lighting for a clam

magicbuddha19 · Apr 16, 2014

I currently have a marine orbit 48''-64'' led lighting system on my 72 bow front reef tank...if i have a spot around 3/4 of the way to the top of the tank, would I be able to put a clam there????

reeffirstaid · Apr 16, 2014

It's my opinion that clams are best kept in shallow tanks, with lots of light. They require a TON of light, depending on species. You may be able to swing a Derasa clam, but keeping a ultra colored maxima would be a challenge.

_sludgefactory · Apr 16, 2014

My crocea, been under metal halide in a 30 inch deep tank for 6 years or so. So I would say you're OK.

Edit: Maybe not, that's seems like a pretty low powered fixture.

mike007 · Apr 16, 2014

Clams do best on sandbed with strong lighting.

newlyreefd · Apr 17, 2014

Ok I'm a little confused. I was always told that Crocea and Maximas are rock dwelling clams and Derasa's and Squamosa's are sand dwelling. But everytime I see a pic of a max or crocea, they are in the sand bed. There has only been a few time where I saw a max or crocea dwelling in the rock. What gives?

mike007 said:
Clams do best on sandbed with strong lighting.

Mercurio · Apr 17, 2014

I have 2 Maximas on my rock very high in the tank. They seem to do better when they can attach to something. If you want to place them on the sandbed I would suggest putting a small piece of rock under the clam so it can attach.

newlyreefd · Apr 17, 2014

So all the pics of the clams in the sandbed I see are attached to something? I'm asking because I love clams and hope to acquire a clam or three once my tank is mature enough. Even the pic above has the clam in the sandbed. Are your clams attached to some rock dkerns?

_sludgefactory · Apr 17, 2014

No, just setting there. I've had them dig down and attach to the glass under the sand though.

newlyreefd · Apr 17, 2014

Oh ok. Thanks for the info. Beautiful clams BTW.

dkerns06 said:
No, just setting there. I've had them dig down and attach to the glass under the sand though.

slyforestfire · Apr 18, 2014

i run a current usa marine pro and a marineland double bright. both led. my maxima has its home halfway up, on a rock, in my 46 bowfront. had him for a lil over a month and is doing well. hasnt doubled in size but is certainly bigger now.

magicbuddha19 · Apr 18, 2014

do you think just the marine orbit from current-usa would hold be able to keep a clam?

_sludgefactory · Apr 18, 2014

I think it might be a little to under powered.

pecman347 · Apr 21, 2014

Mercurio said:
I have 2 Maximas on my rock very high in the tank. They seem to do better when they can attach to something. If you want to place them on the sandbed I would suggest putting a small piece of rock under the clam so it can attach.

IME I've seen the same. Just make sure that they like the spot they're in, or they'll keep falling/moving on you.

pecman347 · Apr 21, 2014

Ahhh... just looked up the fixture. DEFINITELY not enough light output on that to support a clam, unfortunately. That's 46W of power divided into 192 LEDs, so each LED is like a 1/4W chip... the light output wouldn't be strong enough to support a clam. I've tinkered with a lot of led's, and really the only success I've had is with the 3W chips and up, regardless of sheer number of chips on the fixture.