Signs of not enough light.

Marksreef · Jan 2, 2019

Ive been playing around with new LED lighting and may not get enough for my Derasa clam which is front bottom of tank.
What are some signs to look for that it isn't getting enough light, besides closed up and dead

RobZilla04 · Jan 2, 2019

As a general rule of thumb, "playing" with the LED lights is a no-no. Set them and don't adjust for a period of time (week or two) before making more adjustments. Color spectrum and intensity changes can stress clams as well as the coral population. Best thing you can do now is take a picture (under the most light of your cycle) for reference and compare as time goes on. Color changes, particularly paling, would be the first sign I would look for. Remaining closed could be signs of problems beyond just the lighting.

reef lover · Jan 2, 2019

The mantle will.stretch way out and upper to try to get more....

Marksreef · Jan 2, 2019

This clam has always stretched out wide open even under Halides and must of been getting enough light as it grew 4 times it’s size in a relatively short period of time.
It’s still wide open as usual. No change there.
Thanks.

jda · Jan 2, 2019

They will be FULLY open and look like they are trying to stretch way out to where the mouth looks like it wants to rip - this is called Gaping. There is a large difference between just being open wide and wanting to rip the mantle and incurrent siphon by stretching out even more.

The clam in the post above does not look like it is gaping to me.

If a clam closes up, then this is not a light thing to me... even starving clams will stay open as much as possible to try and get light.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 2, 2019

When I got my Derasa , it was actually quite brown.(this the discount) I know that lfs did not have enough light.

It colored up like any coral.

Marksreef · Jan 2, 2019

Thanks everyone.
I know he is fine now but as I ramp up slow I’d just like to know what to look for. It’s the furtherst from the light in the tank.
I’ve ramped up this led but may have to do it again as I don’t like it and might try another Brand LED.

jda · Jan 2, 2019

Any chance that you could get a light meter and check levels before and after?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 2, 2019

I bench tested my B.B. with a lux meter dry and off the tank to see the approx intensity at the bottom of the tank.
My est gave me 150-200 par , actual with the seney was 150-180.

Marksreef · Jan 2, 2019

I wish I had a light meter. That right there would take out a lot of guesswork.
If I buy a new light I most likely will hunt down one and borrow one

RobZilla04 · Jan 3, 2019

Marksreef said:
I wish I had a light meter. That right there would take out a lot of guesswork.
If I buy a new light I most likely will hunt down one and borrow one

BRS is renting them now.

DSC reef · Jan 7, 2019

Keep an eye out for generalized bleaching/loss of or dull color on the mantle.

Waynerock · Jan 7, 2019

Not to hijack the thread but since we are talking about it how does mine look? Have not had one in about 14 years and then they lasted only a year or so. Running AB+ but being a derasa it’s in the sand

DSC reef · Jan 7, 2019

Looks like it has a slight bleaching but give it time and keep an eye out for new shell growth.

GrimReefer51 · Jun 20, 2024

This maxima is sitting in 170 par. Not sure if its happy and out or stretching for more light. Its been in my tank for 3 weeks now with no sign of color loss. What do you guys think? Is it happy?

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jun 20, 2024

GrimReefer51 said:
This maxima is sitting in 170 par. Not sure if it’s happy and out or stretching for more light. It’s been in my tank for 3 weeks now with no sign of color loss. What do you guys think? Is it happy?

Have a look at the clam shell, you should see white growth at the top of the shell under the mantle. A clam grows its whole life until it starts dying.

It takes a few months for a clam to die of light starvation. A maxima should be in 300+ par IMO, but people have reported growing them in 200 par.

Just keep an eye for that white line of growth. If algae start’s growing on that white line then it’s in trouble.

OrionN · Jun 21, 2024

GrimReefer51 said:
This maxima is sitting in 170 par. Not sure if its happy and out or stretching for more light. Its been in my tank for 3 weeks now with no sign of color loss. What do you guys think? Is it happy?

If it is growing then it is happily. Otherwise more light.

GrimReefer51 · Jun 23, 2024

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
Have a look at the clam shell, you should see white growth at the top of the shell under the mantle. A clam grows its whole life until it starts dying.

It takes a few months for a clam to die of light starvation. A maxima should be in 300+ par IMO, but people have reported growing them in 200 par.

Just keep an eye for that white line of growth. If algae start’s growing on that white line then it’s in trouble.

I appreciate the thoughtful response, I figured it would take months like you said for the clam to die due to low light so I want to make sure its in the right par.

I can't see any significant white growth under the mantle but then again it never retracts entirely so that I can get a good look. Is this what you mean?

OrionN · Jun 23, 2024

GrimReefer51 said:
I appreciate the thoughtful response, I figured it would take months like you said for the clam to die due to low light so I want to make sure its in the right par.

I can't see any significant white growth under the mantle but then again it never retracts entirely so that I can get a good look. Is this what you mean?

You can use something to cause the clam to retract its mantle without injure it. This is the best way to see the shell edge.