Question about clams

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

In terms of lighting requirements:

Derasa & Squamosa - think softies & most LPS corals

Maxima & Crocea - think SPS corals

I have a Derasa & Squamosa a few inches under 96w PC & two 3' T5 20000k fixtures & they're doing fine.

Hope this helps Matt.

Anthony

[Van down by the river]

Hello Matt,

eg;

Are halide lighting thigamabobers expensive?

I cant find much on the internet.

I feel like a parent that asks "well did you look?"

Sorry, I think didn't try would be more accurate.

You are right, after the first 517,731 web sites I didn't find much more.

Google searches
Tridacna clams:8,230
Giant clams: 247,000
aquarium clams: 188,000
Caring for clams in aquariums: 901
Lighting for clams: 73,600 #1 item was wetwebmedia's FAQ about Giant Clam Lighting a highly recommended website.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com alone had 818 hits!
Canreef had 341 hits

Based on the type of questions you ask,
I think the best thing I can do for you is offer some suggested reading. It seems you still don't have a complete grasp of the basics yet. Any one of these books will benefit you greatly. I know you are a teenager so they may not be in your budget. That said, try your local library, I believe they can get transfers from other larger libraries. Vancouver library has many of these. Also Amazon.com used and ebay have many good deals.

Here is a good listing of books.
http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewto...ighlight=algae
There are a few new books out there that I recommend such as Reef Invertabrates by Anthony Calfo

Reef Secrets Alf Nilssen is a good beginner book.
Here's a free online book:http://www.netpets.com/fish/referenc.../thieltoc.html

Even reading one of these books will greatly improve your understanding of the hobby. You will also find that you will understand and benefit more from the information on Canreef when you understand it better.

I have no problems with people asking questions, but I do expect them to have made some effort to figure it out or research on their own. You will also find that you will gain a better understanding of the topic. Much better than any two or three paragraph posted answer.
Afterward, some well thought out questions will fill in the "experience" gaps. Plus, as you gain experience you will learn that many posts are based on "opinion" and individual experience not necessarily on fact. This can often serve to confuse you further if you don't understand the basics.

Canreef has many very knowledgeable and experienced aquarists as a resource to you. We are here to share and learn from each other.
We are here to help you, not do it for you.

[trilinearmipmap]

Just a related question as I am waiting to get my first clam which will be a Derasa.

I have read a fair bit about the ?pyramidellid snails which parasitize clams. What has people's experience been, are these snails a common problem, do I have to worry about them much? I was thinking of examining the clam carefully for these snail or eggs before placing it in the tank.

[Delphinus]

A sensible precaution.

IIRC,I think they say sixline wrasses may pick at those types of snail.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have yet to see these snails or their eggs, but what I learned this week (from Jack) while putting away a large shipment of clams is that you
should hold the clam inside your hand underwater & rotate it at least once to help it expel any air it might have "swallowed" while being out of the water. I guess ideally, never let the clam emerge from the water but that's tricky to accomplish. Just hold it with your thumb on one shell & your finger on the other shell & slowly spin it before settling it in the tank.

Anthony

[trilinearmipmap]

Any tips on the best place to look for Derasa clams in Vancouver this coming weekend?

[Dale D]

Snails are not a common problem. I have only ever seen snails on about 2 clams out of the hundreds that I have dealt with. They are easy to spot and get rid of.

I have only ever seen egg masses on 1 clam before and they too are easy to deal with.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Have lots of croceas @ OA, but don't know how long they'll stay here.

Colin @ Coral Ocean on Kingsway, just west of Boundary, had some too.

Actually, most of the LFS in Lower Mainland got in a crocea shipment last week.

There's plenty to choose from right now. PM me for details.

Anthony

If needed, you can hold your clam in my tank, since it's only for a weekend. (only PC & T5 lighting, but new PC 96w bulb)

[Willow]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

Any tips on the best place to look for Derasa clams in Vancouver this coming weekend?

knowone seems to have any from what i understand.

[Coldwater]

O.k thanks for all the help everybody. I will check out our local library here.

Matt