The matter of where to position a clam, especially Tridacna varieties is not easy to resolve because of the fact that different types have different requirements. Here are a few tips though that relate to positioning and other matters:
This document deals only with where to position clams in your aquarium. The positioning can indeed be a problem as different clams have different lighting requirements, and therefore need to be placed in particular ways so that they fully open and are not restricted in any way when they wish to fully expand.
--- Clams need to be placed straight up, facing the light
--- Clams like good water current to go by them so they can uptake nutrients
--- Clams like sandy bottoms but do not necessarily require them
--- Clams can be placed on rocks or other surfaces. There are caveats. See below
--- The surface needs to be as flat as possible
--- For the clam to remain upright you may need to shore it up a little
--- This is best done by placing small pieces of crushed coral around the base
--- After a few days to a week or more the clam will attach itself to the rock
--- At that point loose rocks can be removed
--- The area selected should be in a well-lighted part of the tank
--- Clams with a brownish mantle need less light than others
--- Small clams do not require as much light as large ones
--- Keep any other animals that may damage the clam well away from them
--- If placed at the bottom, make sure enough light reaches them
--- Make sure nothing inhibits or prevents the clam from being able to open fully
--- Never place a clam inside a crevice in a rock, this will inhibit its opening fully
--- You can use a small cup to place the clam in but in this manner it will not attach This will allow you to reposition it should such be necessary.
--- Clams that need lots of light may need to be moved towards the surface. Most clams need a lot of blue light in the spectrum of the bulb you are using (more than most other animals).
--- Whether you need to do so depends on the type of lighting you are using
--- Before buying a clam read up as much as possible on its requirements and know which species you acquired. There are many species and not all need as much light as others do. Read up on what the exact requirements are. For instance derasa clams need far less blue light than gigantea or maxima clams.
--- Note that in some case supplemental feeding may be necessary. Use small foods only. Clams do not feed on large chunks of food. Make sure the chunks are real small and use good quality foods, e.g. shrimp or scallop meat (a blender is good utensil to make the food to the right size).
--- Keep your calcium levels real high. This is necessary for growth and survival. 450 ppm min. is recommended.
--- Keep corals with sweeper tentacles well away from any clam you may have. Stinging by other corals will damage the mantle of your clam and result in decay if you are not careful. Use vitamin C to fortify the clams and other animals in the tank. Read the vitamin C article on our web site for more details (in the SW Library).
Lots more can be said about Clams, as I am sure you realize. I have just given you some tips. For excellent info see my upcoming book and The Reef Aquarium by Sprung and Delbeek, also check the soon to be released A Practical Guide to Corals for the Reef Aquarium.
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