anyone keeping clams under vho?
- Thread starter John 3:16
- Start date
Justin,
All Tridacnids will do fine under VHOs or PC lighting. I'm not sure where the claim "You must have halides to husband clams" came from, but it is wholly unfounded. I've sucessfully kept clams for years under VHOs and PC's in the past; these clams exhibited equal growth rates, mantle extension, coloration, etc. In fact, 10+ years ago, I used to keep clams under NO lighting (when halides and VHOs were prohibitively expensive, PCs nonexistent). I definately don't recommend keeping Tridacnids under NOs unless the tank is extremely shallow (<12"). However, VHOs will provide your clam with the light it needs. Just be sure to replace your bulbs regularly. I've found VHOs lose significant intensity after ~3000 hours (~8 months) of usage.
All Tridacnids will do fine under VHOs or PC lighting. I'm not sure where the claim "You must have halides to husband clams" came from, but it is wholly unfounded. I've sucessfully kept clams for years under VHOs and PC's in the past; these clams exhibited equal growth rates, mantle extension, coloration, etc. In fact, 10+ years ago, I used to keep clams under NO lighting (when halides and VHOs were prohibitively expensive, PCs nonexistent). I definately don't recommend keeping Tridacnids under NOs unless the tank is extremely shallow (<12"). However, VHOs will provide your clam with the light it needs. Just be sure to replace your bulbs regularly. I've found VHOs lose significant intensity after ~3000 hours (~8 months) of usage.
To answer the second part of your question:
Yes, certain Tridacna species are more accustomed to higher light intensities then others. As a general rule, T.maxima and T.crocea require the most light. T.deresa, T.squamosa, and T.gigas are more forgiving in terms of light intensity.
Yes, certain Tridacna species are more accustomed to higher light intensities then others. As a general rule, T.maxima and T.crocea require the most light. T.deresa, T.squamosa, and T.gigas are more forgiving in terms of light intensity.
Not really an answer to your question but I'm thinking of keeping and hopefully breeding clams in a clam only ? clam friendly tankmates tank. I have one 150 watt MH and two moonlight tubes, any ideas whether this will work? The 55 gallon is just live rock and calerpa at present.
I'd also concur that clams can be kept under VHOs and PCs. I have successfully kept t. maxima and t. derasa under PCs (2 x 96) in a 50 gallon.
I know the MH nazis will say you absolutely must have MH for the clams to "thrive", but my clams seem perfectly happy and are growing at a steady rate.
My suggestion would be to get the clam, position it where you want and keep an eye out for it. If, after a few days, the mantle has not fully expanded (assuming water parameters are O.K.), the move it up a little higher. This is not exactly rocket science.
I know the MH nazis will say you absolutely must have MH for the clams to "thrive", but my clams seem perfectly happy and are growing at a steady rate.
My suggestion would be to get the clam, position it where you want and keep an eye out for it. If, after a few days, the mantle has not fully expanded (assuming water parameters are O.K.), the move it up a little higher. This is not exactly rocket science.
Well said Leonard. If you need further proof of thriving clams under vho's just look at the European aquariums depicted in TRA v. 1 and Nilsen & Fossa's MCRA v.2. These german tanks were growing clams (huge ones)and sps under NO and vho bulbs in the late 80's and early 90's.
Mfisher,
Small clams can be kept but you must feed them. When they are that young feeding is more inportant then lighting not to say you don't need good light as you do.
When I feed my small one, I put them in a bowl and water from my display tank and put in some DTs and let them feed for about 30 minutes and the water will go clear and then back into the tank.
I have some great links on my seb site, so click on clams and you will find some link as one is from Knop.
Hope this helps
Barry
Small clams can be kept but you must feed them. When they are that young feeding is more inportant then lighting not to say you don't need good light as you do.
When I feed my small one, I put them in a bowl and water from my display tank and put in some DTs and let them feed for about 30 minutes and the water will go clear and then back into the tank.
I have some great links on my seb site, so click on clams and you will find some link as one is from Knop.
Hope this helps
Barry
Hi... I have a Deresa under the same lights you have (4x46.5" VHO).
Its been on the sand for about 2 years, and has grown from a small-ish 2-3" to a serious 6" heavy duty chunk.
I'm hesitant to try a Max under these lights... however the Deresa is very happy there, so I am too.
As to your question about feeding... yes they are filter feeders.. they also will take up Nitrates, and do a good job at both. Feeding cryopaste or DTs isnt a bad idea, though most will do fine without in an average tank.
[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: Steve Richardson ]</p>
Its been on the sand for about 2 years, and has grown from a small-ish 2-3" to a serious 6" heavy duty chunk.
I'm hesitant to try a Max under these lights... however the Deresa is very happy there, so I am too.
As to your question about feeding... yes they are filter feeders.. they also will take up Nitrates, and do a good job at both. Feeding cryopaste or DTs isnt a bad idea, though most will do fine without in an average tank.
[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: Steve Richardson ]</p>
Benjemon,
I think you were debating a technical issue with John 3:16. Clams will not export organic nutrients from the system, per se, but will de facto export nutrients from the water column (which, I believe, is what John 3:16 had intended to say). All living organisms need a source of nitrogen for tissue developement. Most get this source through the consumption of large or particulate foods. Clams, on the other hand, are very efficient at bioassimiliating nitrogen compounds (e.g. nitrate) directly from the water. In essence, although they don't technically export nutrients from the immediate environment, they do remove nutrients from the water by outcompeting other organisms for them.
FWIW, I've always had great luck with Tridacnids, small and large. I did not start administering phytoplankton until this year.
I think you were debating a technical issue with John 3:16. Clams will not export organic nutrients from the system, per se, but will de facto export nutrients from the water column (which, I believe, is what John 3:16 had intended to say). All living organisms need a source of nitrogen for tissue developement. Most get this source through the consumption of large or particulate foods. Clams, on the other hand, are very efficient at bioassimiliating nitrogen compounds (e.g. nitrate) directly from the water. In essence, although they don't technically export nutrients from the immediate environment, they do remove nutrients from the water by outcompeting other organisms for them.
FWIW, I've always had great luck with Tridacnids, small and large. I did not start administering phytoplankton until this year.
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
