Clams make beautiful, decorative structures on the bottom of your aquarium and are a wonderful low-maintenance addition to any tank.Even though they are low maintenance, they still need work.With a little knowledge, you can make clams into a part of your aquatic environment.
Step 1: Place clams in tanks that have been there a long time.
Clams are not plants and are often marketed as such.This is not completely true.Unlike plants, which use light to make food, clams are filter feeders, meaning that they eat small organisms in the water.Your clams could starve without proper care because a brand new tank won't have any other life.
Step 2: A sandy bottom is needed for clams.
clams like to hide and feel safe, sitting in the bottom of the tank and filtering out all the food waste and leftovers that drift down to the floorYou want 4 inches of sand for them to build their nest.If you've taken it from a natural environment, make sure you rinse it off before adding it to the tank.You want something with a grain size between 1 and 3mm.
Step 3: Add other fish to your aquarium to make it more vibrant.
Coldwater fish and snails create food waste that can be used to feed clams.Most clams need little maintenance beyond the occasional checkup, as they eat the leftovers of the other fish.They can help keep your tank clean.It is best to keep freshwater puffers, catfish, and loaches in separate tanks because they all eat clams.
Step 4: Feeding your clams natural food for 1-2 weeks.
clams need some extra food to thrive in newer tanks with fewer organisms because they can eat a lot of the leftover food.This is important if you have a lot of adult clams.You can buy clam food at your local pet store, or you can make your own by pureeing it and giving it to your clams.
Step 5: The speed at which a clam closes its mouth is used to measure health.
If it feels like it is being threatened, a good clam will spring closed quickly.This is a natural defense mechanism.Pull your clams out every few weeks to make sure they close up quickly.It can be difficult to find dead clams since they bury themselves in the sand, but you can do it yourself.The clams should be put into the container.The tops are visible at the top if they are covered in sand.Whenever you need to check on your clams, put the container at the bottom of your tank.
Step 6: Dead clams need to be removed from your tank.
Animals in the tank can be damaged or even killed by the large spike of ammonia released by dead clams.It's important that you check your clams regularly.Make sure they are still close to each other.If they don't close, they should be thrown away.Dead clams have a smell.If you don't know if a clam is dead, make a small tank.If they begin to react after 4-5 days, feed them and give them a nice sandy bottom.
Step 7: Don't rely on clams to get rid of pollutants in your water.
Clams are not water filters and will not keep your tank clean.You need a water purification system, plants, and monitored water levels to make sure your tank is healthy and happy.
Step 8: Don't place saltwater clams in new aquariums.
It's not possible to add saltwater to a tank and expect a clam to survive, as it needs a variety of microorganisms to be well established before it can feed.Aquariums that have had several weeks or months to cycle are best for clams.The saltwater clams are called T. (Tridacna) maxima.The best clams for beginners are the Tridacna derasa clams.You're likely to be ready for clams once you've successfully put several fish in the tank.
Step 9: clams can establish themselves at the bottom of the tank
It's never a good idea to place a clam on a rock.It can cause a lot of damage if it detaches and falls.Solid rocky bottoms are fine, as saltwater clams attach a foot to the bottom of the tank.If you put the clam in the tank, turn it upside-down to remove air bubbles.The clams can't open up if they are wedged into anything.
Step 10: Ensure that your clams have good lighting.
Plants in your tank are fed off of products from saltwater clams.The energy that the clams harvest comes from the top section of their mantles.They love the bright lights that feed under.Metal Halides are the best option.The clams should not be blocked from the light source.The clams need 250 - 400 watt Metal Halide lighting or equivalent intensity to survive.
Step 11: The water should be kept low and calm.
Clams don't like fast or rapid water because it makes it hard for them to remove food from the water.Slow moving currents are the best way to keep your clams happy.Keep your clams away from pumps and fans.
Step 12: Keep the nitrate andphosphate levels low.
Clams are likely to survive in a saltwater tank.If you're not already, keep the levels close to zero.
Step 13: How quickly a clam closes its mouth is important.
When exposed to a shadow, a clam should close up quickly.Your tank could be having chemical issues if it does not get more food and light.If a clam doesn't close up, it may be dead, and should be quickly removed.Dead clams release a burst of ammonia, which can endanger the rest of the life in your tank.