Possible to keep Clam with T-5 lighting?

[Vindicator]

Hello again everyone. Most places I see selling clams say that they need Metal Halide lights. Is it possible to keep them in good shape with T5's? I was planning a 110g tank with 450W T5 lighting. Maybe if I keep in near the middle or top of the tank even? let me know what you think, I'm just planning for the future here.

Build thread coming soon!

 

[MsBeanCtr]

I would suggest highly that you wait until your tank is well established (over 9 mos -- a year would be better). Now to the fun stuff......

How about a derasa clam? They are pretty hardy fellas. I have a 5+inch one in my 72 gallon tank (along with 2 croceas) and I'm having great luck with him.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f44/new-clams-101545.html

HTH--good luck!

 

[austinsdad]

Deresa might just do fine on the sand bed. Clams have a habit of jumping off of rocks sometimes if they don't like it there, so don't count on it being happy on a rock IMO.

Good thinking ahead, but do let that tank get really well established. At least 6 months, but could be as long as a year depending on what things you're adding to your tank and how often you're adding stuff.

 

[melosu58]

A Squamosa clam will do fine. Mine does fine with 4 VHO bulbs. Here`s what they look like

 

[MsBeanCtr]

Deresa might just do fine on the sand bed. Clams have a habit of jumping off of rocks sometimes if they don't like it there, so don't count on it being happy on a rock IMO.

My derasa is tucked away fairly well so he's not going traveling but one of my crocea's is part Kamikaze. So....you pointed out a very important fact.

Thanks!

 

[Ziggy953]

T5s will work fine for keeping a clam and you don't need to put him high up in the tank either. As has been mentioned wait until your tank is established before trying a clam. They are filter feeders and you need an established tank to handle the addition of phyto or other filter feeder foods. 9-12 months is a good amount of time to work the "kinks" out of your new setup.

 

[Vindicator]

Oh ya, I am planning on waiting awhile before I add a clam or any other type of filter feeder to the tank. I am just trying to plan on how much lighting I need to buy, based on what critters I eventually want to add to the tank. Was really hoping to do mostly T5 lighting to cut down on head and power consumption.