just bought new corals

[pete_ra]

heres my new corals, i got a brain and a bunch of hairy mushrooms. The hairy mushrooms look great. The brain looks really small now, when i bought it it was bigger than a soft ball but has shrunk, probably from aclamation. Your welcome to comment on if i should change aything, current, lighting, placment. I have 192watts PC. I got them both for $74. BTW, my LFS is having a sale cuz they are moving. They have a bunch of clams only 2" long, how much light do they need? They were under vhos on the substate. Would i be crazy about thinking about getting them?

[phistio]

clams that small could be kept, but they require localized feedingat the say 2" size they're dependant on nutrition rather than lighting...but as they grow bigger they become seemingly dependant on lighting...

speaking from experience, i however suggest that you leave them for someone else...unless you plan to upgrade lighting to say MH's...

[ASOYER]

It depends on the type of clams-my experience has been that >2.5" have a better chance of survival. They still require feedings up to 4+inches usually. Lower light clams such as a derasa, squamosa or hippopus would be OK with PC lighting if higher in tank. If they are maximas or croceas I would pass w/ your present lighting. Adam

[RazerCorals]

I disagree, all the show clams should be kept under MH. They are almost fully light dependent at 4" plus. Therefore the strongest light should be provided. Under 4" They should be fed phytoplankton and have moderate to high lighting.

[michealprater]

I was wondering, if you do keep a clam under low light and just feed it will its colors be as good?

[phistio]

MP...

likely not...

it's only a matter of time before the clam becomes more and more dependant on lighting for photosynthesis. not only will the color be affected, but also the general health of the clam. there will be a recession in mantle output, and a gapening in the filter. once the clam starts taking on these characteristics it's near impossible to revive them.

so...let's say you plan to keep juvenile clams under lower lighting levels...

you spot feed, and spot feed...they grow a bit. at the same time they are not getting the same amount of lighting that they would need as an adult. you spot feed more, and now your clam seems a bit drab, though he's grown about 1/2" or more. you start seeing signs of declining health, and you start thinking of putting the clam in your buddies reef who has 2x's 400w MH's over his monster reef. the clam is not used to intense lighting as it has never accelerated it's growth for such. after a week in your buddies tank, an already stressed clam now is for lack of better terms "shocked."

it's this reason i suggest that clams be brought up in the proper lighting from the get go.