Clam Tank Advice...Project completed!!!

[don-n-sa]

OK, I would like some help / input from all Maastards on my future plan to add a clam tank into my system. This tank will be plumbed into my current 400g system. Since I have never had a clam I need a lot of help ie...lighting , tank dimensions, use of sand, disease prevention, and general care.

Pics and questions to follow:

Pic 1 shows my display and shows the hallway ( on left ) where I am going to put the clam tank.

PIC 1
http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193880-L.jpg


Pic 2 side shot gives a better picture on the location, it is the area to the left of the closet door

PIC 2

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193882-L.jpg




Pic 3 gives a closer look to the wall where the clam tank is going to be, note that there is 55" of space from left to right.

PIC 3

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193884-M.jpg


Pic 4 is a look at the hallway as you are walking in, note that the hallway is 57.5 " wide.

PIC 4

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193887-M.jpg


Pic 5 and pic 6 just shows how I have and extra supply coming from my return pump that is in my closet/pump room.


PIC 5

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193890-M.jpg


PIC 6

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/69193878-M.jpg

AGAIN, I would like anyone and everyone's input on this, thank you in advance.

[LoneStar]

need to edit your img code

photos are not showing

[don-n-sa]

Correcting now....this is a pain in the __________

[LoneStar]

Looks better now. Are you going custom built or a standard size tank. How far out out from the wall will you go? Looks like a busy hallway location, but easy to plumb in.

[don-n-sa]

Not sure yet, I know that I don't want to take up all the 55" from left to right, I was thinking of a either 36" long or 48" long tank , as for width yeah busy for sure, 18" max width IMO so far.

[LoneStar]

A 75 gallon would make a nice size tank. Easy to come by too. I can't recall the depth of it but it will be 48" long. Probably two 250w halides for some strong light.

[dwdenny]

What about a 40g Breeder 36"X18"X16" wont need a ton of light. 2X175 would work as well as T5's. Same footprint is a 65 I think but 4" taller. HTH

[don-n-sa]

I like the 75g but they all have a center brace right? I am trying to stay away from center bracing. I like the breeder idea. One thing that I am thinking of is to have an open top so you can look down on the clams. Not set on that just thinking that it would be cool, but then the tank would have to be low so hmmm.

I don't want to skimp on light, I have t-5's on my display and love them, but I am most likely going with halides for this tank. I want multiple rare brightly colored clams for this tank.

[LoneStar]

The breader may be better then. Or something similar to that size. Possibly use pendants for the lights. Have a raisable system to lower/rasie the lights while looking at the clams. An open air design, possibly a open stand would make it look really neat. That is if you plumb the drains into you existing sump.

If a glass aquarium would be hard to find, how about building a acrylic tank? Make it reef ready with corner overflows. Are you thinking sand and clams? Or adding live rock with some fish and the clams?

[cbianco]

What about a propogation tank? It would be lower and you could look down into it. You could get it built to your specifications.

Christopher

[don-n-sa]

Yes it will drain into my sump, I was thinking of a calflow with a 1.5" drain.

Its looking like a custom job huh, hey I wonder if the Maast Ace would be available to help takle this project???? Oh Ace where are you? :lol

[don-n-sa]

What about a propogation tank? It would be lower and you could look down into it. You could get it built to your specifications.

Christopher

Thats also a great Idea!

thanks Christopher, now I really don't know what I am going to do. :D

[GaryP]

Don, have you ever seen the purpose built clams tanks? Mistie was the only one I knew of locally that had one. Of course she had sea horses in it. From what I have read, the clams will certainly help your nitrate issue. I've read where some large scale frag farmers use clams in a raceway as a nitrate scrubber.

[cbianco]

Thats also a great Idea!

thanks Christopher, now I really don't know what I am going to do. :D

I was thinking something like a touch tank, only without the touching, LOL.

I am sure what ever you decide it will come out great!

Christopher :)

[don-n-sa]

Don, have you ever seen the purpose built clams tanks? Mistie was the only one I knew of locally that had one. Of course she had sea horses in it. From what I have read, the clams will certainly help your nitrate issue. I've read where some large scale frag farmers use clams in a raceway as a nitrate scrubber.


Those tanks are waaay to wide for this hallway, and yes this will be my final stage in nitrate control.

[GaryP]

here is one:

[don-n-sa]

ok , you got my attention with that pic.

Who, where, how and how much????? 8)

[GaryP]

That was one I found on the net on a forum. He got it from ClamsDirect. I just checked their website to see if I could get dimensions and it says its closed to restock. I thin Jim said they were having a hard time getting clams from the S. Pacific. You may just have to call them. Someone here probably has a phone number for Barry if its not available on the website. If nothing else, you can probably reach Barry on the forum.

[mathias]

I would not do sand at all in this tank..... you have enough sand in the first tank.... I would do a shallow 14inch tank with lights you could raise up and look straight down into....

[GaryP]

I bet Dan could build it.

[mathias]

or get that one clam tank where the water was running over the sides :)

[GaryP]

That would be hard to do on a tank sitting flush against a wall. Can you say moldy sheetrock?

[don-n-sa]

I bet Dan could build it.

He is never on maast anymore, the last pm I sent to him was never replied. Is he still doing acrylic work?

[don-n-sa]

I would not do sand at all in this tank

I have heard conflicting info on this, then just barebottom?

[GaryP]

Yea, I have talked to Dan a couple of times lately. He's still around making wet/drys and overflows for the LFS. I'll PM you a phone number.

If no sand, then what are you going to set the clams on? Bare acrylic? I suppose you could use pvc unions but I'm not sure how attractive that would be.

[villjr]

Like that tank, But i don't think they sell them anymore.

[mathias]

No sand but rock...... everytime I have had a clam a **** fish has put sand in it..... so if you do sand just a little and no fish... or put clams on rocks and have fish... and no need for a DSB because plumbed to excisting tank....

[Richard]

I just got an oceanview 75 gallon without a centerbrace. I also got a 55 tub from them which is 36"L x 18"w x 20"H that does not have a centerbrace.

For lighting I am thinking of going with MH/T5 fixtures from aquatinics. www.aquactinics.com

[TroyPham]

don't kno if anyone remembers my humble clam tank or not.

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=9509&high light=
http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=8780&high light=

sand is good. some clams need sand.

[GaryP]

Troy, you're tank was referred to someplace earlier in this thread. Its still awesome and hardly humble! Someone suggested something like your's but since Don's tank has to be placed flush against a wall in a hallway, I suggested that your design wouldn't be practical for his application.

[TroyPham]

Gary,

i will soon release verson 2.0 of that tank. BETTER,FASTER,MORE CLAMS

[gjuarez]

Like you mentioned Don, I would skip the t5s and go with mh on this one. Maximas and Croceas are very light demanding. RC has a very informative forum just on clams. Lots of great info. What type of clams are you planning to keep?

Troy, thats a very nice tank. i never did understand how you provided flow or filtration? Is there something there I dont see?

[GaryP]

i will soon release verson 2.0 of that tank. BETTER,FASTER,MORE CLAMS
It sure pushes the Calfo concept to the extreme.

[matt]

I would second the 40 breeder idea, on a fairly low stand so you can easily look down. Clams are much more beautiful when looked from above. You could also consider a mirror at a 45o angle against the wall above the tank so you could look down into the tank without leaning over it.

If you do go for an acrylic tank, I would suggest you get someone to build it that has good experience working with cast acrylic; don't build it out of extruded. Especially if you're plumbing this into your entire system, I'm sure you understand the catastrophe that a seam failure would cause. The best guy I know of is in Portland Ore. This would be a small tank so I'm sure he could ship. But, I have a feeling the 40 breeder set up to look at the clams from above is the best bet, and much less expensive. Since you'd primarily be viewing the clams from above, why spend extra money to get the clarity of acrylic.

One other thing ocurrs to me, I bet you've already thought of it. It would be a good idea to be able to isolate this tank and still have plenty of circulation for the clams. That would make feeding DTs or some other live phyto a breeze.

[hammondegge]

how is it working Troy? i have been working on a similar tank design and would love to know if you learned anything that might be useful.
robert

[TroyPham]

it worked great before i took it down to move. It has a home with a dfwmas member. he has it up and running but i'm not sure how it looks.

the only think i am gonna do differnet is make the over flow in the back center or make the tank glass. having to clean 4 sides in and out is a bit of a pain.

give me a call if you have any questions Robert. I'll be glad to help if i can.

troy 361-779-7327

[hammondegge]

i will be calling you, thanks troy.

[don-n-sa]

OK I have been busy lately...the Clam tank set up is now complete. It is connected to my system which is now over 400g. Now some advice on the Livestuff!!!!

BTW the light is a Hamilton custom OAK hood with a 250w DE 10k and 2x24 HO T-5 actinic, also with 2 built in fans

The tank was bought from "apredoza" here on MAAST, it is a way cool 40g stretch HEX. I really like this tank because it will let me have multiple clams at different angles and it is open on top for the ultimate way of looking at clams.

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334435-M.jpg

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334671-M.jpg

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334827-M.jpg

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334841-M.jpg

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334865-M.jpg

http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334916-M.jpg

[cpreefguy]

Sweeeeeetttt :)

[blueboy]

looks nice, kind of empty, but nice. i almost got that tank, but you beat me to it, nice size and shape.

[scuba_steveo]

your wife is cool

[Ross]

man somebody drilled some nice holes in that thing ;)

[TexasTodd]

your wife is cool


"Ditto"

:)

Todd

[apedroza]

Hey Don glad to see the tank up and running, and that you were able to drill the holes in it. The tank looks great can't wait to see it full.

[LoneStar]

I thought I rememberd this post. :)

Nice tank. I like the hanging canopy. The stand works well. I like the furniture look. It goes well with the walkway.

[don-n-sa]

your wife is cool

Yes...three more hole in the wall for this one... :blink


man somebody drilled some nice holes in that thing ;)

Great Job Ross...no leaks!!




your wife is cool

"Ditto"

:)

Todd

Hmm...I think we all do 8)



I thought I rememberd this post. :)

Nice tank. I like the hanging canopy. The stand works well. I like the furniture look. It goes well with the walkway.


Thanks! The hood is sweet I highly recommend Hamilton, the stand is a piece of furniture literally, my wife liked it so we ditched the stand that came with it...don't worry it is stronger than the stand that came with.

[LoneStar]

I kinda miss that hat rack though :cry

[don-n-sa]

I kinda miss that hat rack though :cry

I guess you missed this then.... :lol


http://don-n-sa.smugmug.com/photos/103334435-M.jpg

[LoneStar]

:w00t