Clam Lighting Question

[ReefDreamz]

I have read the lighting requirements for keeping clams under PC's but I was hoping I might be an exception to the rules. I have 384 watts of PC's over my 20" deep 46g bowfront. Do I have any options as far as keeping a clam. If so what kind and what placement in the tank. Thanks for any advice.
-Cody

[seapug]

wow, for the power you are sucking with those PCs you could get more bang for your buck with a 250W MH. You'd probably be okay for derasas or squamosas on the bottom...maybe crocea and maxima high up on a flat rock.

[skinz78]

I wouldn't try the crocea or maxima at all

[seapug]

well, if they are 10k or 50/50 bulbs he's got more watts than my 90 or 30 gal tanks with MH, and my clams do great. Granted, the PAR/watt isn't as good with PCs but 384W in a 46gal tank is a hella lot of light.

[tmz]

I kept crocea a derasa in a 90gal with 569pc for several years . The colors on the crocea faded .The derasa thrived.

[skinz78]

I had approx 500w of pc on my old 75g tank. I killed several sps's corals. Yes I admit it I am a past sps murderer. I then upgraded to a t5 lighting system and have successfully kept all kinds of sps's and almost all of the tridacnid clams with the exception of the hippopus. And the only reason I haven't had one is because they are very rarely for sale and at reasonable prices.

It is my belief that if you can successfully keep sps's with pc you can keep the higher light demanding clams too. I personally was not able to do that. I believe that you will see color fading, slowed growth rates and your clam starve.

[Potsy]

I keep a crocea in a 38 gallon under 295 watts of T5 lighting. I have it perched 4" beneath the waterline. It was part of a downgrade from a 75 gallon lit by 2x250 watt hqi. It has lost a slight bit of color but still looks quite good.

[tpenn187]

i would agree with everyone that if you try any clam try a derasa. be careful with the derasa's and squami's they will with out a doubt out grow your 46 bowfront. just my opinion.