Clams consuming nitrates?
 

I was told that my crocea clams can feed off nitrates in the tank. Now, obviously I'll be keeping the nitrates as low as possible as usual, but I was just curious: Does having clams in the tank actually noticably HELP with keeping nitrates low, or is the amount they consume so minute that there is no noticable effect? Think of 2-3 clams in a 75 gallon tank.

Re: Clams consuming nitrates?
 

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11424138#post11424138 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cheebs [/i]
[B]Does having clams in the tank actually noticably HELP with keeping nitrates low, or is the amount they consume so minute that there is no noticable effect? Think of 2-3 clams in a 75 gallon tank. [/B][/QUOTE]

yes, they consume both N ( they can even get the N from A ([B]N[/B]H4 )) & P but it wont be noticeable, you would probably have to fill the tank with clams before you noticed it.

what he said :)

I don't know, what do you think? do I have enough to notice it?:D

will scallops do the same thing

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11428830#post11428830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zippopunk1 [/i]
[B]will scallops do the same thing [/B][/QUOTE]

no.

the only resin Tridacnid clams consume nitrates (actually nitrogen) is because they house symbiotic algae. the algae use this nitrogen source for photosynthesis and then pass on sugars to the clam as food. this is why "cleaner clams" don't work. they are not photosynthetic.

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11428751#post11428751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skinz78 [/i]
[B]I don't know, what do you think? do I have enough to notice it?:D [/B][/QUOTE]


if anyone does, it's you :eek1:

lol #27 is supposed to be here today, squamosa. I think I am gonna stop now, at least till next year.:D

LOL I am trying to catch charlie davidson. He has like 35

27!!!! thats nutz!!

It has lots of blue too. I will post pic's later.

Hi Guys since clams do consume nitrates and phosphates,how many clams roughly do I need in 4x2x2 tank full of LPS ? I'm already running a refugium with chaetos at 24/7 light. Also, I have a H&S protein skimmer running.Other residents in my tank also include about 15 fishes and 10 hermits and 4 cleaner shrimps. In other words how effective are clams in reducing nitrates and phosphates? Any info or advice mostly welcome.
Thanks.

they don't use phosphates. but that would be awesome if they did.

Only Nitrates as I believe they are used to generate proteins and feed the symbiotic zooxanthellae, which in turn generate sugars. Clams don't eat much :) so they absorb.

Actually now that I think about it, shouldn't they absorb phosphates? Not sure if they absorb organic or inorganic forms though. Phosphates are necessary by all lifeforms to create proteins, DNA, etc.

An article I found on using Gigas as a bio filter:
[url]http://www.spc.int/coastfish/news/trochus/Trochus8/Trochus8-07.htm[/url]

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11574459#post11574459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwbogard [/i]
[B]Actually now that I think about it, shouldn't they absorb phosphates? Not sure if they absorb organic or inorganic forms though. Phosphates are necessary by all lifeforms to create proteins, DNA, etc. [/B][/QUOTE]

yes, they do. clams need Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus to survive but as with the nitrates they are not going to be effective at removing phosphates.

I am surprised in all these posts about nitrates and cleaner clams nobody mentions Hippopus they are excellent nitrate removers and I believe they dont need as much light as the other giant clams and some people keep them in the refugium.

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11579269#post11579269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Big load [/i]
[B]I am surprised in all these posts about nitrates and cleaner clams nobody mentions Hippopus they are excellent nitrate removers and I believe they dont need as much light as the other giant clams and some people keep them in the refugium. [/B][/QUOTE]

hippopus are just as light demanding as crocea's and dont use any more nitrogen then any other Tridacnid

besides that all hippopus clams are outrageously priced and very hard to find.