Whats wrong with my Clams?

[MarkoD]

50 gallons is 20 percent

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.

[Proteus]

Well the reality is that this is a hobby we choose and in doing so you accept a responsibility to these animal we keep. Like parenting we would not say we don't have time.
Sufficient advise has been given now the balls in your court

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Titus99

Well the reality is that this is a hobby we choose and in doing so you accept a responsibility to these animal we keep. Like parenting we would not say we don't have time.
Sufficient advise has been given now the balls in your court

Just because I don't adopt your technique of doing weekly water changes doesn't mean I dont care about the live stock I keep. I spent money on it and I intend to keep it alive. Doing 50 gallon water changes daily for a week is not realistic for me, for more reasons than just the time commitment.

Lol and no I don't think keeping fish is not like parenting a human child.

[Proteus]

I don't agree with daily but def bi weekly

[MarkoD]

I've had the tank setup for a year now without doing regular water changes.

I've got no problem keeping any corals or fish.

My sps grow faster than I ever expected.

None of my corals are showing any signs of there being anything wrong with the water quality or perameters.

[Proteus]

20 bucks is a small price to pay if they do die my Cbb will have a full belly

[sphelps]

Keep in mind the daily is only temporary. The tank hasn't seen any changes for 6 months so in a sense it's like you're dealing with a contamination except it's a lack off rather than excess. The fastest way to correct such issues is large water changes however doing too much too quickly can have negative effects hence 20% daily for a week sounds about right to me. However the other options include 10% daily for longer or larger changes like 40-50% once a week.

In all honesty performing water changes shouldn't be difficult, if 50 gallons is too much for you too handle a smaller tank would have been more piratical. You're essentially setting yourself up for failure as I would assume your goal is to fully stock that tank. 250 gallons of healthy livestock is a huge investment in both time and money, what would happen if down the road something happened? Like say your clams all spawned (assuming you'll have more than two by then). Not being able to change large amounts of water quickly will cost you your tank.

[MarkoD]

So be it. If I fail and everything does then I'll have an expensive fowlr and I'll get myself a clown trigger.

I really don't want a lecture. I set this tank up the way I think works best for me and that's it. Whether you think it's right or wrong doesn't concern me.

[sphelps]

Then don't ask for help or peoples opinions cause obviously everything is just fine in your mind.

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

So be it. If I fail and everything does then I'll have an expensive fowlr and I'll get myself a clown trigger.

I really don't want a lecture. I set this tank up the way I think works best for me and that's it. Whether you think it's right or wrong doesn't concern me.

Holy doodles don't be so stubborn! You're getting some pretty sound advise. You don't need to take it word for word but to do nothing is a sure recipe for the clams to die.....