Tridacna derasa, T. maxima

[A_Lee]

Just wanting to feel out the field with regards to clams ... I've never had one before.

Lighting ... I understand T. derasa does not need as much light as other clams, such of T. crocea. I figure a derasa clam would do just fine on the bottom of my tank; my tank has a 150w MH above it. I have an SPS colony growing down there, so I am using that as an "okay" indication as well. But maxima clams are absolutely gorgeous; more so than the derasa! How much more light will the maxima need? More than I can provide at the bottom of my tank?

Feeding ... do these need to be target fed on a regular basis is the clam is a little under 3" across? I do feed Oyster Feast once a day in the morning before the lights come on. I can even throw some PhytoFeast in to the tank as well. But I do not target feed.

Flow ... I assume these guys do not need to be pummeled with water flow, but what is ideal? The water flow on the bottom of my tank is moderate.


Thanks!

 

[GreshamH]

target feeding is hard on them IMO and not needed. They can survive on light alone but a regular feeding of phyto will produce a stronger, healthier, faster growing clam.

They do not eat Oyster-Feast. They only utilize phyto, the rest i spit out as pseudofeces.

 

[A_Lee]

the rest i spit out as pseudofeces.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I use some Oyster Feast for myself nom nom nom nom haha


So sounds like I'll be picking up a bottle of PhytoFeast if everything else checks out with regards to the clams needs, and what my tank can provide

Any words of wisdom on the lighting and flow Gresh?