Clam in RSM 130d

theres a small, sketchy family run store that I went to a few times, there fish are always sick and dying and they seem to always give you bad information to make a sale, But they were telling me that they had a maxima clam that was just about dead so they put it in one of there jbj nano cubes with the power compact lighting, and it completly recovered and lived in there for a long time untill the guy took it home to put in his own tank. Again not a place I would trust very much but They didnt have any clams in stock and he knew I had just bought a clam so he wasnt telling me that just to make a sale. but I also didnt have the knowledge to debate it.

 

Thanks for the info! I have decided to get the clam! That is one beautiful Deresa! If you do not mind me asking, how much did you pay for such a nice one like that? (Just so I can gauge what a fair price is)
Thanks
JJL

 

Thanks. I think I paid around 40 for it. they also had alot of clams so if thats alot cheaper then what they are charging you then it might just be because they were trying to get rid of some

 

You are correct Seano.

As for T5 lighting and clams- have a look at my deressa, and my crocea- the tank is 24 inches deep, under 6 T5's.

T5 work just fine, but you need to use the correct kelvin. All be it, Halides do a better job IMHO, BUT, T5 wins because you can add different kelvin bulbs.

 

So I found out the EXACT lighting I have. They are 2 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps...confused? T5/Power Compact??????? Could I sustain a Deresa. I copied then pasted from the RSM website...THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAID?!?! In the gallery (the animals that they tested the RSM could keep) They had a deresa and a maxima. I want an unbiased opinion though.
JJL

 

Bump.....???Is the lighting enough for a Deresa?What exactly does T5 Power Compact mean? They are 10,000k. Thanks!
JJL

 

IT would be on the very lower end of what is required- it can be done, but, deressa's prefer the sand bed- I would consider better lighting. Better lighting will serve you well come time for future additions, when considering your live stock choices.

T5 has (generally speaking) 3-5 times the output CF at the same energy usuage. Metal Halide and HO LED raise the bar even higher.

 

But...note..... that the tank is not very tall at all. Do you think I coud keep one healthy? I understand better lighting really helps, but I am not ready to upgrade yet. Is the lighting enough so to speak? Thanks for all of your help! It did say T5 Power Compact though...combonation of the 2? Very confused
JJL

 

not sure y it says t5 power compacts,,, i would call what you have power compact lights.. which in your tank should be ok.. its hard to say tho, bc with clams especially you just never know..ive seen a guy keep a maxima under pcs and it was beautiful and thrived, literally, yeah it was at the top but it was still done...clams are just different, theirs not alot of info on them, as far as why sometime they just die..but my crocea has been through some sh%%, the rock its on has fallen so many times and has always hung in there... and ive seen some clams die in other people tanks for no reason, perfect water, plenty of lighting and flow, just straight up died.. if i were you, i would buy a derasa, give it a shot, and just use your judgement...if your clam starts to try and spread out real wide then you dont have enough light and may have to move it closer to the top, but like the other person said, derasa like the soft sand feeling and sometimes will not latch on to a rock like a crocea, but if you have a flat rock then you should be ok..

 

Ok thanks for the info Saints. I am going to go for it and put it on the sand....does that sound ok or should I just put it on the rock from the start?
JJL