Bigjohnwoody

So here is some pics of the process so far since I am acclimating

Ok the bag smells fine and the clam is alive. There are so many bags it was really hard to see. The white fleshy part must be the foot and it is attached to ruble rock from live aquaria. It is drip acclimating right now and is opening right up and closing halfway. It seems like it is gaping quite a lot but I am new to this so don't know much. I will continue to drip it for about 45 mins total I figure. Unless you guys think I should go longer or shorter. I will just set the clam and ruble on that small rock that I have and place it in the tank when ready. I need to make sure to check for snail hitchhikers as well.

I put a hold on it and picked it up today at 10;30 which was when the truck came in. I figured it would be better that way then having to wait for it to come on the truck. The bag felt very cold and it looks like there is flappy white flesh hanging from the shell. Also there is all types of stuff floating in the water. Floating in my sump now and will begin drip acclimation in about 5 mins. Pictures to come.

Very frustrated right now!!!! Just got word that my package was delayed in Memphis due to weather and it will not be here today. So now my clam will be two days in a box. Liveaquaria stated that they most likely will not refund my shipping but they will look into it depending on the circumstances tomorrow. So now I have to take time off from work tomorrow to acclimate a clam that is probably dead! They said they will refund the money on the clam itself. So basically if they do not refund my shipping money then to have another clam reshipped would be like 70 bucks total!!! Not worth it on a 80 dollar clam. So as far as my first mail order not a good experience at all!! Just makes me sick to think of it sitting there dying in a friggin box!! I know its out of my hands and no need to fret over it but I am just really mad for some reason about the whole thing.

Ok I have a rock in mind that I did a little work on tell me what you think. Also I have read a lot of people feed them phyto while putting them in a small cup or something and feeding them there rather than feeding the whole tank phyto which can add to nutrient problems. So I figure I can do this as well by hoping he grabs onto this rock. He is under 2 inches so I figure I need to spot feed him from what I have read although some people still say it is unnecessary. So the jury is still out on this for sure but I have phyto coming so I am prepared. Here are the pics of the rock!!

Ok thanks I have done some research on these and have an idea of now what to look for. Thanks for the advice I will definitely make sure to double and triple check I reall appreciate it.

Ok great guys thanks I will get the clam a rock to cradle in and then be able to move it if need be plus it sounds like it will like the cradle. So should the rock be big enough for him to grow into or does a small say 3 inch rock work for it's lifetime? Or should I get a bigger rock like 6-8 inches or even bigger?

Thanks for the setup comment I put a lot of work into it. I think the 2 mp40's are perfect you can always tone them down some and then really crank them up later when the tank is heavily stocked. Is there such thing as 2 much flow? Haha! So I do have some dry base rock that I could chisel and form perfectly for the clam would that work? Or would you place it on a seeded piece of rock?

Are you talking like setting that rock on top of the other rock on the right side or just on the sand? Also front or back right side corner? Also why out of curiosity?

By the way he left Rhinelander, WI at 6:23 pm CST. I can sense him getting closer!(cheer) Say a little prayer for him tonight before you all go night night! (laugh)

Ok so I took a full tank shot for all of you guys to give me some suggestions on placement! I am thinking on the right hand side on that big rock about mid tank on the far right. I feel like it would be good light and also good flow but not direct from the vortech. Remember it is 24 inch deep tank and I have 2x250 mh. Also hesitant to put it on the sand cause I am scared of my Goby spitting sand on it. Also from what I have read maximas in the wild are almost always on rock. let me know what you guys think.

I really like these fish. I seem to like a lot of wrasses in the halichoeres family but I am scared they will consume my pair of blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp, and pair of harlequin shrimp. Wow I have a lot of shrimp lol. I also fell in love with the mystery wrasse but had to turn away :(. Anyways beautiful fish btw Congrats!!

I think that there Beauty did have a lot to do with it along with the 100 bucks burning a hole in my pocket. lol. I got a divers den update and I guess I got caught up in the moment and I sprung. I did some quick google research and the stuff that I read was saying that Maximas are one of the easier clams to take care of so I took the plunge. My tank params have been very cosistent for 2 months and everything seems to be doing very well in my tank. My corraline is spreading like crazy everywhere, my birdsnest is doing well the Duncan I got is already popping 2 new heads and my zoo's are all sprouting new polyps. Along with other stuff all doing well. I will be posting pics and asking questions throughout the process making sure I am doing everything I can to make it happy. I already ordered phyto through Garrett. I am also hoping I can talk someone into housing it for me if it takes a turn for the worse. I just hope I can get my camera skills up to par with my new camera to give you guys all accurate pictures of the clam. I have been struggling getting things to look natural. The camera is way smarter than me. Thanks everyone for your input. I hope I can keep it looking as amazing as it does at liveaquaria.

I don't mind supplimenting the feeding what is the best way to do this and what do you recommend? Uh oh should I have waited? It is about 3 months old now! All my perams are in great shape and have been for quite some time. I was hoping it would be ok am I wrong? Your scaring me now!

So I got a 100.00 gift certificate for Christmas from liveaquaria and just ordered a clam with it. If anyone has any suggestions on how to best place this and where then shoot them my way. It will be delivered on Thursday so I have plenty of time for all suggestions. Tell me what you think and I will keep this thread open as my first clam thread! Lol This is the pic from liveaquaria as I don't have it yet! http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/itemdisplay.cfm?c=2733+1&ddid=111151&ref=4282&subref=AI&cmpid=E-_-TR-_-DDN-_-PRDCT

Been wanting a tat for awhile I just don't know of exactly what yet. Atleast I know where to go now

Very cool. I am hoping to get some green birdsnest in the next couple days. I really like that stuff and now I am inspired on how fast it grows. I will have to take more progression pics. Thanks for the pics

Very very cool!

Yah that's funny, reading over it again I think I might submit the thread to General Hospital. Lol

So another update for everyone. She is still doing well and I was finally able to get some pics of her. I have a canon EOS Rebel T1I but apparently I have no idea how to use it because my pics suck and I can not figure it out. So any recomendations on why her color is so faded and what I can do to improve it would be awesome thanks. Anyways here are some pics of my new hopefully getting healthy Tang.

I would have to agree with the rest of everyone on here. The way some people can act on forums is completely unnecessary. As a relatively new member myself I was overwhelmed with positive posts and responses to my questions. I was in fact so impressed by the kindness and eagerness to help on this site I became a member in just a couple weeks. I have continued to be more and more impressed by people willing to help. Even giving out phone numbers and inviting you to there homes. I am truly sorry that your son was treated this way and can understand your frustration. I can assure you as I have been on many saltwater forums and this site by far has the most members per capita that are willing to bend over backwards to help. I hope you will give us all a second chance since this club is a great place to learn a wealth of information. Also you being local to everyone has unforseen benefits. Thanks for posting this and making all of us aware of your unfortunate first experience.