Newbee CLAM help

[bigkenny76]

Afternoon guys and gals , i have a friend that is breaking down his 125 and wanting to give me a large clam, i do not know the type it is, But it is a large purple clam with blue stripes and dots , it is approx 8" across, i have a 220 DS and i have plenty of room , just did a water change and had all my parameter's checked by my LFS. i have two 4 bulb 48" T5 fixtures with ATI bulbs. wondering if this will be enough to support the clam , i don't want to get it and not be able to support it , tank is 84x24x24.

Thanks for the help.

Kenny

[con999]

no im sorry but that is not even close to enough light for a clam. i also wouldent recomend a clam to anyone who has a tank under a year old

[seapug]

probably a maxima, but really need a photo to know for sure. If you put it on a flat rock high in the tank with unobstructed light it will probably be okay if you have a good amount of daylight bulbs in your fixture.

If you don't already, I'd highly recommend starting some sort of calcium/alkalinity supplementation. Clams consume a lot of both.

[mike_cmu04]

I would say dont get it. Wait until you have a stronger light

[Toddrtrex]

Just to give you an idea -- I have 3 clams (( Crocea )) in my 75 -- 48 inches long -- I have 4 48" 54 watt T5's...just as supplemental lighting.

[FRANKENSTIEN]

what other lighting do you have toddrtex

[Toddrtrex]

2*250 MH -- 20,000K XM's DE.

My 58 has 4 clams -- 2*250 Radiums + 2*96 PC.

[jagr200]

I've kept Derasa clams under PC lighting many times. If you keep the clam within 14" of the surface he will do great.

[bigkenny76]

thanks for all the info guys , its a maxima clam , he has had it under t5's for almost 2 years and recently switched to a MH250 x2 and it is looking ok , bright color and growing, my tank has been up and going now for almost 2 years and all my parameters are good according to the LFS , but all i have are the t5's , i have plenty of rock to elevate it and get it closer to the light , but how high would it need to be ? would i start on the sand and work my way up ? or start in the middle ? , thanks for all the info.

[funkejj]

Why are you not testing your own water? I know I can take mine in to the LFS but I would rather have good kits and do it myself rather than take an others word for it.

[seapug]

thanks for all the info guys , its a maxima clam , he has had it under t5's for almost 2 years and recently switched to a MH250 x2 and it is looking ok , bright color and growing, my tank has been up and going now feor almost 2 years and all my parameters are good according to the LFS , but all i have are the t5's , i have plenty of rock to elevate it and get it closer to the light , but how high would it need to be ? would i start on the sand and work my way up ? or start in the middle ? , thanks for all the info.
I'd put it high up on a flat rock from day 1. Maximas have the greatest depth range of all common species we see in the hobby. They are found in ankle deep water all the way down to 50 feet with derasas, so they can tolerate less than blazing halides, but the strongest light you can provide is always a good idea.