles that a few FW dips fixed. But yours doesn't look pinched like mine did.

Has it been like this from the beginning or has it started to open up less?

 

[zie2695]

Is it a small clam (2" or less), that's kind of how extended the mantles usually look to me on them. Bigger ones really open up.

I had pinched mantle on a squamosa & it had really pinched mantles that a few FW dips fixed. But yours doesn't look pinched like mine did.

Has it been like this from the beginning or has it started to open up less?

This is about a 5.5" clam and actually it's been getting better. When I first got it it wasn't this extended. It extended a lot more when I saw it at the pet store but from the things that I have read it could take up to 6 weeks to fully acclimate to a new system. The first two pictures are from when I got it in the last picture was today please ignore the algae on the glass in the one picture, I can't get my algae scraper down there LOL

 

[hart24601]

Yeah those were my thoughts exactly, I wasn't quite sure if it's fully extending or not. In my opinion it looks healthy and yes I do see some new growth

If you see growth don't change a thing!

if it's improving than double down on not messing with anything!

 

[Wrasse-cal]

Get a Magnesium test #.....Clams need a solid 1500ppm. If ur at 1200 or less the clam will suffer.


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Not doubting you, but I haven’t heard this. Isn’t natural sea water about 1280 ppm?Where’s this info about 1500 ppm coming from?

 

[reefrf]

Not doubting you, but I haven’t heard this. Isn’t natural sea water about 1280 ppm?Where’s this info about 1500 ppm coming from?

@skimjim Yes, I’m interested in knowing as well. Is there proof behind this or anecdotal?

 

[SeaNelson]

Is the foot of the clam attaching itself to a surface area? That would indicate it is strong and healthy. They need a spot with good lighting. Flow for filter feeding is a bonus.

 

[DSC reef]

Get a Magnesium test #.....Clams need a solid 1500ppm. If ur at 1200 or less the clam will suffer

--------------------------

Any dwarf Angel's in the tank? Potential nippers?


.

Any info to base this statement on?

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldn't change your magnesium or make any adjustments as mentioned above. The clam looks better than it did so its improving.

 

[Oshanickreef]

Calcium swings killed mine

 

[zie2695]

Is the foot of the clam attaching itself to a surface area? That would indicate it is strong and healthy. They need a spot with good lighting. Flow for filter feeding is a bonus.

No the foot is not attaching to anything