clam lighting

[irishbing]

how many watts would i need to keep a clam in a 20 long? i dont want to get metal halides so is it possible to keep them under Compact Flourecents?

[Undertheradar]

possible...but not as easy. You will have to make up for the lack of what many consider the ONLY proper light for clams with very good water conditions. Clams have 2 main means of feeding. Photosyntesis in their mantles, and filter feeding. They actually dont like heavy chemical dosing through the water like corals do...in fact they prefer low nutrient water (strontium dosing can actually make them very unhappy for example). They simply make their own nutrients. If the lighting isnt the best, they will go after more filter feeding for their well being. Keep this in mind...you will prolly be 'spot-feeding' more than you thought.

 

Any reason why you dont want halide? Once you go halide...you will never go back.

[irishbing]

what type of halides would i need for a 20 long? Is it really expensive? I look on hellolights.com and there are retrofit kits and DIY things. Are they like the same thing? Should i get magnetic ballast or electronic? WIll i be able to keep softies in there with the MH? sorry for all the questions but i am a newb to nano tanks...im planning my first one.

[irishbing]

is one 175W Pendant enough? I want to try to stay away from DIY because ive got no idea on sodering and things. http://www.hellolights.com/17penfix.html Please respond thanks.

[1fish2fish]

I'm considering picking up this HQI pendant.

 

http://www.aquaticeco.com/pdfs/SpringFlyer...pring_Flyer.pdf

 

It's listed on the last page.

 

It's only 150 watt, but unless I'm mistaken HQI DE's are generally viewed as superior to the SE. I also figure that at $150 it's apretty good bargain.

[Sardaukar]

A single 175w pendant would be sufficient. Try a 10k or higher bulb.

[irishbing]

On a retrofit kit...is there soldering requiered?