species discussion: T. gigas

[hobogato]

reference thread for those thinking about housing this species.

please post anything and everything about your experience with gigas clams. some things you might include:

pics
how big was it when you got it?
how long have you had it?
what are the specifics for its care in your tank (lighting, flow, placement in tank, special feeding, etc)?
problems to look out for
anything else you can think of

[Troy Valentine]

Then: 8x11 http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?40558-Giant-Gigas-Clam-Beautiful-Blue-Pattern&highlight=large+gigas+clam
Now: 12x18 http://www.maast.org/album.php?albumid=211&attachmentid=9786
http://www.maast.org/album.php?albumid=211&attachmentid=9787

Tank: 240 (8'x2'x2')
Lighting: 3-250watt Icecap MH w/Luminarc Mini Reflectors 12K Reeflux bulbs
Flow: Tunzes mounted near surface for maximum agitation. 3350gph on each side of the tank, facing the center of the tank.
Current Calcium Demand: 3 cups Turbo Calcium/3 1/2 cups Baking Soda per week w/dosing pump, Kalk reactor is used for top off water.
Skimmers: 6"x28" Beckett, 6"x28" Needlewheel both skimmer are Matt Monsters

THE CLAM

Clam Placement: Directly under the Halide, with plenty of room for it to move around and not destroy the rock work. A Tunze 6080(2250gph) is 12" above the mantle providing the clam nice gentle flow. Just enough to clean any debris off, but not enough to cause any mantle movement. IMHO gentle advection across the mantle is key for long term success with larger clams i've kept.

Clam Behavior: This clam loves to snuggle up against the rock work. The problem is this clam is too powerful to be contained with small 10 to 30lbs pieces of live rock. Maybe if you had 60+lbs pieces this might work. So for now I'll just move the clam back to its open spot on the sand. Once or twice a day the clam will give a forceful blast of water out its Sipon and Intake aperture to clear it of any waste. Sometimes this can be felt outside the aquarium.

Feeding: Photosynthetic, and whatever small Nano algae it gets from water column, no target feeding required. However, I like to keep a nutrient rich system. Sometimes I will slowly ween my system to be skimmerless for months at a time.

Predators: Cleaner Shrimp... I had a problem with one eating a large piece of the shell. I have never heard of this behavior before, but it is something to be aware of. I am extremely cautious of any fish I introduce to the aquarium, since they could aquire a taste for CLAM.

Calcium Depand: Upon introduction my calcium demands doubled.... Literally. They are calcium vacuums. I had a 10" Derasa which I had to part with in June (It's still at AD if anyone wants it). Just by getting rid of that clam I was able to reduce my calcium demands by 1/3. This is something to keep in mind if you decide to keep a large clam.

[Pennies2Cents]

Hey Troy, Nice post. :)

Very informative, :) And yes I have seen that clam.. Its awesome..

[hobogato]

what a monster! how long have you had it troy?

[Troy Valentine]

I got it Feb. 9, 2008, and I believe Andrew had it a year or so. But from what I can remember he wasn't the original owner. This clams been around...... I've read that Gigas clams can live over 100 years. I would love to Will this to my grandchildren. Instead of money I will leave them a Giant Clam....

[hobogato]

that is really inspiring troy.