Would low alkalinity have killed my clams?

GoPitt88 · Aug 20, 2017

I have a 2 year old 55 gallon mixed reef tank, and I just recently checked my alkalinity for the first time in over a year. I now realize that I was being negligent, but I religiously do 10% weekly water changes, so that's my excuse. Anyway, I bought the Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro test kit and tested my alkalinity, and found it to be below 5.3 dKH. I then bought the Hanna alkalinity checker, and it read 4.0 dKH. Yikes!!! I've since been slowly raising my alkalinity using Sodium Bicarbonate, and once up to 9.0 dKH, I plan on adding Kalkwasser to my ATO water. That all being said, about 6 months ago, I twice tried maxima clams, and both died within a week of being in my tank.
They were both only about 2 to 2.5 inches big, so that's why I thought they both died, but now that I realize that my alkalinity was so low, could that have been the main problem? I have Kessil lights, and the rest of my parameters are perfect. I have 14 corals (a couple SPS, about 5 LPS, and some shrooms and leathers). Looks like I'm loosing about 0.5 or so dKH per day.

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 20, 2017

I don't believe it was the alkalinity.
Time was too short.
Any idea of your par?

And also keep in mind you don't just want to increase alk, you should increase cal and mag as well.

GoPitt88 · Aug 20, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I don't believe it was the alkalinity.
Time was too short.
Any idea of your par?

And also keep in mind you don't just want to increase alk, you should increase cal and mag as well.

Yeah.....with my alkalinity now up to 7.1 kKH (slowly raising it), my calcium was still at 500, and magnesium was 1500. I'll keep an eyes on both.....thanks

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 20, 2017

I would retest as well. Alk mag and cal should fall evenly.

DSC reef · Aug 20, 2017

Alk swings can definitely bring them to a quick end. I agree though, I'd get everything tested since those numbers are off.

mcarroll · Aug 21, 2017

Can you post a recent full set of test results? ca, alk, mg, no3, po4 and salinity?

Yes alk "could" do it, but I think I'm with @saltyfilmfolks .....an alk drop like this is not "sudden" so I'm not sure that's our issue.

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 21, 2017

I had my clam in an undosed tank for approximately a year.

I'd like to know how exactly alk changes would effect a clam please.

I also have quite a large collection of other bivalves , several I've had close to five years or more. So please explain the science behind this. And why it would kill a tracnid in a couple days.

DSC reef said:
Alk swings can definitely bring them to a quick end. I agree though, I'd get everything tested since those numbers are off.

mcarroll said:
Can you post a recent full set of test results? ca, alk, mg, no3, po4 and salinity?

Yes alk "could" do it, but I think I'm with @saltyfilmfolks .....an alk drop like this is not "sudden" so I'm not sure that's our issue.

GoPitt88 · Aug 21, 2017

mcarroll said:
Can you post a recent full set of test results? ca, alk, mg, no3, po4 and salinity?

Yes alk "could" do it, but I think I'm with @saltyfilmfolks .....an alk drop like this is not "sudden" so I'm not sure that's our issue.

Will do when I get home later. Thanks for replying [emoji846]

DSC reef · Aug 21, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I had my clam in an undosed tank for approximately a year.

I'd like to know how exactly alk changes would effect a clam please.

I also have quite a large collection of other bivalves , several I've had close to five years or more. So please explain the science behind this. And why it would kill a tracnid in a couple days.

In my experience the clams I've owned have been very sensitive to chemistry swings and were one of the first animals in the tank to show signs of something being off. No science behind it, just my experience. Not sure what the OP's alk was before but low alk I'm sure is ok as long as the number is stable. I was actually agreeing with you as far as the numbers go. Just giving my opinion from my experience

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 21, 2017

DSC reef said:
In my experience the clams I've owned have been very sensitive to chemistry swings and were one of the first animals in the tank to show signs of something being off. No science behind it, just my experience. Not sure what the OP's alk was before but low alk I'm sure is ok as long as the number is stable. I was actually agreeing with you as far as the numbers go. Just giving my opinion from my experience

No sweat. Just comparing experiences to learn more.
If all the near crashes in my tank the bivalves have shown little to no sign of distress. Odd isn't it.

DSC reef · Aug 21, 2017

Maybe it has something to do with species? I'm always looking to learn something new salty, one of the many things I love about this hobby my friend.

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 21, 2017

Same here. One thing I did always have was a lot of light. Right off the bat.
My squamosa was only an in or two when I got it.

GoPitt88 · Aug 21, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Same here. One thing I did always have was a lot of light. Right off the bat.
My squamosa was only an in or two when I got it.

I plan on trying one more time, and am thinking about trying a Squamosa. Do you have yours right on the sand? If not, what did you place him on?

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 21, 2017

GoPitt88 said:
I plan on trying one more time, and am thinking about trying a Squamosa. Do you have yours right on the sand? If not, what did you place him on?

Squamish are sand clams. Then they attach to a nearby rock.
I would look at your acclimation method. And the amount of light you have. Also double and triple check the clam is healthy best you can at the store. If it's been under poor light for a long time at the store it may already be in poor health.

GoPitt88 · Aug 21, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Squamish are sand clams. Then they attach to a nearby rock.
I would look at your acclimation method. And the amount of light you have. Also double and triple check the clam is healthy best you can at the store. If it's been under poor light for a long time at the store it may already be in poor health.

My first two attempts were from LiveAquaria Divers Den.

Z3speed4me · Aug 24, 2017

Yea a lot of people have had bad luck with clams from DD, myself included.
If I can keep some decent SPS, but not a clam... I don't think it's my tank

mcarroll · Aug 25, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Odd isn't it.

Not if your clam is well-fed!!

So many folks running "low nutrient" systems....so many starving critters.

DSC reef · Aug 25, 2017

Everything ordered from divers den including clams have done well for me. It's to easy to blame the source rather than the tank it's going in. ULNS, protozoans, parasitic snails, chemistry, all play roles in the clams health or demise. IMO, clams are one of the most beautiful animals in a reef so don't get discouraged.

Z3speed4me · Aug 25, 2017

Well it was slightly concerning that there is a thread on here dedicated to DD clams not doing well... even with matured systems and experienced reefers and clam enthusiasts.

If someone has 3-4 clams already, and their DD one died, but others are fine... there's really only one conclusion, no.

DSC reef · Aug 25, 2017

Z3speed4me said:
Well it was slightly concerning that there is a thread on here dedicated to DD clams not doing well... even with matured systems and experienced reefers and clam enthusiasts.

If someone has 3-4 clams already, and their DD one died, but others are fine... there's really only one conclusion, no.

Im sure other reliable sources have had clams die so I'm sorry, I can't agree with making a statement that divers den clams have a lower survival rate. You buy a clam under 3" and your risk is higher of losing that clam. ORA has a great reputation but every clam I've ever purchased has not survived past one year, 5 in total. I'm not gonna tell someone not to purchase there clams. It was my risk for buying small clams and I take responsibility for my errors in my tank. Clams are always risky but I believe all vendors have there losses.