New Clam help and tips apperchiated.

[Jace]

Well unfortounly I havent done m research for once but im gona start soon... My LFS is getting some New stuff in on thursday Im geting a Flame Angel.. Well sense I brought up the subject Clams. The LFS owner said.. How about a free Clam.. *Because the owner is gonna have back surgeury and I offerd to come in and work for him*... So he brought me too the computer and showed me I picked out a nice Clam. And he says its yours. Now i forgot what kind it is.. But its 2 Inches.. My Lighting consits of 4 T5's. and 2 PC's. So i have pretty good lights.. I also have a Sponge So i have been feeding Phyto. Any tips please?? Ill get you the name of the clam when i pick it up

[Jace]

bump :P...

[CarmieJo]

Hi Jace,

That is great that you offered to help with the LFS! I dont' have any clams so I can't give you much advice about them. I do believe that people feed small ones outside of the tank. I think that perhaps this is to increase the density of the phyto and make it more easily available to them.

Flame angels are beautiful but may not be entirely reef safe. Some are OK and others nip at corals. Did you ever get a QT set up?

[rayme07]

Hey jace I don't know much about clams ether but I found some links for you maybe they might help.

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Online Field Guide - Giant clam

Saltwater Aquaria Magazine: Giant Clams Care

[Jace]

Thanks Ray. Carmie I am Aware that Most Flames are reef safe but some arent. I try to overfeed to prevent that from happening...And No unforntunally I dont have a QT but I am thinking about getting a QT box inside of the tank.

[rayme07]

No problem jace. Cant wait to see both the clam and the flame.

[Jace]

I kno im excited just gota find my camera back to subject any more Info?? on clams

[CarmieJo]

Jace a QT box would protect a new fish from being picked on by current residents. But unfortunately, it won't really help protect your other inhabitants from parasites or disease.

[Joyride]

I've got a crocea clam in my tank that's doing great. I feed phyto at least every other day and turn off my sump when feeding so not too much of the phyto gets sucked out of the DT.

So far, it's been a pretty easy keeper. My only challenge was that the first one I got was distressed and go eaten by a snail -- all bad.

Good luck,
-Chris

[suep]

How big is your tank?

Clams need a lot of light, especially Croceas. They _can_ live under T5s and even, rarely, in special circumstances, PCs, but metal halides or LEDs are optimum. Clams suck up a LOT of calcium and KH, you'll need to test often and dose as needed. Clams need really stable conditions, so keep a constant eye on your water conditions. The best evidence out there is that clams don't feed on phyto in our aquariums. It's possible that very tiny clams need some phyto but we don't see that size for sale. Commercially available clams rely on light.

I really suggest this link for the best clam advice I've found on the web. I strongly suggest any clam keepers do a lot of research here. In addition, I have James Featheree's book and it is excellent!!

Reef Aquarium Forum • Index page

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Clams-Aquarium-James-Fatherree/dp/0978619404/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225258095&sr= 8-1]Amazon.com: Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium: James W. Fatherree: Books[/ame]


I'm not an expert on clams, but I've done a bunch of research, and I've kept two Croceas happy and growing for almost a year. (Started in a 10 gallon, moved to a 20 last spring.)