Whats wrong with my Clams?

[MarkoD]

i dont think moving them would really work for me. plus i've seen those mesh breeder boxes and they seem to be too small to even fit one of my clams

[fishytime]

The little baskets that strawberries come in work great for caging off things

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by fishytime

The little baskets that strawberries come in work great for caging off things

But the holes are big enough for a cleaner wrasse, right?

That's the only fish I've ever seem picking at a clam

[fishytime]

Strawberry basket lined with enkamat?

[fishytime]

Strawberry basket lined with enkamat or eggcrate?

[reefwars]

make a cover from the same plastic mesh others make algae scubbers from the holes are maybe 1/8th of an inch:P

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

no. i wait 6 months, clams start acting up. i do a 10 gallon water change. no change except at night (which was happening before and after the minor waterchange)

Your previous posts suggested the change was done prior to the clams acting up, hence my previous assumption. Keep in mind a 10% change after 6 months won't have much effect, you can't rule out this issue from that. You can search day and night for some mysterious predator but clams don't have the ability to reason, it's not closing up all day because it's more likely to be attacked then. Clams sense light and touch, they close up temporarily with sudden changes in those senses. The clams are stressed making them more sensitive to light is all.

My honest guess is months of neglect among other things. It was probably a combination of things from the tank being fairly new to a dramatic light change and then the constant downfall of water chemistry from lack of maintenance. In the end the clams have finally had enough and are showing signs of stress which may or may not be reversible. Your best shot is to eliminate the more potential issues with IMO doesn't include moving them or building cages. First check for pyramid snails, these are really the only predator that could cause such issues, if you have them they are easily spotted on the clams foot. Daily water changes of around 20% for the next week or so should slowly bring up strontium, iodine and anything else they require. Calcium and Alkalinity should be careful monitored and even verified to be certain readings are accurate. The water movement around the clams should be moderate and indirect in enhance their ability to feed. Cutting your light back might also aid in recovery as well removing any aggressive type of chemical filtration. Finally I would try intermittent skimming and dosing a small amount of phytoplankton.

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Your previous posts suggested the change was done prior to the clams acting up, hence my previous assumption. Keep in mind a 10% change after 6 months won't have much effect, you can't rule out this issue from that. You can search day and night for some mysterious predator but clams don't have the ability to reason, it's not closing up all day because it's more likely to be attacked then. Clams sense light and touch, they close up temporarily with sudden changes in those senses. The clams are stressed making them more sensitive to light is all.

My honest guess is months of neglect among other things. It was probably a combination of things from the tank being fairly new to a dramatic light change and then the constant downfall of water chemistry from lack of maintenance. In the end the clams have finally had enough and are showing signs of stress which may or may not be reversible. Your best shot is to eliminate the more potential issues with IMO doesn't include moving them or building cages. First check for pyramid snails, these are really the only predator that could cause such issues, if you have them they are easily spotted on the clams foot. Daily water changes of around 20% for the next week or so should slowly bring up strontium, iodine and anything else they require. Calcium and Alkalinity should be careful monitored and even verified to be certain readings are accurate. The water movement around the clams should be moderate and indirect in enhance their ability to feed. Cutting your light back might also aid in recovery as well removing any aggressive type of chemical filtration. Finally I would try intermittent skimming and dosing a small amount of phytoplankton.

How would pyramid snails just appear over night? I haven't added anything that could bring them in. Just fish

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

How would pyramid snails just appear over night? I haven't added anything that could bring them in. Just fish

It's just something eliminate, I agree it's not likely the issue.

This what they look like encase you didn't already know.

[MarkoD]

I've googled it and no sign of those in my tank. And honestly 50 gallon water changes is not something I can do. I'm going to rule out fish first