derasa lighting and care

[spieszak]

LPS in the sand bed, SPS not far above the sand bed, all doing well and growing. cal 460/alk 8.5/mg 1250. phos not measurable, and trates around 3.
i'm afraid of clams. I want one, but I know i need to do a better than 2inch to help ensure I don't screw up feeding wise. I'm looking at ORA derasa's as from reading, they seem to do ok with lower lighting and can tolerate higher if acclimated.
I'm running a 6 bulb t5 with a single 48 inch stunner mostly for color (blue) on a standard 75. 2 blue, 1 purple plus, and 3 (not sure) daylight bulbs.
Am I nuts to think I could keep a derasa on the bottom of the tank?
If anyone thinks its not nuts, can you give me some pointers as to what to look for once in the tank that will help me know if a large specimen is unhappy? Larger than 2 inches is a pretty large 'hunk of flesh' to have go south....
tips and pointers are always welcome too.

 

[Derbird]

You should be just fine I have a Derasa in my sand bed under T-5 lighting and a maxima up in the rock work. Both are happy and show full mantel extension without reaching for the light. The Derasa seems to like lower flow but not stagnate. When you get your clam be sure to find out what lighting it was under before. If it was under very low light you may want to shade it a bit and slowly move it out in to the light. If it was under brighter light then yours just place it where you want it. It will attach to your substrate. If you place it in your sand it could attach to the bottom of your tank. I put a flat shell under the sand so I could move the clam if needed. They do like some (with in reason) nitrates and phosphates in the water to feed on.

As long as your tank is stable and you find a nice healthy specimen you will be just fine Be sure to post some pictures of your new baby when you find it.

 

[spieszak]

If you wouldn't mind... are they in your 125? so same wdith as a 75 (18 inches?) How many bulbs on the fixture? One thing I struggle with on things that are "new to me" is the definition of lighting. High/medium/low just don't mean enough. Clams are definitely new to me, and because of how my rock work is set there really aren't too many spots available to move up too. I 'scaped with a clam in mind, and could of course rearrange things if I had too, but I'd like to feel a little more confident in the spot I have picked out...
I realize no one can tell me for certain if its going to work out or not... but a clam feels like more 'weight' than a frag. I don't lose many frags, but when I have, there is a bit of comfort in the idea that it was "just a piece" and the coral likely lives on...killing a clam is killing the whole clam. (its kind of crappy logic, and an emotional approach, but knowing that doesn't change that that is how I feel about it)

 

[user 26995]

You should have no problem with a clam. I have had this deresa for a few years now. it grew from 3" to over 8" now under a 6 bulb t5 lighting. I had it set on a rock ledge about 12" below the light.

 

[spieszak]

You should have no problem with a clam. I have had this deresa for a few years now. it grew from 3" to over 8" now under a 6 bulb t5 lighting. I had it set on a rock ledge about 12" below the light

I know it would just be a guess, but do you think/could you theorize if it were 6 inches lower it would have made a difference?

 

[user 26995]

I dont think 6" would make a difference. I had a large squamosa on the sand bed in the same tank. Thats what 20-24" below the light? I think you would be fine with a deresa at any level. As long as the lights were replaced regularly you should be good.

 

[spieszak]

Thanks all.. A week or two to work up the courage (and the funds, lol) and I'll see if I can make one happy.

 

[Derbird]

If you wouldn't mind... are they in your 125? so same wdith as a 75 (18 inches?) How many bulbs on the fixture? One thing I struggle with on things that are "new to me" is the definition of lighting. High/medium/low just don't mean enough. Clams are definitely new to me, and because of how my rock work is set there really aren't too many spots available to move up too. I 'scaped with a clam in mind, and could of course rearrange things if I had too, but I'd like to feel a little more confident in the spot I have picked out...
I realize no one can tell me for certain if its going to work out or not... but a clam feels like more 'weight' than a frag. I don't lose many frags, but when I have, there is a bit of comfort in the idea that it was "just a piece" and the coral likely lives on...killing a clam is killing the whole clam. (its kind of crappy logic, and an emotional approach, but knowing that doesn't change that that is how I feel about it)

I don't mind at all. My tank is 18" wide and 6' long. I have a 5' 8 bulb fixture on it. I originally had the Derasa in the middle on the sand bed but it was getting too much light. I moved it to the corner where the light fixture doesn't quite reach the end. Shading it under a rock ledge would have also done the job The Maxima is about halfway up the rockwork and directly under the light.

 

[tricksterya]

IPisces, that picture doesnt do that clam justice. ITS CRAZY awesome. my favorite still is your Red bubble Anenome. i know its only an Anenome but DANG its huge and Beautiful...

You should have no problem with a clam. I have had this deresa for a few years now. it grew from 3" to over 8" now under a 6 bulb t5 lighting. I had it set on a rock ledge about 12" below the light.

 

[user 26995]

Thanks yeah, this clam was a lot smaller in this pic than it is now.
I hope I can keep it growing for many many many years!

 

[cruzanm]

Nice looking clam!