High Nitrates

[DonW]

Clams may use some nitrates but are not a way to reduce or control them. Can they live under t-5's? To make a blanket "yes" statement would be false. There are to many variables, bulb, reflectors, balast, tank depth and water clarity are just a few. I would love to go t-5 but for now halides are my only option. As far as nitrate control, pick a system that fits you and your budget. Chaeto will work or a good skimmer, but I think its a either or thing.

Don

 

[Fishead77]

Get the homedepot 2.7kK spiral CF floodlamps (23watts each, 4 for 19.99) over that chaeto. I would imagine the nitrates and phosphates will drop straight to zero as soon as the problem with the chaeto growth is solved.

I just have one 23 watt bulb on it now. It's a small sump, maybe I'll put a strip light on it and see how it goes.

 

[Fishead77]

The hang on power filter. Does it have a bio wheel? How often do you change the fliters.
It would probley be best to stop feeding the softies. They really dont need it. Just put a fish or two in there and feed it. They will feed the softies for you just fine.

No it doesn't have a bio-wheel. I heard those don't work for saltwater anyway. I change or clean the filter every couple of weeks. I will stop feeding the softies or at least cut WAY back. I have no fish in the tank because the tank had ick. I will be putting them back in with in the next few days. I checked there salinty level and they are at 1.20 and the tank is at 1.23, so we're getting close

 

[Fishead77]

Clams may use some nitrates but are not a way to reduce or control them. Can they live under t-5's? To make a blanket "yes" statement would be false. There are to many variables, bulb, reflectors, balast, tank depth and water clarity are just a few. I would love to go t-5 but for now halides are my only option. As far as nitrate control, pick a system that fits you and your budget. Chaeto will work or a good skimmer, but I think its a either or thing.
Don

Don, do you know the difference between T5's and power compact's? I have heard good things about both but I don't know which would be better to try to have a clam under. Thx.

 

[Fishead77]

Thanks for all the feedback. I made my first water change and re tested. It is lower but still high (from 50 to 20). I will do another water change tommorow and will continue until it is down close to zip, zero, nada. Going forward I will increase the light level on my chaeto and stop feeding my softies. With fish back in the tank maybe I won't feed the softies at all and just see how they do

 

[DonW]

Don, do you know the difference between T5's and power compact's? I have heard good things about both but I don't know which would be better to try to have a clam under. Thx.

I would try t5's before I tried pc's. The problem I see is getting enough tubes over your tank. But again that all depends on your dimensions. I have 750w of MH and there is no way to get that many t5's over my tank. Remember it not all about watts. You need to get the intensity to have the light deep enough. I think time will tell when it come to t5's. Be patient and definatly dont use clams as a nitrate filter.

Don

 

[james734]

I have no fish in the tank because the tank had ick. I will be putting them back in with in the next few days. I checked there salinty level and they are at 1.20 and the tank is at 1.23, so we're getting close

You did hypo on the main display with Inverts in there?

 

[james734]

I have no fish in the tank because the tank had ick. I will be putting them back in with in the next few days. I checked there salinty level and they are at 1.20 and the tank is at 1.23, so we're getting close

Nevermind.. I miss read read it.. "I checked there salinty level" so I assuming this means there in QT..

 

[Fishead77]

I would try t5's before I tried pc's. The problem I see is getting enough tubes over your tank. But again that all depends on your dimensions. I have 750w of MH and there is no way to get that many t5's over my tank. Remember it not all about watts. You need to get the intensity to have the light deep enough. I think time will tell when it come to t5's. Be patient and definatly dont use clams as a nitrate filter.

Don

Ok Don, I've been wanting a clam but not the MH. I've heard that you can keep them w/o MH's.

 

[Fishead77]

Nevermind.. I miss read read it.. "I checked there salinty level" so I assuming this means there in QT..

Yeh, hypo in QT not display. I didn't take the LR out of the QT tank though. It all died - DUHHHH!

 

[DonW]

Ok Don, I've been wanting a clam but not the MH. I've heard that you can keep them w/o MH's.

I'm not saying it cant be done. You just need to do some research. Maybe talk to some people that have done it for a long time. I personally cant think of any that have done it for to long. There are plenty of new systems out there with t5's and clams, but like I said earlier time will tell.

Don

 

[MarineTeng]

well i would start with the lesser light clams, dersea squamosa, and hippomus (unsure about all spelling) and brightest crocea and maxima clams need the most, brown clams generally need less light, that is my understanding of clam lighting, calcium level is key too i believe.

 

[Fishead77]

well i would start with the lesser light clams, dersea squamosa, and hippomus (unsure about all spelling) and brightest crocea and maxima clams need the most, brown clams generally need less light, that is my understanding of clam lighting, calcium level is key too i believe.

Thanks, that's good to know that some clam's don't need as much light.