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FAQs about Giant Clam Lighting Manufacturers, Brands, Models
Related Articles:
Got Tridacna? A beginner's guide to keeping Tridacnid clams
by Laurie Smith,
Example Chapter from NMA Reef Invertebrates book, on Giant Clams,
Tridacnids,
A Brief Guide to the Selection and Placement of Tridacnid Clams
by Barry Neigut,
Bivalves, Mollusks,
Lighting Marine Invertebrates,
Related FAQs: Tridacnid Lighting 1,
Tridacnid Lighting 2, & FAQs on Tridacnid Lighting:
Science/Application, Design/Fixtures,
Lamps/Bulbs, Duration, Quality
and Intensity, Trouble/Fixing,
& Tridacnid Identification,
Tridacnid Selection, Tridacnid
Compatibility, Tridacnid Systems,
Tridacnid Placement, Tridacnid
Feeding, Tridacnid Disease,
Tridacnid Reproduction, Tridacnids 1,
Tridacnids 2, Tridacnids 3,
Tridacnids 4, Tridacnid Clam Business, Bivalves,
Bivalves 2,
Lighting Marine Invertebrates, |
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Lighting Up A Clam, WWM Counselors - 11/16/05
Dear FAQ Crew,
<<Howdy>>
We have a 75 gallon tank, 48 L X 18 H x 18 D with a
Coralife Lunar Aqualight 2x 10,000K/65 Watt Compact Fluorescents + 2x 65
watt Actinic bulbs. I think that figures out to about 3.4 watts per
gallon.
<<Don't get hung up on this method of figuring/computing
lighting, is of little value in my opinion. You must take in to account
the type (fluorescent vs. single point source), distance from the water
, water clarity, etc..>>
We want to add a Tridacnid clam and have
read varying opinions on lighting.
<<ok>>
Some suggest that a clam
in the top of our 18" deep tank would do okay with our present lighting
while others insist metal halide lighting is absolutely required.
<<Both arguments have merit, and again, depend on certain
conditions/aspects being met. If you have T. derasa then your present
lighting is likely fine if you place the clam in the upper half of the
tank...if you have T. crocea then I recommend upgrading to the MH
lighting. I have seen T. crocea adapt/survive with less lighting, but I
wouldn't recommend it.>>
We intend to upgrade in a couple of months
(January 2006) to the Coralife 48" 2 x 150 w HQI + 2x 96 W actinic + 3
blue moonlight LEDs , but do we need to upgrade before introducing the
clam to the main tank (Presently he/it is in quarantine enjoying a metal
halide clip on light and growing at a phenomenal rate--almost 3/8" of
new shell in a month!)?
<<Mmm...considering this, let's wait for
January and the lighting upgrade...not all that far off anyway.>>
We
won't move him to the main tank until we have appropriate lighting. Do
you think we can place our clam high in the tank with our existing light
for a month or two without the halide lighting or do we need to upgrade
the light before we move him?
<<I vote for waiting.>>
Thanks in
advance for your counsel.
Kathy
<<A pleasure to assist, EricR>>
Clam Lighting & Placement - 12/17/05
Hello again!
<<Howdy!>>
Just had one other quick question I was hoping the crew at Wet Web could
answer.
<<I shall try.>>
Is a Coralife Aqualight Pro 1-150 watt
HQI/ 2-65 watt compact actinic fluorescents/lunar light fixture adequate
lighting to do SPS and clams? I have 46 gallon tank, 18 inches deep w/
mounting legs 4-5inches above tank.
<<Should be fine.>>
If so,
could a clam on two inches of substrate in full light thrive or does it
need to be higher up?
<<This lighting would be fine for a clam at
this depth.>>
Thanks again for any help you can give. This subject
proves to be quite confusing. Thanks, J-Man
<<Maybe this will
help: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm
>>
<<Regards, EricR>>
Lighting for 120 gallon reef with clams 8/15/08
I am in the
process of setting up a 120 (4' x 12" x 12"). I would like to keep
clams. I have been looking at the Nova Extreme T5 lighting fixture
with 8x54 W bulbs. Four of them are 10,000 K daylight bulbs, and the
other four SlimPaq 460nm Actinic for a total of 432 W.
<A nice
fixture.>
Will this be sufficient lighting to keep clams, and
just about anything else in the line of coral that I may want to
keep down the road?
<Yes and no. It greatly depends on the
individual species of clam/coral you wish to keep and where in your
tank. Personally, I would swap out two of the actinics for 10000K
bulbs. Having two vs. four actinics will not change your look too
much. The nice thing about the fluorescent fixtures, T5 included, is
that the placement of the actinics can have a huge impact. Placing
the actinic bulbs at the front of the fixture will give the look
that most want while allowing you to run the balance in daylight
bulbs. Even then it will be a bit weak for a Crocea clam near the
bottom, half way up or higher will be fine, where such a clam should
be anyhow (on the rockwork). For the end all, be all lighting to
keep the critter wherever you want I would think about adding a
couple more bulbs.>
Thank you for your help.
Jeff
<Welcome,
Scott V.>
Re: Lighting for 120 gallon reef with clams 8/15/08
Thanks
Scott,
<Most welcome.>
What do you mean add two more lights?
Do you mean two more in addition to the two that you suggested I ad
to the fixture to replace two of the actinic lights with a 10,000
daylights?
<Yes, if you wish to keep a Crocea or Maxima clam
lower on the rockwork. If you wish to keep them in the upper half or
third of the tank, switching out some of the actinics for daylights
will suffice.>
Or, just add two more 10,000 daylights?
<I
would just substitute the daylights myself, placing the clams a bit
higher.>
What I'd be better off with a halide fixture?
<No, I
am of the “school” that T5s are just as good, the halide advantage
is the shimmer it provides. That being said, anyone still needs
sufficient wattage, even with T5.>
I am trying to get away from
halide, as wonderful as it is, for reasons of heat and cost of
replacement.
<Agreed.>
If clams were not a concern, would the
Nova Extreme light be fine for corals (most in general)?
<Yes,
for most with the correct placement. Adding a few more bulbs gives
you more placement options. Again, for me, I would stick with the
fixture and swap a few bulbs, place livestock where needed.>
Thank you for your help.
<Welcome.>
Best regards,
Jeff
<Have fun, Scott V.> |
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