transporting from the coast.

[txstateunivreefer]

do you think the clams have a potental for lowering dangerous levels of trates etc inside of a tank? ive heard that our maxima derassas etc do contribute to lowering nitrates just curious if those would too

[cbianco]

do you think the clams have a potental for lowering dangerous levels of trates etc inside of a tank? ive heard that our maxima derassas etc do contribute to lowering nitrates just curious if those would too

This is a good question! I have read that the dersa clam is good at lowering nitrates.

Question would be, Are these particular clams either related to the dersa or Are they another type of clam that will infact lower nitrates as well.

Mike was also wondering, since clams are filter feeders, would they provide filter services on a larger level since he has so many of them. I personally would give it a try.

The two potential problems that I can see are;

1. Does Mike in fact have enough disovled organics in his tank to support these clams?

2. What if they started to die off enmass? how much would this affect your tank chemistry.

Let us know how it turns out Mike!

Christopher

[taldrich13]

If they are anything like zebra mussels, they'll do a heck of a job clearing that bucket/your tank.

http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/main.php?co..._invertebrates

Great for scuba diving. Bad for the local critters.

From the website:

Zebra mussels affect natural ecosystems both directly and indirectly. The greatest direct impact relates to the mussel’s feeding behavior. Zebra mussels are filter feeders and process up to 1 gallon of water per day/mussel. During this process, every particle in the water column is removed and either eaten by the mussels or wrapped in mucus and spit out. This feeding ability, in combination with high population densities, rapidly clears the water of even the largest lakes. Since zebra mussels became established in Lake Erie, water clarity has increased from 6 inches to 30 feet in some areas. Unfortunately, the material removed from the water consists of other live animals and algae that supply food for larval fish and other invertebrates. In response to this changing food supply, populations of some animals have begun to decline.

I wonder how effective they'd be at replacing your skimmer :o

[taldrich13]

How about an update, Mike? Are they still alive and keeping the water clear?

I'm going to the coast next weekend and wondering if I should pick some up for myself.

[Richard]

do you think the clams have a potental for lowering dangerous levels of trates etc inside of a tank? ive heard that our maxima derassas etc do contribute to lowering nitrates just curious if those would too

Absolutely but it takes alot of them. I think you need to find a species that would fair better in our aquariums long term, not ones that live in a surf zone. Someday I want to go down and do some collecting in the grass beds, I'm sure if there are any small sandbed bivalve species there that they would be better suited to aquarium/refugium life. IPSF sells some but it would be a small fortune to get enough to make a real difference IMO.

Self Edited - You missed one Brian.

[mathias]

I would wonder about the clams or mussels waste? with cleaning so much of the debris or other stuff in the water what is it putting back into the water?

[greenmako]

Thread has been cleaned up any off topic post on this thread will result in a warning

[C.Mydas]

This is such a great thread! Are they still alive?