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- May 21, 2020
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Howdy. I’ve been considering getting a clam for a while and my tank is now a bit over a year. Parameters seem to stay pretty stable, with my alk at 9, calcium 430, mag 1260. I struggle with elevated phosphates (most recently .81, which is actually pretty good) but I’ve heard clams like some nitrates and phosphates in the water. Tank is softie dominated with 1 micromussa that’s doing well, so not a super high cal or alk demand. It’s a 20 gallon with an AI prime (schedule posted below) running on I think a WWC program with modified times to fit my viewing schedule. It’s pretty low so I could turn the light up in intensity with the acclimation mode if the clam needs more light.
That being said, from my research it seems that derasa and squamosa are more beginner friendly and don’t have as high lighting requirements as the maxima. I initially considered derasa since they seem pretty available, are hardy, and aren’t super expensive. But I think they’ll grow a bit too fast for me since I won’t be upgrading the tank for a while. Hence, I’m leaning toward the Squamosa and would put it on the sand bed in front. However, I think I could possibly mount a maxima up on my rock work and turn the light up. Since it’s a pretty shallow tank and I have a Prime I think I could get a good amount of light. At this time I don’t have access to a par meter. The light is probably about 8” above the tank or so, and the tank is about 15” tall.
Any advice and recommendations are welcome. Thank you.
Tank pics are with and without orange filter.
That being said, from my research it seems that derasa and squamosa are more beginner friendly and don’t have as high lighting requirements as the maxima. I initially considered derasa since they seem pretty available, are hardy, and aren’t super expensive. But I think they’ll grow a bit too fast for me since I won’t be upgrading the tank for a while. Hence, I’m leaning toward the Squamosa and would put it on the sand bed in front. However, I think I could possibly mount a maxima up on my rock work and turn the light up. Since it’s a pretty shallow tank and I have a Prime I think I could get a good amount of light. At this time I don’t have access to a par meter. The light is probably about 8” above the tank or so, and the tank is about 15” tall.
Any advice and recommendations are welcome. Thank you.
Tank pics are with and without orange filter.