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Clam help

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Kylie, Sep 16, 2011.

  1. Sep 16, 2011 #1
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    So, many people know I got an awesome clam at MACNA. He's a blue maxima about 5-6" across, like the ones that were at the Pacific East booth. The first night, he was looking awesome, as seen in the picture from my thread about MACNA. The past few days, however, he has been close to clamped shut pretty much all day. I have not seen him as full and open as that first day. Is there something I could be doing to help him? Current lighting is 2x150w MH 20K bulbs with 2x36w T5 actinics on for about 8hrs a day. Soon (hopefully sometime next week) I will be trading that for 46 LED's, 10 of which are designed for high light organisms and will be clustered in a 'spotlight' right above him with optics to focus on him. I had a small sample of phyto 2 that I put in the tank that first night but no other supplementation until just now, I put in about a 1/4 cup of phyto from reef nutrition. He seems to be thinking about coming out more but freaks out every time a fish swims near.
    Is this a matter of him getting adjusted to the inhabitants of the tank or should I be doing something to try and help him? I have a calcium/magnesium test kit on the way in the mail and have calcium supplements ready to go once I can test my water levels. 
    I love my clam and don't want to lose him!!
    Thanks,Kylie
     
  2. Sep 17, 2011 #2
    fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

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    Hope its OK. He was under mostly blue LED's at macna wasn't it, then underneath the whole set-up after the first day when you bought it.  Couldnt be much light under there. Maybe going into your tank with the MH its trying to acclimate itself?
    Also, I wonder if those clams have ever been in a tank with fish? Not used to something swimming above it?
     
  3. Sep 17, 2011 #3
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    I'm pretty sure he hadn't been with fish. He reacts A LOT when a fish swims over and it takes him a while to come out. Just hard to tell if that's his only problem.
     
  4. Sep 17, 2011 #4
    Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    When I bought my clam he didn't open for a day then it was every time something swam over head he would close for an hour. I agree I think its a mixture of lights and fish inhabitants. IT has to get used to the little shadows the fish give off when they swim by. Give it a week or two , Im sure it will open up. It is just acclimatizing itself. Good luck.
     
  5. Sep 17, 2011 #5
    Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    How deep is your tank? Probably more importantly, are any of your other corals having issues (I am not sure you even got anything else new)?
    I might try putting a mesh screen over/above the clams (outside of the water, between the light and the water itself) and see if less intense light allows it to open up better.
     
  6. Sep 17, 2011 #6
    Maureen Urbandale, IA

    Maureen Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Hi Kylie,

    I was reading up on clams since I got one at MACNA too, probably at the same booth. They were awesome clams, so many beautiful ones to choose from! Anyhow, ORA said that T. maxima, prefer to be on rock surfaces high in the tanks, close to the light. I have mine half way up in my JBJ nano on a rock under a 14k metal halide and the new Marineland light we got at MACNA. Mine closes from changes in light and sometimes if something is bothering him. He squirts water at things he doesn't want bugging him like the hermit crabs in the tank, they don't like it and take off. I am still watching to see if a couple of the big ones bother him too much and if they do they are going in the sump.
     
  7. Sep 17, 2011 #7
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    So is your's open and happy then? When he's not being POed at something?

    Today he is a little more open, slightly more tissue showing. He doesn't seem to react as much to the fish swimming overhead but I'm worried that it's a sign he's sick instead of getting use to things. My tank is 24" deep with the 2x150w MH's. He still reacts to things though. Like just now, my cleaner shrimp climbed on his shell and he closed most of the way shut. I'd say his shell is probably 1/2" open with some purple to be seen inside. When I feed the phyto (second time was done today) I turn off the powerheads and just have the return water making a current. He did seem to inch his mantle out juuuuust a bit when I did that.

    He's definitely still reacting to things (I keep checking over at my tank as I'm sitting here). Hopefully he does just need to adjust.
     
  8. Sep 17, 2011 #8
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Ok, so I just walked closer to the tank and have some hope again /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif It has been probably 30 minutes since I dosed the tank with phyto and turned off the powerheads. Now that I'm up close again he is definitely showing more mantle and I can see his little filter thingies sticking out to get food. Thats good!! Go clammy go!
     
  9. Sep 17, 2011 #9
    Maureen Urbandale, IA

    Maureen Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I am glad yours is feeling better! Mine closes but opens up pretty much right away again. I posted a couple of pictures so you could see. My main worry is a large white hermit crab that is aggressive. I could just see him thinking he was big enough to Max on for his shell!
     
  10. Sep 17, 2011 #10
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Where did you post the pictures?
     
  11. Sep 17, 2011 #11
    Maureen Urbandale, IA

    Maureen Experienced Reefkeeper

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    They show up under recent activity about 4 hours ago or just click on me and check out my photos.
     
  12. Sep 17, 2011 #12
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Ok, yours is definitely a lot happier than mine
     
  13. Sep 18, 2011 #13
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Just an update that clam is looking a little better. Hopefully itll be a slow yet good progress /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     

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