Lighting for Tridacnid clams in a smaller aquarium

[Charley Waters]

Hello,

I will be trying to raise a few T. maximas in a 30 gal aquarium that is about 12 inches deep. Any suggestions on what lighting in terms of watts and color temperature I should use?

Thanks,

Charley

[MT79]

Crocea and Maxima clams can literally take all the light you can throw at them. They will still require proper light acclimation, as anything else would though. AFAIK they don't show photo-inhibition even in extreme cases. They can actually use more light for photosynthesis in a day than SPS corals. I would recommend MH lighting, maybe T-5 fluorescents. Since the tank is only 12", a 150 or 175 watt MH in the 10-12 K range will be good. 12 K would be nicer if your not using any supplemental fluorescent for blue light. Generally MH fixtures cover a 2x2 foot area. If it's a 36" tank you can use two, but one should suffice IMO. You can place lower light corals in the corners, where the lighting is not as intense. HTH