View Full Version : thinking about getting a clam.
maverick1320
06-30-2009, 8:24 PM
Can anyone tell me if a T5 is enough light to keep a clam. My wife has been driving me crazy and won't leave me alone. I think she wants one more then me. I've been tring to research them but can't find much on them. Are there any reef tank mates that can't be kept with them ? what is thier care level ? Any info on this would be great !!
A single t5 bulb is nowhere near enough light to keep a clam. What light fixture on what size tank do you have?
maverick1320
06-30-2009, 8:33 PM
I have a 36" light with a double bulb on a 36" long x 12in wide . It's a 45 gallon tank. It's 30 inches tall. It's a wierd size because I custom built it into my wall.
Unfortunately that is not enough light o keep a clam, honestly on such a deep tank (if it is a standard 45 gallon tank) you'd need I'd say at least a 250watt metal halide to keep one.
Amphiprion
06-30-2009, 8:43 PM
Agreed. A minimum of a four bulb fixture (with individual reflectors) would be necessary, preferably more. You can keep clams under T5s, however. Most prefer to be on rocks, so height is usually not that much of an issue, unless you have a low structure.
maverick1320
07-01-2009, 5:12 AM
Thanks for the info..... time to let the wife down easy...
Don't disappoint the wife... buy new lights!!!!!!
Really, with most corals you are going to need more lights anyway... You can get a good T5 setup for a reasonable price these days. Plus, clams are good for you...
I use a MH fixture for mine, but since you said that the tank is built into a wall I would think MH would be problematic due to heat issues. But getting a nice t5ho setup would work great and really improve your viewing pleasure. What kinda clams are you guys thinking about?
gorfre
07-01-2009, 9:57 AM
Can anyone tell me if a T5 is enough light to keep a clam. My wife has been driving me crazy and won't leave me alone. I think she wants one more then me. I've been tring to research them but can't find much on them. Are there any reef tank mates that can't be kept with them ? what is thier care level ? Any info on this would be great !!
i've been told that a t5 will support a clam but 8 tubes should be used.
this is how it was explained to me.
2 tubes fine for fish and live rock
4 tubes fine for fish rock and soft coral
6 tubes fine for fish rock soft and hard coral
and 8 tubes if clams are to be used
hope this may help
Amphiprion
07-01-2009, 12:21 PM
i've been told that a t5 will support a clam but 8 tubes should be used.
this is how it was explained to me.
2 tubes fine for fish and live rock
4 tubes fine for fish rock and soft coral
6 tubes fine for fish rock soft and hard coral
and 8 tubes if clams are to be used
hope this may help
8 tubes aren't necessary--not even six if it is a good fixture/setup. There are many people that can vouch for this.
maverick1320
07-01-2009, 5:41 PM
I have a 2 bulb T5 right now. Granted my tank is only 12 in wide so I couldn't use 6-8 tubes if I wanted. Since it's built into the wall I don't have much room to put 4. It's plently bright. As far as needing 4-6 for hard or soft corals I would def disagree. I have shrooms, xenia, zoos's, torch, etc. They all grow like weeds.... I got my first SPS about a month ago just for a trial. Obviously got him close to the top but it's been doing real well. Can't remember the exact name of it. I've been trying to find it online but can't find anything similar. It's flourencent yellow/green. I'll get a pic up later maybe someone knows.
maverick1320
07-01-2009, 7:58 PM
I have a 2 bulb T5 right now. Granted my tank is only 12 in wide so I couldn't use 6-8 tubes if I wanted. Since it's built into the wall I don't have much room to put 4. It's plently bright. As far as needing 4-6 for hard or soft corals I would def disagree. I have shrooms, xenia, zoos's, torch, etc. They all grow like weeds.... I got my first SPS about a month ago just for a trial. Obviously got him close to the top but it's been doing real well. Can't remember the exact name of it. I've been trying to find it online but can't find anything similar. It's flourencent yellow/green. I'll get a pic up later maybe someone knows.
These pics arent great but this is what i built.
fsn77
07-01-2009, 10:12 PM
If I had to guess from the pic, I would say your SPS is probably Hydnophora, which is frequently regarded as one of the hardiest SPS corals commonly available.
Two T5s will not support a clam in your tank, even if it cooperated and stayed on the rocks near the top. Even if it would stay up there, I fear your rock work is not tall enough to get a clam close enough to the lights to be ok. If it was somehow, it would pretty much be a waste of getting a clam, as to really see the brilliant coloration of a clam, it has to be viewed from above.
Yes, when utilized properly (an adequate number of quality bulbs and individual reflectors), T5 HO lighting is definitely good enough to keep a clam.
As a side note, regardless of how bright the lighting on any tank may seem, visual brightness as seen by the human eye is at best a poor proxy for actual lighting intensity or a measure for how appropriate lighting may be for keeping coral.
maverick1320
07-01-2009, 10:35 PM
These are the reasons I'm asking. I try to research anything I buy. If the lighting not is strong enough then I won't get one. As they are living animals I wouldn't want to kill something.
cam191919
07-01-2009, 11:42 PM
get some halides! a nice tank like that deserves nice corals
maverick1320
07-02-2009, 12:42 AM
The problem is proper ventilation. I need to cut a hold into the attic and install a temp sensored fan. That's a work in progress.
The MH lights would be a problem, I agree. They do produce a considerable amount of heat. But you should still be able to do a DIY T5ho fixture with multiple lights. Even at 12" wide you could fit quite a few in there.
That is one cool lookin' tank. Not sure about the SPS. It may just be the picture, but it looks like it is starting to bleach a bit on the underside. Are you getting good polyp extension on it? Just looks very brown on the underside.
cjtabares
07-02-2009, 10:22 AM
My unit has 6 t5s across with a with of about 12'' i think if that’s the only reason you don’t think it will work you might want to look into it if you want. I don’t want to sound like i am trying to push you into changing your set up, if you are happy the way things are and things are working for you leave it the way you have it.
This is the unit I have but mine is 72'' long you would only need the 36'' unit. It is only 12'' wide if you interested.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=Current_USA_Nova_Extreme _Pro_T5_HO_Fixture_%3c_20_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Ligh t_Fixtures&vendor=Current_USA&idProduct=CU01083&idCategory=FILTFIT5T5