How sensitive are clams to nitrate

[Crustman]

Dang, my small derasa that I just got died and I have a squamosa in the tank. Pet store checked water and said that I had high nitrate. Could this have killed the clam? I did a 10 gallon water change the day after I bought the clam. I am now using Instant Ocean nitrate reducer. Don't know how this works but my squammie is fine. I don't have space for refugium and I have large fish in the tank. Don't know if I will get to try another derasa. Is a larger clam 4 inch less susceptable to nitrate? Thanks

[NYCBOB]

how high was ur nitrate? moderate nitrate level shouldnt kill a clam.

[Reefman29]

Smaller clams are less hardy in general. Although I think that clams do like some nitrates. What did the pet store say your nitrates were?

[moliken]

yeah w/out any numbers, who knows. clams use nitrates, but too much can be dangerous. any other critters affected by those pesky nitrates.
i'll bet yr LFS sold you the nitrate reducer!
get yrself a kit.

[kichimark]

Smaller clams are less hardy in general.

very true.

Was your deresa smaller than 3 inches? seems like they have a higher mortality rate. When you say high nitrates how high did he say? Mine stay around 15ppm (I feed heavy...what can i say?:D). I have 2 Maximas and 1 Squamosa in my 90 gallon and they are all healthy and growing new shell.

I also agree with moliken and suggest you buy a test kit.

[mscarpena]

The recommendation is not over 5ppm nitrates even with clams. They do need some nitrate though.

[kichimark]

definitely I would say to go low on the trates but so far with my levels I have experienced growth and no problems. Each tank is different and I recommend anyone reading this thread to research their clams and to maintain good husbandry overall.

[Crustman]

My Nitrate test was 10 mg/L. Clam was less than 3 inches. Brought it back to the store for a credit. got 15 back for it.

[NYCBOB]

it could simply be the clam didnt acclimate well.

[mscarpena]

10 on nitrates I do not think it would kill it. Must have been something else.

[moliken]

+!
yep

[potterjon]

I don't think that amount of nitrates would have hurt that clam either.

[iriejp1]

I WISH I could keep my tank at 10. My Nitrates hover around 20-25 and I have 3 clams that are thriving. I would say its very unlikely having your Nitrates at 10 killed that dude.

[Aquafred]

I have seen clams thrive in tanks that had a constant level of 10-15 for nitrates.

[ccube]

I currently have a nitrate problem in my tank, (25-50ppm) and I am not having any problems with clams. I have a very small (1inch) crocea and a 4 inch crocea and I constantly find new growth on both of the shells. This problem has been consistent for about 3 weeks now and it has actually affected my reef very little. I have had some less hardy sps and Lps die off, but other than that, the colors of my corals and clams is amazing.