phosphates=clam death?
- Thread starter zad
- Start date
NO.
I would need a total work up of levels....
Here are some water parameters you should strive for...
* SALINITY:1.024-1.026s.g. Tested with hydrometer
Salinity can be as low as 1.021s.g. for fish only tanks
* PH 8.2-8.4 tested with high range test kit
* TEMPERATURE 76F-83F The key here is to stabilize the temp at a constant number like 79F.
* AMMONIA 0ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* NITRITE 0ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* NITRATE 0-10ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* PHOSPHATES> 0-.03ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit. WARNING! ALGAE BLOOMS CAN OCCUR IF PHOSPHATE LEVELS EXCEED 0.02PPM This can be controlled by using a phosphate resin.
* CALCIUM 380PPM-450PPM Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
WARNING: LOW CALCIUM LEVELS WILL LEAD TO STUNTED GROWTH AND SEVERE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CORALS AND CLAMS
* ALKALINITY 2.5-4.5meg/l Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit. ALKALINITY is a measurement of the systems ability to buffer itself. PH, ALK, CALCIUM are all linked and balanced together. You should strive to keep all levels stable and in balance.
* MAGNESIUM 1250-1350ppm Magnesium should be tested at least once a week and adjusted properly
* STRONTIUM, IODIDE, AND IRON should be dosed weekly per manufacturers directions OVERDOSING IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE!!! DO NOT OVERDOSE!!!
This is a lot of test. Your LFS should be able to test these for you. SUPPORT YOUR LFS!!!
Get actual number readings and not acceptable levels as a answer.
The clam died quick which means a predator or really bad water conditions or a bad clam to begin with.
First we start with your tank water params...then we ask about the clam.
Simple process of elimination.
I would need a total work up of levels....
Here are some water parameters you should strive for...
* SALINITY:1.024-1.026s.g. Tested with hydrometer
Salinity can be as low as 1.021s.g. for fish only tanks
* PH 8.2-8.4 tested with high range test kit
* TEMPERATURE 76F-83F The key here is to stabilize the temp at a constant number like 79F.
* AMMONIA 0ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* NITRITE 0ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* NITRATE 0-10ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
* PHOSPHATES> 0-.03ppm Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit. WARNING! ALGAE BLOOMS CAN OCCUR IF PHOSPHATE LEVELS EXCEED 0.02PPM This can be controlled by using a phosphate resin.
* CALCIUM 380PPM-450PPM Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit
WARNING: LOW CALCIUM LEVELS WILL LEAD TO STUNTED GROWTH AND SEVERE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CORALS AND CLAMS
* ALKALINITY 2.5-4.5meg/l Tested with a saltwater hobbyist test kit. ALKALINITY is a measurement of the systems ability to buffer itself. PH, ALK, CALCIUM are all linked and balanced together. You should strive to keep all levels stable and in balance.
* MAGNESIUM 1250-1350ppm Magnesium should be tested at least once a week and adjusted properly
* STRONTIUM, IODIDE, AND IRON should be dosed weekly per manufacturers directions OVERDOSING IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE!!! DO NOT OVERDOSE!!!
This is a lot of test. Your LFS should be able to test these for you. SUPPORT YOUR LFS!!!
Get actual number readings and not acceptable levels as a answer.
The clam died quick which means a predator or really bad water conditions or a bad clam to begin with.
First we start with your tank water params...then we ask about the clam.
Simple process of elimination.
they only told me that the phosphates were .06ppm ,calcium 420 salinity 1.024, ph 8.4, nitrate 0, nitrite 0, ammonia 0, temp 80, alk stront mag im not sure they didnt tell me but another store told the water was perfect go figure. 2inch maxima clam im leaning towards bad clam all other fish and corals doing great
I agree. Water params are norm.
Clam should of survived.
Next questions...
1. Any predatory white little cone shaped snails near the dead clam? Very small
2. Any fish picking at clam consistentaly?
3. Were there alot of worms on the clam?
That will sum up the predatory concerns.
Now for the clam...
4. Was the clam very open in the store? Gaping?
5. Did the clam shut tight when the store guy went near it? Or shadow passed it?
6. Was the 2 vents in the clam open really wide? These holes should of been open but not look like they were spread apart.
7. Was the mantle out of the shell edges or tucked up close? Edge of clams flesh next to shell
8. Was the clams shell soft? Any holes in it?
Most likely a bad clam. I would buy your next clams from here...
http://www.clamsdirect.com/store/home.php?cat=3
Clam should of survived.
Next questions...
1. Any predatory white little cone shaped snails near the dead clam? Very small
2. Any fish picking at clam consistentaly?
3. Were there alot of worms on the clam?
That will sum up the predatory concerns.
Now for the clam...
4. Was the clam very open in the store? Gaping?
5. Did the clam shut tight when the store guy went near it? Or shadow passed it?
6. Was the 2 vents in the clam open really wide? These holes should of been open but not look like they were spread apart.
7. Was the mantle out of the shell edges or tucked up close? Edge of clams flesh next to shell
8. Was the clams shell soft? Any holes in it?
Most likely a bad clam. I would buy your next clams from here...
http://www.clamsdirect.com/store/home.php?cat=3
no predators near clam followng answers to your questions
4. not gaping
5. yes it would shut
6. they didnt look real spread out looked normal to me
7. mantle was out
8. shell was not soft and no holes
there are 2 pictures of it a few posts down labeled gigas clam or maxima clam
they were taken theday after i bought it one day aftre that it was dead thanks again for your help I will check out that website
4. not gaping
5. yes it would shut
6. they didnt look real spread out looked normal to me
7. mantle was out
8. shell was not soft and no holes
there are 2 pictures of it a few posts down labeled gigas clam or maxima clam
they were taken theday after i bought it one day aftre that it was dead thanks again for your help I will check out that website
Your description of the clam says it was healthy and that your tank is fine as far as water quality goes. Therefore, a sacriical small cheap clam may be needed to investigate a predator. There are many small creatures like the snails I mentioned that could of been missed but still did enough damage to the clam. A Eunicid worm could easily escape detection in the middle of the night along with a large bristle(fire) worm. There are Xanthid black claw crabs that hide in the rock work that could kill and feed on a clam.
The point is water params are fine and by your description you purchased a healthy clam. That leaves predators as the problem. The calm should of acclimated to shipping stress so that should not been the issue.
Try another clam and see what happens. See if the LFS will cut you a deal on one more clam.
The point is water params are fine and by your description you purchased a healthy clam. That leaves predators as the problem. The calm should of acclimated to shipping stress so that should not been the issue.
Try another clam and see what happens. See if the LFS will cut you a deal on one more clam.