Clams in nano reef ?

ahuaia · 09/13/2017, 11:55 PM

Hi guys so I have been toying with the idea of getting a clam in my tank for a few months now and was wondering what you guys think. I'm still fairly new to this Hobby and while I feel like I have learned a lot and can for the most part maintain a healthy nano reef I'm not very nolagabl when it comes to clams. When I got into the nano reef hobby I had no thoughts of getting a clam but after seeing a few would love the opportunity to house one in my tank. I will not get one for a while even if it's possible just because I want a more mature tank if I get one. My biggest concern is that it will be competing for nutreaints with my Corals. I currently have 5 coral and they all are doing well but I feel like a clam may put to much of a strain on my nutrients I do weekly water changes of about 30% currently. I only have a 10 gallon but I've done some scratch the surface research and some people seem to think it's possible with a few species. So my main concerns are as follows. Will it put to much of a strain on my nutrients? Could I fit one in a 10 gallon tank? Would a bear bottom tank affect the gills or feet of the clam? Thanks guys for you put also my flow is about medium and I have a light capable of sustaining SPS coral but I only run it at 40-50% due to what I have.

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luu78 · 09/14/2017, 04:14 AM

Hi, they're filter feeders and should help with nutrient export if anything. I got a tiny Maxima from LA.com a few months ago and it lives on the frag crate 10" below my LEDs. I never feed it and it has grown quite a bit. Needs strong lighting like SPS. Let them hinge on a pc of liverock for several days and relocate the rock/clam to its final spot and you should be good especially Crocea clam. You will know if it doesnt like the spot. For a good primer on Tridacnas, watch this video:

https://youtu.be/sg17WPmhmSU

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ssgss gogeta · 09/14/2017, 04:37 AM

I keep a crocea clam in a 15g no troubles. As mentioned above they are filter feeders. With most things in our home reefs stability plays an important part. Things extra to consider

Placement
- as far as not being irritated by corals
- flow (also syphon positioning with flow)
- light

Feet
- your bb will be fine, I would never purchase a clam who's foot was not firmly attached to a small rock or rubble or something. Also if you are bb consider a crocea clam which are more often found in rockwork.

Size
-I believe the crocea clam will be the smallest options as far as clams in maximum size which will suit a nano.
- anything smaller than 2-3 inches generally have a tough time adapting in home aquarium and often require specific feeding other than filter feeding.

Death
- they can take a long time to die generally so you may not even realize your clam is dying over time.

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ReefWreak · 09/14/2017, 08:01 AM

Excellent information in this thread on keeping clams. I've had 2 over the years, the first one, a derasa (supposed to be the easiest to keep), never settled in and only lasted 3 months or so. The second one, a maxima, has done really well until recently, where I think it was smothered by other corals, and I'm fairly certain it died a few weeks ago.

Some other great references on Clams, first a good website/article, and second, a great book that I keep as a shelf reference guide, that is also a great readthrough.

I would NOT recommend supplemental feeding. Have fishes, flow, and strong light, and the clam will do fine.

ahuaia · 09/14/2017, 11:14 AM

Ya I bought that book a while back but it got damaged in transit so I got a refund but never bought the book again. Also thanks for the video luu78 it was great.

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murphreef · 09/14/2017, 12:24 PM

Clams are awesome this is the last thing I need for my 25g nano.

Have had clams in all my previous tanks and they are awesome just keep clean water, bright light and good alk/ ca supply

homer1475 · 09/14/2017, 01:37 PM

I kept a sqamosa in my biocube for about 6 months until I upgraded to a larger tank.

Clams are fine in a nano, just be aware all will eventually outgrow the tank.

Xandernfs · 09/22/2017, 02:08 PM

I kept a crocea & a derasa in my 20 under a 150 HQI back in the day and it did great. It's manageable, but does require more intense light.

09/13/2017, 11:55 PM	#1
ahuaia Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 228	Clams in nano reef ? Hi guys so I have been toying with the idea of getting a clam in my tank for a few months now and was wondering what you guys think. I'm still fairly new to this Hobby and while I feel like I have learned a lot and can for the most part maintain a healthy nano reef I'm not very nolagabl when it comes to clams. When I got into the nano reef hobby I had no thoughts of getting a clam but after seeing a few would love the opportunity to house one in my tank. I will not get one for a while even if it's possible just because I want a more mature tank if I get one. My biggest concern is that it will be competing for nutreaints with my Corals. I currently have 5 coral and they all are doing well but I feel like a clam may put to much of a strain on my nutrients I do weekly water changes of about 30% currently. I only have a 10 gallon but I've done some scratch the surface research and some people seem to think it's possible with a few species. So my main concerns are as follows. Will it put to much of a strain on my nutrients? Could I fit one in a 10 gallon tank? Would a bear bottom tank affect the gills or feet of the clam? Thanks guys for you put also my flow is about medium and I have a light capable of sustaining SPS coral but I only run it at 40-50% due to what I have. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

09/14/2017, 12:24 PM	#6
murphreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: simi valley Posts: 3,208	Clams are awesome this is the last thing I need for my 25g nano. Have had clams in all my previous tanks and they are awesome just keep clean water, bright light and good alk/ ca supply __________________ Justin Current Tank Info: 25G cube (finally back in the hobby in a small way)

09/14/2017, 01:37 PM	#7
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I kept a sqamosa in my biocube for about 6 months until I upgraded to a larger tank. Clams are fine in a nano, just be aware all will eventually outgrow the tank. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/14/2017, 04:14 AM	#2
luu78 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 25	Hi, they're filter feeders and should help with nutrient export if anything. I got a tiny Maxima from LA.com a few months ago and it lives on the frag crate 10" below my LEDs. I never feed it and it has grown quite a bit. Needs strong lighting like SPS. Let them hinge on a pc of liverock for several days and relocate the rock/clam to its final spot and you should be good especially Crocea clam. You will know if it doesnt like the spot. For a good primer on Tridacnas, watch this video: https://youtu.be/sg17WPmhmSU Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/14/2017, 04:37 AM	#3
ssgss gogeta Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 251	I keep a crocea clam in a 15g no troubles. As mentioned above they are filter feeders. With most things in our home reefs stability plays an important part. Things extra to consider Placement - as far as not being irritated by corals - flow (also syphon positioning with flow) - light Feet - your bb will be fine, I would never purchase a clam who's foot was not firmly attached to a small rock or rubble or something. Also if you are bb consider a crocea clam which are more often found in rockwork. Size -I believe the crocea clam will be the smallest options as far as clams in maximum size which will suit a nano. - anything smaller than 2-3 inches generally have a tough time adapting in home aquarium and often require specific feeding other than filter feeding. Death - they can take a long time to die generally so you may not even realize your clam is dying over time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/14/2017, 08:01 AM	#4
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Excellent information in this thread on keeping clams. I've had 2 over the years, the first one, a derasa (supposed to be the easiest to keep), never settled in and only lasted 3 months or so. The second one, a maxima, has done really well until recently, where I think it was smothered by other corals, and I'm fairly certain it died a few weeks ago. Some other great references on Clams, first a good website/article, and second, a great book that I keep as a shelf reference guide, that is also a great readthrough. I would NOT recommend supplemental feeding. Have fishes, flow, and strong light, and the clam will do fine.

09/14/2017, 11:14 AM	#5
ahuaia Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 228	Ya I bought that book a while back but it got damaged in transit so I got a refund but never bought the book again. Also thanks for the video luu78 it was great. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

09/22/2017, 02:08 PM	#8
Xandernfs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: STL Posts: 730	I kept a crocea & a derasa in my 20 under a 150 HQI back in the day and it did great. It's manageable, but does require more intense light.