To clam, or not to clam

[Davesgt]

Ok guys im dying to buy a clam but have very little knowledge on requirements to keep them. What I am wanting to do is purchase a smaller clam that I have found for a great deal to go into my nano aquarium until I get my larger tank together maybe 4-6 months away. The tank is a 10gallon nano with 72 watt compacts and 2I ecoxotic stunners. Is this possible?

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Do you have sps?

 

[Pkunk35]

I'd wait for the experts around here, but my first impression is no to a clam in such a small tank. I've seen this formula fail many more times than succeeds. Clams need super stable conditions that a larger tank can provide. I also wouldn't try a clam with PC lighting, this is from direct experience.

 

[zemuss]

Would SPS Bother the clam?

 

[solar]

I had pc lighting and a clam just fine in both a 12 gallon nano and a 50 gallon reef!

 

[Davesgt]

I have both sps and lps coral. That's no problem I can care for both easily

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I have both sps and lps coral. That's no problem I can care for both easily

In that case, you should be able to do well, I would get a larger clam, as the smaller ones are much harder to care for.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Would SPS Bother the clam?

No, I asked because they have similar care requirements.

 

[Davesgt]

This will only be its home for 5 months

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

This will only be its home for 5 months

Even still, 5 months in a less than pristine and stable environment, they can die. You would be best off with one that is at least a few inches long, nothing huge.

 

[Giancarlo]

If its 5 months away, why not wait? Patience is a virtue in this hobby. How long has the tank been running?

 

[josh4107]

My question is what kind of clam have you picked out. If its something like a derasa I'd say go for it. I kept one in a 12g nano for over a yr and it more than doubled in size during rhat time. You just have to watch your calcium levels and do frequent water changes as they suck up a lot of calcium. My only other question would be the lights because I'm not familiar with Eco stunners and pc lighting but if it works for sps currently then I'd say go for it.

 

[Davesgt]

Yes its a blue dress and its gorgeous. The tank receive weekly water changes and is on auto controlled as in calcium mag etc........ the tank is super stable to be a nano plus the tank it will move to is a 50 gal rimless which will be acros,montis,and scolys

 

[Shauno]

Agreed on the derasa it should be fine under your PC/LED combo. They grow fast, so you will want a larger tank in 4-6 months. I say go for it as derasa is an easy and forgiving clam to maintain.

 

[skinz78]

Yep you should be fine, just monitor the cal, alk, and mag closely.