Switching from PCs to MH HELP!

[flugelnuss]

I have about a 3" baby maxima in my 46g bow front for about 2 months now. I have 192 watt PC lighting with the clam basically perched up near the top of the tank.

I have a 10g nano that I just upgraded to 39 watts T5s and a 70 watt Metal Halide that i would like to transfer the clam to. I'd like for the clam to be on the bottom of the tank on the sand.

What would the recommened acclimation process be?

TIA!
Jeff

 

[mojoreef]

Jeff putting it on the bottom sounds good, you could put him under a bit of shade to start and then every second day move him out a bit.

Mike

 

[flugelnuss]

Thanks Mike! Would it be too much of a shock for the clam? Is there a chance of it bleaching from too much light?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Another thing that has also worked well (although the method above is optimal) for me is to start out with just a couple of hours of halides a day and slowly extend the time the halides are on over a period of 2-3 weeks until your light schedule gets to where you want it.

Just a second option if you need it...

 

[WaterDogs]

Maximas are rock dwellers so don't put him directly on the sand, same applies for Croceas.

 

[flugelnuss]

What about if I have him on a clam shell half?

 

[WaterDogs]

What about if I have him on a clam shell half?

That's fine. I have two clams, they really take to MH and color up alot more compared to anything else.

Dwaine

 

[PrimalScream]

FWIW...all of my clams are in half clam shells and placed about the rock work. I did this to give them a good attaching point and still keep them where I can easily move them if need be. This has worked out great thus far and I have had no problems.

Yeah as waterdogs said, they will sure look really nice under halides. I couldnt believe how much nicer mine looked after I got them out from under VHO's and under halides! Within a few days they looked like a whole different clam, the colors were so intense!

 

[esmith]

Don't forget the other method recommended by Anthony Calfo...use mesh screening (the same stuff used on screen doors), cut it into pieces large enough to cover the area around the clam and or any corals as well. You'll want to start off with say 6 pieces stacked on top of one another, then you can take off 1 layer every 5 - 7 days till you get everything fully acclimated (it words quite well creating a slightly shaded area over your inhabitants from what I've seen).

HTH

-Eliyah

 

[flugelnuss]

Thanks for all of the help! I really appreciate it!

Jeff

 

[mojoreef]

Screens are good but the problem with them when you are only acclimating one critter is that they effect all inhabitants. Croceas do like a hard surface, in sand they will just lay down on thier side. Maximas however dont mind the sand to much, and as they get bigger they wont clamp down anyway. I have about 5 8 to 10 inch tear drops, and none of them put thier clamps to anything. The croceas are the other hand are like cement, lol.


mike

 

[flugelnuss]

Well, there are no other inhabitants in the tank right now besides a few snails and hermits. I'm going with the photoperiod of starting at 2 hours and slowly extending the time over the next 3-4 weeks. I have the clam on a half clam shell on the substrate right now, but may move him when he is fully acclimated to the new lights!

Jeff