Should I try a clam?
 

I want to try a clam, but not for a little while until my tank is better established. It is a 16 bowfront with 80 watts of T5s. Should this be sufficient? Derasa is the least demanding right? How long is a good time period before adding a clam? My tank is obviously not ready at only a few weeks old even though everything was transferred from a 7 month old tank. Exactly what do clams require to be successful besides stable params and light?

Don't do the derasa in that small of a tank it will outgrow it quickly, try crocea or maxima. Yes you have enough light. Wait until the tank is at least 6 months old.

I think I will try a maxima. Should I place it in the rock work about half way up? I'll save a spot for it :)

yes maxima's should be up on the rocks

In my experience, I found T5's to be absolutely terrible for growing any clams, even when placed 2 inches from the surface. Also, I had 300W of T5 and had these problems. I was able to grow clams successfully under 150W HQI (10K & 14K, but not as well under 20K) but coloration was less than desirable. However, when placed under 250W or greater HQI the results were excellent! Also, ionic stability is key to calcification and expansion of clams, so I would suggest a bit larger water volume, although it is very do-able.

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11575150#post11575150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwbogard [/i]
[B]In my experience, I found T5's to be absolutely terrible for growing any clams, even when placed 2 inches from the surface. Also, I had 300W of T5 and had these problems. [/B][/QUOTE]

Wow. You are the first person I have ever seen that clams this. What kind of light did you have and what kind of reflectors? Individual or just one big reflector?

I use strictly t5 lighting and have all but the hippopus clams and all are growing nicely.