who uses clams to reduce nitrates?

[wschang812]

who uses clams to reduce nitrates? how big was your tank and how many clams did you have in the tank?

[seattleguy]

This sounds like a science experiment. The only way that you could measure the effect of clams reducing nitrates would be to take an existing tank with a consistent nitrate level and then add clams without changing any other tank parameters. If you are keeping a normal reef tank with lots of live rock, you should go to zero nitrates without any clams. Do they suck up nitrates? Yes, from what I've read they do, but you are not going to find any formula as in (5 lbs of clams to remove 10ppm nitrates per week). :)

[DSR]

Interesting. I had not heard that before. Has there been some studies concerning this issue (if so, can you point me to a link). I am trying to get over the learning curve on these little fellas and this sounds very interesting to me.

[wschang812]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/55234-elliminating-nitrates-cynobacteria.html

[rgulrich]

http://www.spc.int/coastfish/News/Trochus/Trochus8/Trochus8-07.htm

This may answer your question. Pretty well-developed study.
Cheers,
Ray

[DSR]

Cool. Thank you for posting those links. I now know what I am going to do this evening.

[IFbettas]

In Fatheree's book he talks about how nitrates and ammonia are necessary for clams to survive, but that the amount they remove are minimal when it comes to water quality. You would need a really big clam/ lots of them to make any difference in your nitrate levels. And as seattleguy said in a healthy reef with a sand bed and live rock you shouldn't have nitrates anyway.