Clam in a nano ?

[dbc1717]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has managed to keep small clams in a nano? My wife really wanted one in her 12 gal. nano, so I lent her a small blue crocea (3"). If it looks to be troubled I can move it back to our large tank. We have it on a ledge rock about 5-6" from the surface, so it sits and soaks up the light. We feed it phytoplankton stuff each week , and have doubled the flow off of a "stock" nano.
It has been in there about 2 months and seems to be prospering.

Any feedback, tips or warnings?

Thanks

[Xandernfs]

I have a ~4" dersa clam in my 20. But this is is under a 150w HQI. What kind of lighting does the nano cube have?

[a4twenty]

does it connect to your sump? do you have an ATO?

other than lighting another concern would be water quality. because the volume is so small your parameters can change quite rapidly. a days worth of evaporation could easily change your salinity by a few points.

as long as he's getting enough light and your really on with your water parameters and changes, you should be fine. just watch for any bleaching or other signs of discomfort.

[jmaneyapanda]

definitely what twenty said. also, make sure you maintain adequate calcium and alkalinity. clams will soak that up quick, especially out of a small volume of water.

[dbc1717]

Cool.
It is only about 5 inches below the standard PC light, and I monitor the water closely.
I am thinking about how to boost the light...Possibly adding a row of 3watt 465nm royal blue leds. Lots of par, not much heat...

No Bleaching so far, looking good.

Thanks

[Peabody]

IME, that lighting is not going to cut it. Honestly, bleaching it not going to be a good indicator. Often clams look fine right until they croak.

Try to get at least a 70w MH bulb over it soon, or maybe move it...sorry

[jmaneyapanda]

The LEDs in that wavelnegths will not provide PAR, either. Lighting is paramount.

[racerw]

I have a maxima in a 12 gallon & he is doing great. When I 1st got him he was about 1 inch, he is now 3 1/2 inches & getting ready to move into the bigger tank. I do have a 150 DE MH for lighting

[ezcompany]

i have 4 maximas in my 24 gallon tank, 3 of them being very hard to find/expensive. i will NOT encourage anyone to do what i'm doing as it is very laborous work keeping it stable.

[a4twenty]

Originally posted by Peabody
IME, that lighting is not going to cut it. Honestly, bleaching it not going to be a good indicator. Often clams look fine right until they croak.

i have to agree, standard pc's aren't going to be enough for a crocea to thrive. he may look ok now but i'm quite sure he is not getting enough light.

can you get a picture of the clam in the nano?

[dbc1717]

Here are a couple of pictures of the clam and the tank...

[sjfishguy]

That's not a crocea, its a maxima (crocea shells are smooth, no flutes like yours). He has a better shot than a crocea. I missed what kind of lighting this thing will be under in the nano? I have a blue max very similar to yours a few inches under 130W PCs in my 10g, is doing great. I have had him for nearly 3 years now, from 1.5'' to 4''. And a max at 3'' doesnt need phyto, although I guess it cant hurt.

[ezcompany]

how much light is a standard pc light? i'm guessing its an all in one nano, so probably less than 50 watts of pc lighting.
croceas require the most light of all clams, but maximas are the most difficult to keep. i would either remove that top and get metal halide, or place him back in the old tank asap.

[dbc1717]

This one has 54 watts. I am considering adding more with mods.....

[Peabody]

More PCs aren't guarenteed to cut it. You would be well advised to look into at least a 70w MH bulb.

[GSMguy]

go topless
get a 150wpendant