MVPaquatics Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I agree on no phyto...It is was too specific (size and type). I have fed clams before buy just blowing a TINY bit of sand around in the corner of the tank...they like to feed on diverse size things...phytoplankton..zooplankton, as well as bacteria. careful not too feed anything too much at once...their respiratory system is kind of linked to their feeding apparatus, so too much food causes them to suffocate...this is when they "blast" by closing quickly. this book has some great info on clams...I have read it cover to cover a few times...it is like a textbook. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978619404/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=3921684234&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0MA6M7W1T35GKCRR6BTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 those bulbs wouldn't compare to a metal halide because they offer little to no photo spectrum. If you ran just those on your clam' date=' it would surely die in a matter of weeks.[/quote'] I have the same combination, just a 6 bulb and I get the same par readings as a 2x250mh 14k + 2x54 actinic t5 (plotting) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 i must be missing something, par values correlate to power and intensity but what about the photosynthetic requirements of the corals. your not running any 10k, 12k or actinic whites at all? I didn't realize that actinic pures and plus's put out enough spectrum to grow coral without killing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 A par value is a way to measure the photosynthetic needs of corals. It stands for photosynthetic activity radiation. The value you are referring to it's probably lumen. The Blue Special is meant to affect directly Zooxanthellae while the Blue Plus put out a lot of blue with a good amount of par. The Purple just add some red. None of them is properly an actinic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I'm just not sure a 4 bulb fixture is enough light for a 55g tank with a clam in it....I run a 6 bulb over my 40b.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cschwarz Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 i run a 250 HQI and two 65 watt PC Actinics on my 40b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I'm just not sure a 4 bulb fixture is enough light for a 55g tank with a clam in it....I run a 6 bulb over my 40b.... It depends on the depth of the tank and the quality of the fixture/bulbs. There are some 4 bulbs t5 units that can handle clams at 25-30 inches in a 70 gallon tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I'm so confused, I hate this hobby sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 It depends on the depth of the tank and the quality of the fixture/bulbs. There are some 4 bulbs t5 units that can handle clams at 25-30 inches in a 70 gallon tank. I bought two ATI blue +, one ATI aquablue and one ATI purple +. Should I acclimate my livestock to the new light bulbs, or do I just run it as normal? I have a 216 watt Odyssea professional light fixture. I know they are not considered quality fixtures, but the ballast runs the bulbs at the proper wattage and it has a reflector made out of one sheet of metal, but it is bent around each bulb, it kinda looks like this: VVVV. I have seen good growth on my bird nest coral with the stock bulbs, so it can't be that bad. The top of my sand bed is 17 inches away from my light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 were did you get the bulbs? Just curious if you found them at an LFS. I was looking into the same bulb choice but hate shopping online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 were did you get the bulbs? Just curious if you found them at an LFS. I was looking into the same bulb choice but hate shopping online. www.reefgeeks.com it was $95 shipped 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I bought two ATI blue +, one ATI aquablue and one ATI purple +. Should I acclimate my livestock to the new light bulbs, or do I just run it as normal? I have a 216 watt Odyssea professional light fixture. I know they are not considered quality fixtures, but the ballast runs the bulbs at the proper wattage and it has a reflector made out of one sheet of metal, but it is bent around each bulb, it kinda looks like this: VVVV. I have seen good growth on my bird nest coral with the stock bulbs, so it can't be that bad. The top of my sand bed is 17 inches away from my light. I don't know that fixture. Reflectors are really important on T5's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenReefin Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Post some pics with that light setup, I've heard that it really makes the colors POP! Maybe before and after pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 I just thought I would let everyone know that my clam is still doing well. Here is a current picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Looking great! I'm really happy everything is doing well. Enjoy your success! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 good work! looks happy, keep at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjohnwoody Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I just read your whole thread on your clam. I am really happy to hear it is doing well. I too really want a clam but my tank is only about 5 weeks old. I have made the decision that I will wait till it is atleast 6 months old. I am very conscientious about my water quality but I still don't want to take any risks. Thanks for sharing! It was a lot of useful info for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epicenter Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Clam is lookin happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 sweet clam where did you get him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 sweet clam where did you get him saltwaterfish.com I was very happy with them. About once a week if your on their secret sale email list you can get free shipping on orders over $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 nice i have got stuff from them also and was very happy with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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