New to this and need help

[jtl]

I would like to get a clam. Our tank is established (1.5 years) and is mixed reef. The params are all good. Volume is 100g net including the sump and subtracting the live rock. Led lighting is sufficient to raise sps and lps so I assume it would be ok for a clam. Anyway having said all of that I would really like a recommendation of which type I looked at pics online and the Maxima looks nice as does the Crocea, even the Derasa can be pretty but not as fond of the Squamosa. Which is easiest to keep and what other tips can you give me.

 

[webmanny]

If you have the room and the budget, I would get a Derasa and a Ultra Maxima. For best success and for the look in your tank size, try to go with something above 3 1/2". This means they are established and stronger than baby ones. For placement, start at the bottom and do not move them, unless they seem angry.


Above ALL... Make sure none of your fish eats them. I had a Flame Angelfish that had a very expensive dinner on my dime.

One last recommendation. I know this is not recommended by anyone else, but you will see my logic in a few. Order your first clam online from someone that has a "arrive alive and stay alive" guarantee. For example, LiveAquaria.com has a 14 day guarantee and they will give you a credit or refund inside those 2 weeks without too many questions. This lowers your risk and reduces the impact on your budget.

 

[jtl]

Thanks. I will only be getting one to start and space is a little bit of an issue. I thought I read that LA has horrible clams and they don't last long. It was in the section of R2R but I don't know where. Fish wise we have a clown (lost its mate a while back), an anthias, a firefish and a golden midas blenny. They don't pick on any of our corals but who knows with a clam. We also have a couple of hermits and a blood shrimp who stays in his end of the tank. There is also a serpent star which I rarely see and the normal snails and bristle worms.

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks. I will only be getting one to start and space is a little bit of an issue. I thought I read that LA has horrible clams and they don't last long. It was in the section of R2R but I don't know where. Fish wise we have a clown (lost its mate a while back), an anthias, a firefish and a golden midas blenny. They don't pick on any of our corals but who knows with a clam. We also have a couple of hermits and a blood shrimp who stays in his end of the tank. There is also a serpent star which I rarely see and the normal snails and bristle worms.

I have an ORA aquacultured maxima. He’s doing great and was very cheap. I would recommend that over dropping hundreds on some big clam that’s just going to get bigger and bigger.

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

If you have the room and the budget, I would get a Derasa and a Ultra Maxima. For best success and for the look in your tank size, try to go with something above 3 1/2". This means they are established and stronger than baby ones. For placement, start at the bottom and do not move them, unless they seem angry.


Above ALL... Make sure none of your fish eats them. I had a Flame Angelfish that had a very expensive dinner on my dime.

One last recommendation. I know this is not recommended by anyone else, but you will see my logic in a few. Order your first clam online from someone that has a "arrive alive and stay alive" guarantee. For example, LiveAquaria.com has a 14 day guarantee and they will give you a credit or refund inside those 2 weeks without too many questions. This lowers your risk and reduces the impact on your budget.

there was a thread not too long ago that was updated that almost all clams from live aquaria died within about 1-2 months. you can search for it if youd like

 

[jtl]

there was a thread not too long ago that was updated that almost all clams from live aquaria died within about 1-2 months. you can search for it if youd like

I saw it. Looks like LA isn't even selling clams right now.

 

[jtl]

I have an ORA aquacultured maxima. He’s doing great and was very cheap. I would recommend that over dropping hundreds on some big clam that’s just going to get bigger and bigger.

Where did you get it?

 

[Hemmdog]

Where did you get it?

LFS for $50 ultra blue,purple and gold

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I wouldn't suggest going with live aquaria. Though they have a guarantee, it's not worth it when so many have lost clams through them. It's better to get a healthy clam from the start. I would try Pacific East Aquaculture, Pieces of the ocean, or Austin aqua farms.

 

[BestMomEver]

Historically, I’ve had difficulty keeping clams alive so I was hesitant to get another. A few months back, I saw a little max that I HAD to have so I brought it home. I had done a little reading and came upon some info I never knew before. That is, that max clams are rock dwellers not sand bed dwellers. I put mine in half of a large oyster/scallop shell, let it attach, then epoxied the shell where I want it to go. Worked like a charm and now he’s .... well.... happy as a clam!

 

[DSC reef]

@jtl if this is your first clam then I'd recommend a derasa. I would avoid live aquaria at all costs, there are many very experienced clam keepers that will agree or have posted about their horrible clams and even worse "gaurantee". Many fish can nip at your clam, even tangs. They produce a mucous that can be irresistible to many fish, not just dwarf angel fish. Any questions you have please feel free to ask.

 

[jtl]

@jtl if this is your first clam then I'd recommend a derasa. I would avoid live aquaria at all costs, there are many very experienced clam keepers that will agree or have posted about their horrible clams and even worse "gaurantee". Many fish can nip at your clam, even tangs. They produce a mucous that can be irresistible to many fish, not just dwarf angel fish. Any questions you have please feel free to ask.

Why not crocea or maxima? My wife who is the reefkeeeper does not like browns and yellow colors, blues reign in this adobe

 

[DSC reef]

That's just my recommendation when buying a first clam and I saw you said you liked derasa. Crocea are the most light hungry then maxima. If you like blues then those 2 have really nice mantles. There are very nice blue squamosa too.

 

[jtl]

What are the most easy to locate? I probably have 125 par at the sandbed with my light settings.

 

[DSC reef]

Derasa can be had for pretty cheap and easy to find with some interesting mantles. Very hardy and more forgiving. Crocea and maxima can be difficult and I never considered keeping maximas successful until we hit the 2 year mark with steady growth. That's some low par on the sand bed so a derasa is probably the best bet for low par.

 

[jtl]

Little heavy on the blues in this pic but photography is not my best skill.

 

[jtl]

Derasa can be had for pretty cheap and easy to find with some interesting mantles. Very hardy and more forgiving. Crocea and maxima can be difficult and I never considered keeping maximas successful until we hit the 2 year mark with steady growth. That's some low par on the sand bed so a derasa is probably the best bet for low par.

Par is the problem with a mixed tank. Sps does very well at 250+ but lps likes 125 so the challenge is to find a happy spot. Now we are trying to add another component to the equation. I am only running my lights at 50% so I have a lot of room to move up.

 

[DSC reef]

You could always try a derasa on the bottom then after some time try a crocea and place it up higher on the rock work once attached. Nice tank! I think you'll be just fine either way. Getting a healthy clam is part of the equation as well. If you get time, look up James Fatheree. Hes got some great information on tridacna.

 

[jtl]

You could always try a derasa on the bottom then after some time try a crocea and place it up higher on the rock work once attached. Nice tank! I think you'll be just fine either way. Getting a healthy clam is part of the equation as well. If you get time, look up James Fatheree. Hes got some great information on tridacna.

Thanks for the compliment. I wish I could capture a better pic but I can't. As I add more sps I am inclined to move up the par but it will never be more than 150 at the sand bed. We started in this hobby in 1985 when we got married and have been in it off and on for all this time. I think your suggestion to first find a good sized, healthy clam is the place to start. I really want to get one locally so I can see it so patience is the key and not my strong suit.

 

[DSC reef]

I understand! Any time my wife and I would walk into a store and there would be clams for sale, we would have to talk eachother out of buying them. It's my favorite reefing animal. If you get to pick out your clam, look for new shell growth on the upper margin of the shell. It's a great indicator of a healthy clam. Then look for signs of pinched mantle, good reaction to shadows and pyramid snails under neath. Once you get the clam, post pics so we can drool over them