Can clams break the bottom of an aquarium

BradB · Oct 8, 2024

My gigas is getting big, and today something bothered it and it closed quickly a few times. This made a loud knocking sound and a lot of force on the bottom of the aquarium. I have an acrylic tank with plywood underneath, so it is going to take a lot to break, but not as much to make me worry. These get 500lbs in the wild, so has anyone had issues with them breaking a tank? Mine is on bare-bottom, I am not sure how much impact rock would absorb, and sand is just going to blow away.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Oct 8, 2024

I don't know the answer, but I would just love to see a pic of your clam if you have one to share? How long you had it?

Chrisv. · Oct 8, 2024

I don't think it would hurt to put some starboard under a gigas.

minus9 · Oct 8, 2024

You're hearing the shell hitting/rubbing the bottom, it's going to make a lot of noise on a bare bottom tank. It's a 4' long clam when fully grown, so at some point you'll need a bigger boat.

Sdoutreefer · Oct 8, 2024

I don't see how it could break a tank from closing. If you're worried, put something under it, but just be sure you don't tear the foot when removing it from the BB.

I could see the weight causing a micro-fracture over time, but that's obviously only if it gets rather large.

BradB · Oct 9, 2024

Chrisv. said:
I don't think it would hurt to put some starboard under a gigas.

starboard? Unless you mean the right side of a boat, I have no idea what that is.

BradB · Oct 9, 2024

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
I don't know the answer, but I would just love to see a pic of your clam if you have one to share? How long you had it?

Almost 5 years, they grow fast.

I'll try to remember a picture next time I clean the glass, but it is much more impressive in person. Pictures of big clams in big tanks look a lot like pictures of small clams in small tanks.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Oct 9, 2024

How big is it? It’s not mentioned previously.

BristleWormHater · Oct 9, 2024

BradB said:
starboard? Unless you mean the right side of a boat, I have no idea what that is.

Pretty sure Its a large chunk of acrylic

JoJosReef · Oct 9, 2024

minus9 said:
You're hearing the shell hitting/rubbing the bottom, it's going to make a lot of noise on a bare bottom tank. It's a 4' long clam when fully grown, so at some point you'll need a bigger boat.

Don't forget waterproofing your ceiling! Gigas can spit!

Chrisv. · Oct 9, 2024

JoJosReef said:
Don't forget waterproofing your ceiling! Gigas can spit!

THIS. Big ones can shoot some serious water out.

Chrisv. · Oct 9, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
Pretty sure Its a large chunk of acrylic

Not acrylic, more like plastic cutting board material.

Troy V · Oct 19, 2024

I ran into the same issue as the OP. I ended up making an aquarium I thought would be better suited to its needs. However, in retrospect the issue isn't breaking the bottom of the tank, its the ability for the clam to support itself under its own weight and the aquarist inability to properly support it so the hinge doesn't become compromised and lead to the clam's ultimate demise. Which is what happened to me after it got to around 140-150lbs. These animals are powerful and constantly moving, especially during spawning season. Now the shell is truly sessile in my office as a succulent planter.

Good luck

Chrisv. · Oct 19, 2024

Troy V said:
I ran into the same issue as the OP. I ended up making an aquarium I thought would be better suited to its needs. However, in retrospect the issue isn't breaking the bottom of the tank, its the ability for the clam to support itself under its own weight and the aquarist inability to properly support it so the hinge doesn't become compromised and lead to the clam's ultimate demise. Which is what happened to me after it got to around 140-150lbs. These animals are powerful and constantly moving, especially during spawning season. Now the shell is truly sessile in my office as a succulent planter.

Good luck

Do you mean the hinge gets compromised while moving it, or just while it's sitting in the tank being ...heavy?

Troy V · Oct 19, 2024

Just sitting on the bottom with unsupported weight.
In the wild the clam would be supported by sand. But in a small-closed systems the clam will just blow the sand away. My sand bed was only 2". Maybe if I had a 8" to 10" bed it would be alive today. But a DSB during spawning season releasing anaerobic bacteria could cause other issues. At least I could keep a healthy reef along with the clam for an extended period. Or perhaps a DSB stand-alone with a clam to filter the system could work.

Troy V · Oct 19, 2024

JoJosReef said:
Don't forget waterproofing your ceiling! Gigas can spit!

I learned this lesson the hard way, or the wet way.

The first tank I had the Gigas in was an 8'x2'x2'. It would regularly blow water 2 to 3 foot out of the water. I lost countless MH bulbs because of this. When it came time to upgrade tanks I went with a custom Glass/Acrylic 5'x30"x31" It would still blow water out of the tank but not nearly as bad.

Chrisv. · Oct 19, 2024

Troy V said:
I learned this lesson the hard way, or the wet way. The first tank I had the Gigas in was an 8'x2'x2'. It would regularly blow water 2 to 3 foot out of the water. I lost countless MH bulbs because of this. When it came time to upgrade tanks I went with a custom Glass/Acrylic 5'x30"x31" It would still blow water out of the tank but not nearly as bad.

Do you have any photos of this system and claim!?