Can I keep mussels in a fish tank long-term?

[Reeftanker3295]

I'm building a native saltwater tank and I was going to add some clusters of mussels just for the vast majority of life that lives on them. I'm worried that if I leave the mussels in the tank they will slowly starve, in which case I would just take them out of the tank after a few days once all the invertebrates crawl off. Are there any foods that I can buy to feed the mussels and other filter feeders with and dose easily? Along with the mussels will probably come other filter feeders like barnacles and sponges as well, and it would be great if I could avoid as much die off as possible.
The tank will be stocked and there will be somewhat of a large bioload, I'm not sure if that would help keep the filter feeders alive.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Oyster feast, phyto feast are good choices.

 

[rookie07]

Ive had a few mussels and other shell type things live for years in my 34 gl tank with no feeding of phyto.

 

[edd]

their filter feeders, your bio load will feed them and they will clean your water.
by adding food for them you'll increase your bio load.

 

[BrooklynReefer]

If you are going to add local mussels, yes you will need to feed phytoplankton, or try to have a "green water" tank (i.e., you can buy a live culture of phyto and grow it in a side tank). Mytilus are big eaters and if you are going to try to keep them the smaller the mussels the better, and start with a small amount first. If your interested in the local benthic biota you can also find many sessile organisms on rocks, old shell, pier pilings, etc. Barnacles will also need phyto.

 

[jerl77]

I have little neck clams in my lagoon
When I get hungry crack one open

 

[jerl77]

 

[Reeftanker3295]

Would a substantial weekly feeding of phytofeast be enough to feed these animals? I don't want a ton here, I'm talking maybe 15-20 mussels in a 90 gallon tank with a 55 sump. I would turn the return pump off during feeding. I've had a few in a 30 gallon tank for over a week now and they seem to be doing well. I plan on ordering some phyto tonight though.