SPS and clam issues

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

What does "not doing well" mean exactly?

Do you feed Phyto?
Low nitrates/good water conditions will not wack a clam, but you need to feed them.

 

[Anonymous]

You don't really need to feed clams once they're more than a few inches in length. What they need is decent lighting.

How drastically did you reduce the nitrates? the clams indeed do process some of the nitrates from your tank, so if you did a 100% water change and completely cleaned them up, then the clams will suffer if they're used to high nitrates.

how long have they 'not been doing well'?

oh, and btw, nice avitar. Not really though. (I'm a devils fan, even though I'm from western PA)

b

 

[Anonymous]

You don't really need to feed clams once they're more than a few inches in length. What they need is decent lighting.

Controversial statement that.

They filter feed all of their lives, and the filter feeding apparatus is there for a reason. Last time I checked current scientific articles on the subject concur with this, but it's been a while since I've looked for a current one.

For this reason I've always fed my clams regardless of size, and they've always thrived.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

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[Unarce]

Do you have a pic of the clams? It could help determine if we can rule out pinched mantle.

It's true that supplemental feedings aren't necessary, even for babies, but clams do continually feed on ammonia and/or nitrate throughout their lives. If somehow one (in your case, nitrate) were to decrease, a clam could switch over to absorbing more ammonia, and vice versa.

Any sudden changes, like a large water change, placement, lighting, temperature, etc., could weaken a clam, making them more susceptible to infection/disease. If you're tank's too sterile, it could also have the same effect.

Unfortunately, there are many infections unknown to hobbyists that contribute to clam deaths. Most are unexplained.

Are you also having issues with your SPS?

 

[Anonymous]

At MACNA one of the speakers said all they need is light after a certain size.

That was James Fatherree

and i said you don't really need to feed the clams. not that they wouldn't benefit from the extra goodies. However, gone are the days of target feeding my maximas.

b

 

[Anonymous]

At MACNA one of the speakers said all they need is light after a certain size. One of my croccea died. My maximas are ok but dont have the extention they one had

I have 3 250w 10k

Let me put this another way.
Aside from other mechanisms present, Tridacnid clams are filter feeders their entire lives, period. This is not open for debate.

http://web.archive.org/web/200307272321 ... iofilt.htm

Whether or not they need or should in all cases to be directly fed in the aquarium is open for discussion. Myself, I've always fed Phyto, and I've been very successful at keeping all Tridacnid species long term. In the 20 or so that I've had, I've lost 2 very small ones, that's it. I've also kept a 7 T. maxima (starting at 5") healthy and growing long term under 32w PC's in a 12 gallon nano by feeding, so what does that tell you?

Would I have just as much success without feeding? Perhaps, but I know better than to change what isn't broken. I can tell you that I have serious doubts as to the duplicating my success with the maxima mentioned above without feeding. I also have doubts that I would experience the same growth rate, and the link I posted above seems to align with this stance.

Just like with corals, the feeding mechanisms are there for a reason, if they did not need them, they wouldn't be present.

You may not be adding phyto to your tank, but be assured the clams are filter feeding. So, with this information, why wouldn't you feed?

Bottom line, do what works for you.
With me it's more a question of husbandry philosophy that I apply across the board to all critters in my care.

 

[mr_X]

i haven't fed my clams. i bought them at about 2.5 inches and they are about 3.5 inches now. i guess my water is dirty enough :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Post removed by User

 

[mr_X]

umm..not GOD, but i do have more posts than you whether or not any of them were informative..is another question
and sorry, your stuck with me till the lay-off is over :wink:

i know..it wasn't directed at me....

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Jim

Calm down!!!!!

You know, people like you are the reason I dont post more. I tend to believe a man who has his own book and was asked to speak at MACNA.

Everytime I see a post like yours it really makes me rethink the hobby but thankfully there are more out there that will help, rather than just blab along....

Ive always been helpful to everyone, I really like the idea of an open forum, but some of you really need to get off the computer and do some real work, not hover around on the forums and tout that IM GOD and have more posts than you attitude.

I posted nothing that warrants such an inane and over the edge post from you or anyone else. Blab along? Are you kidding? You think MY post is the problem here?

I simply posted my position on Tridacnid feeding, and why. I didn't insult anyone, I didn't put anyone down, I didn't say anything inflammatory or arrogant, and I didn't even call anyone wrong. I didn't say anything that doesn't come from my 23 years of doing this.


Why don't you dissect my post line by line and tell me where the problems are.

Edit:
Partial Milz - dealt with in PM. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Post removed by user

 

[Anonymous]

And? My point is that I'm not some Yahoo who's been doing this for a year talking out of my rear. I was trying to keep this off of the board...for your sake.
Anything else?

FWIW, I think the admins frown upon posting PM''s on the board. :wink:

I'm waiting for you to dissect my post and tell me how I've offended you so.

 

[Len]

Hiya, trimixdiver,

As with any public forum for ideas, read all the input and decide for yourself which to believe. FWIW, I don't think Jim was rude or belittling in any way. He may have a strong position on the matter, but from what I read, he was respectful and straightforward with his presentation of his opinion. I recognize the possibility some people may read it is blunt or arrogant. Alas, a lot of intentions and emotions are lost (or misread) in the written word.

 

[S!mon]

Anything posted by Jim or Len can be taken to the bank (except for Sump postings ). I've been hanging around here for 4 years now and these two have helped more than anyone else. Thanks guys!