Zephs Zoo Haus !

[jedimasterben]

oh snap.

[ZephNYC]

I'll overfeed tonight then and add so Reef Fuel to speed it up and test in the morning. Do you run any GFO? I've heard it can be bad for clams. If you don't mind me asking what are your other tank parameters?

 

Clams are pretty acceptable to a range of DKH...but I keep mine at 10 or a little higher. Cacium 450 for shell growth. Nitrates are 4-5 ppm, phospahtes 0, I dont use GFO I use Seachem phosguard which is aluminum based and not iron based. But I dont see a problem using GFO if you clams are healthy. I dont really test for anything else.

[metrokat]

you

Excellent choice kiddo.

[ZephNYC]

Daniel Knopp, who is without a doubt the most advanced clam keeper in the history of the world, writes this:

( yes Im actually going to type the entire thing)

 

In an aquarium where we do not keep the usual soft or stony corals but mainly clams, the metabolism of nitrogen, nitrite, and nitrate must be looked at from a different angle. Contrary to the usual attempts to keep the nutritional content of the seawater as low as possible because delicate stony, as well as some soft corals will show better growth under such conditions, dense populations of clams need higher concentrations of organic nitrogen compounds to satisfy the clams metabolic needs. Per surface area, clams house about ten times more symbiotic algae than corals. This drastic raise in the number of algae, made possible through the specialised symbiont channel system of the mantle, raises the output of the photosynthesis but also requires a higher amount of nutrition. We must keep in mind that organic nitrogen compounds as well as phospahte and nitrate, normally considered evil by the reefhobbyist aquarist, CAN PROVE BENIFICIAL WHEN KEEPING CLAMS.

It should be clear that an extremely low nitrogen or phospahte concentration must not be regarded as a positive sign in the clam aquarium. Seemingle inexplicable deaths or sudden bleaching should direct ones attention to low nitrogen levels.

 

Excellent choice kiddo.

 

I only fly first class

[jedimasterben]

Daniel Knopp, who is without a doubt the most advanced clam keeper in the history of the world, writes this:

( yes Im actually going to type the entire thing)

 

In an aquarium where we do not keep the usual soft or stony corals but mainly clams, the metabolism of nitrogen, nitrite, and nitrate must be looked at from a different angle. Contrary to the usual attempts to keep the nutritional content of the seawater as low as possible because delicate stony, as well as some soft corals will show better growth under such conditions, dense populations of clams need higher concentrations of organic nitrogen compounds to satisfy the clams metabolic needs. Per surface area, clams house about ten times more symbiotic algae than corals. This drastic raise in the number of algae, made possible through the specialised symbiont channel system of the mantle, raises the output of the photosynthesis but also requires a higher amount of nutrition. We must keep in mind that organic nitrogen compounds as well as phospahte and nitrate, normally considered evil by the reefhobbyist aquarist, CAN PROVE BENIFICIAL WHEN KEEPING CLAMS.

It should be clear that an extremely low nitrogen or phospahte concentration must not be regarded as a positive sign in the clam aquarium. Seemingle inexplicable deaths or sudden bleaching should direct ones attention to low nitrogen levels.

 

 

 

I only fly first class

Also, clam zooxanthellae uses significantly more chlorophyll c than corals, 40% vs 10%.

 

So clams do indeed consume phosphate?

[dormreefer]

Interesting read for sure. Guess it's time to find my tanks balance between happy clams and happy corals. I think the clam is for sure my favorite so it'll get preference!

 

How sensitive to Phosphate levels are clams?

[ZephNYC]

Also, clam zooxanthellae uses significantly more chlorophyll c than corals, 40% vs 10%.

 

So clams do indeed consume phosphate?

 

definitely, But I stilll use phosguard. .

 

Interesting read for sure. Guess it's time to find my tanks balance between happy clams and happy corals. I think the clam is for sure my favorite so it'll get preference!

 

How sensitive to Phosphate levels are clams?

 

you can keep you phosphates measuring zero and still have enough to keep your clam(s) fine. If you had lots of big clams it might be a different story.

[dormreefer]

Ok nitrates 1, phosphate 0 got it! Now I have to buy phosguard again just ditched the stuff because I was told Rowaphos was "better" lol

[metrokat]

I'm reading coral magazines new issue on Giant clams. Zeph you need to visit Indonesia and Phillipines and go to the culturing clams workshops there! I can see you take a month long trip being a Hippie. You,ll have to bequeath Big Bertha to me for the duration.

[dormreefer]

Good news got my nitrate up to 1ppm today! Now have to rework my maintenance schedule to maintain it, I'm thinking 10% w/c a week maybe? Clam is looking much better too I think. The mouth seems very tight and it's colors are so bright today becoming more and more blue. If that's a good sign?

[ZephNYC]

Good news got my nitrate up to 1ppm today! Now have to rework my maintenance schedule to maintain it, I'm thinking 10% w/c a week maybe? Clam is looking much better too I think. The mouth seems very tight and it's colors are so bright today becoming more and more blue. If that's a good sign?

look how good it looks now ! The tight mouth is its biggest indication of good health. Coloring up is always good!

 

I'm reading coral magazines new issue on Giant clams. Zeph you need to visit Indonesia and Phillipines and go to the culturing clams workshops there! I can see you take a month long trip being a Hippie. You,ll have to bequeath Big Bertha to me for the duration.

 

what does bequeath mean? Just kidding.... YOU WILL NEVER GET MY CLAM !!!! ( thats what she said)

[dormreefer]

I'm so glad it's happy now, thanks for keeping me calm! The color is even nicer that when I purchased it which is unexpected and awesome. It went from a purple-blue to a bright blue in a few hours it seemed! I'm going to keep switching out the carbon for a few days to make sure anything the GFO may have leeched is out of the water. Also hoping to pick up some more Phosguard and DT's this weekend.

 

Quick question- Should I attempt to move it back on the rocks? I tried once and it either jumped off or got knocked off.

 

As far as maintaining nitrates I'm wondering if a 1 gallon water changes every few days will do a better job. I know 25% a week will just pull it down to zero.

[ZephNYC]

I'm so glad it's happy now, thanks for keeping me calm! The color is even nicer that when I purchased it which is unexpected and awesome. It went from a purple-blue to a bright blue in a few hours it seemed! I'm going to keep switching out the carbon for a few days to make sure anything the GFO may have leeched is out of the water. Also hoping to pick up some more Phosguard and DT's this weekend.

 

Quick question- Should I attempt to move it back on the rocks? I tried once and it either jumped off or got knocked off.

 

As far as maintaining nitrates I'm wondering if a 1 gallon water changes every few days will do a better job. I know 25% a week will just pull it down to zero.

I have little ones that like to be on rocks, and little ones that dont. . We have one we re named "bunny" because it walks to the edge of clifs and jumps off every time. Try it on the rockwork one more time so it has a chance to attach, but if it keeps moving put it back in the sand.

Dont do 25% a week, Smaller more frequent WC's are tolorated better by clams and are easier to do. I have a 500 gallon system and I do 5 gallons daily. (1%).

[dormreefer]

Alrighty I'll move him up to the rocks again in the morning. It's so neat that they have personalities like that! I'm pretty sure it jumped as I strategically placed him in a spot that would minimize anyones ability to knock it. Jumping doesn't hurt them right? I think I'll try a gallon every 3 days that's pretty close to 10%, anything smaller and I'd have to come up with a new way of measuring. lol

[ZephNYC]

SUPER YUMMY ULTRA GRADE AAA TURQUOISE TEARDROP MAXIMA. THIS IS SO SICK ITS LIKE PORNO.

[dormreefer]

SUPER YUMMY ULTRA GRADE AAA TURQUOISE TEARDROP MAXIMA. THIS IS SO SICK ITS LIKE PORNO.

You have?!

[ZephNYC]

You have?!

 

I have my team working on acquiring this clam right this moment

Its a longshot but we're trying.

[ZephNYC]

I wish someone would stop my local PETCO from buying corals

[jgpico]

That clam is sick! Im hoping to snap up a couple good looking clams for my 30 gallon. Who do you usually go through for your clams? My lfs doesnt get too many clams in very often. I was also wondering if you have ever seen a clam resting on top of a stylo colony. I think it looks pretty cool but was wondering if you think it would have any bad effects on the clam. Obviously the stylo wouldnt grow where the clam is but just wondering.

 

I wish someone would stop my local PETCO from buying corals

I feel the same way about my petco. It's really sad to see. I also hate standing there listening to the workers at petco give customers totally wrong information on how to keep salt water fish tanks. I have actually had to correct them multiple times or the fish the customers were buying would have been dead 30 minutes after being put into the tank.

[dormreefer]

"Your team" you have direct hook-ups? That's why you get the best of the best haha. How much is a clam like that? Never seen one like it

 

My Petco lost their salt water section, not sure how. But it did suck.

[jedimasterben]

Zeph, what brand halides do you use on your big reef, and what ballasts are driving them?

[ZephNYC]

Zeph, what brand halides do you use on your big reef, and what ballasts are driving them?

 

I use Hamilton HQI 400W and 250W pendants and the stock ballast that comes with them.

 

"Your team" you have direct hook-ups? That's why you get the best of the best haha. How much is a clam like that? Never seen one like it

 

My Petco lost their salt water section, not sure how. But it did suck.

 

Yup, the same team that located a rare blue squamosa clam for a reasonable price. Everyone wants around $400 for them. My scout found me one for $200. Shes a great scout. Kind of cute too.

 

That clam is sick! Im hoping to snap up a couple good looking clams for my 30 gallon. Who do you usually go through for your clams? My lfs doesnt get too many clams in very often. I was also wondering if you have ever seen a clam resting on top of a stylo colony. I think it looks pretty cool but was wondering if you think it would have any bad effects on the clam. Obviously the stylo wouldnt grow where the clam is but just wondering.

 

Its totally cool to sit your clam on top of stylo colony. I used to love placing small clams on the "shelves" of plating montiporas. Ive seen tanks of Julian Sprungs where he would have lots and lots of baby maximas sitting all in his acropora colonies. It looks awesome and doesnt hurt either one of them at all. When the clams got big they were moved and the acro grew right back and healed.

[jedimasterben]

I use Hamilton HQI 400W and 250W pendants and the stock ballast that comes with them.

kk. I'm gonna try and get some numbers that should match their spectrum-ish and output and will get back to you.

[ZephNYC]

kk. I'm gonna try and get some numbers that should match their spectrum-ish and output and will get back to you.

 

Very cool. Currently I am using all 14 K bulbs.

[jedimasterben]

Very cool. Currently I am using all 14 K bulbs.

Ok, to get about that spectrum and power (more power, should be):

4x Luxeon M 5000K 44w

24x Luxeon Rebel ES Royal Blue (445nm) 72w

8x Luxeon Rebel Blue (475nm) 24w

6x Luxeon Rebel Deep Red (650-660nm) 10w

4x Luxeon Rebel Cyan (495-505nm) 12w

4x SemiLEDs 422nm 10w

4x 430nm 10w

 

And that's per 24"x24" area on the big tank. 200w or less for each fixture, so cutting power usage in half, increasing total usable PAR, and removing your need for a chiller. I smell something winning.

 

And honestly, you could probably use 3 of the whites and 18 royals and it would probably still give you about the same amount of light you have now.