Base for clams

[tag]

Hi,

Wondering if any of you with clams set them on a base.

What do you use? The deltec 2 part epoxy suggests that you make a 1/4" oval pancake and then set the clams on that once it's cured to keep it off the substrate.

I've lost one of my clams to a bristleworm I think so I'd like to get their base covered somehow.

thanks

Tina

[vaporize]

what kind of clam? some will stick by themselves like crocea

[jgillard]

Vaporize:

tag is referring to creating a base from epoxy to place the clam on after it is cured. (All clams have a foot). The clam would then attach itself to it. Other options are to use half a dead clams shell for it to attach to. Or, if you have a suitable rock you can use that. Mine is attached to a rock.

[Aurel]

I just placed an old 2" frag plug under the sand about 1/2" and the clam attached within a week.

[Carant]

I have used half of an oyster shell. My Crocea has attached to that and it is very easy to move it around (if I have to). Not too bad to look at either.

Attaching to a rock is great unless you have to move your clam and if you have to remove it ... possible damage that you may not notice until the clam is dead. Now of course this is only good for those clams that like the rocks (crocea and max). I understand even the sand dwellers like to attach and thus if they do ... same benefit of ease of moving.

Mugster has quite a few ... hope he pipes in.

Also bristle worms are unlikely to damage a healthy clam ... but likely to feast on one that has died or is too sick to look after itself.

Good luck,
Bruce

[RonPeter]

I used 1/2 an oyster shell under my clams.

[mr.wilson]

Bristle worms will not eat a healthy clam, and raising it a few inches won't keep potential parasites away from it. Nonetheless, clams do better if they have a stable holdfast.

Try to get the clams to attach naturally to a flat rock that will fit under the sand.

[Mugster]

My tank is bare bottom so all of my clams are sitting on the coralline covered glass bottom. From my experience this works best for me. When I had a sand bed I tried flat rocks and oyster/clam half shells without much success. I found that eventually the clam would move to where it was happy. With the bare bottom they're free to move.



:hi1:

[tag]

thanks everyone for the good advice :)

The clam was doing extremely well and was definately attacked from the bottom because the mantle was intact.

I was looking to cover it's foot so that it can't happen again.

I will definately give the half shell a try.

Thanks again

Tina

[Rodgec1]

I have my clam sitting on the gravel and it seems quite happy. I think it is a juvy though as it is only a wee bit open. Maybe it will grab on to something when it grows.

CR.

[tag]

I found that when they're small they travel some. I've always had them on the substrate and they were very happy however I found they liked to attach to each other at times which wasn't a good thing...separating them can be damaging.

Now they're bigger and since I have more than one I can't see it being a health concern especially since the others are still very happy a month later.

I read about the clam covers persey on the deltec pamphlet but I worry about it disapating in the water.

It does say that you make a small plate, place the clam on it to make it's impression and then cure it in water until solid. Once it's solid you slip it under the clam and the clam should attached....voila...bottom covered.

It seems a half shell will do the same however it won't have the clams impression for it to easily stick.

Tina