I'm back!

[grizfyrfyter]

On an unrelated note but because I'm irritable,

Friendly reminder to never pay for a clam that has damaged or missing bissel threads (aka foot). Their chances of survival are low, especially if they are small.

This is a risk I knew and accepted when ordering directly from wholesalers, who more often than not do not don't give a shit if something survives as long as they make a profit.

Out of 10 clams, I identified 5 with damaged or completely missing bissel threads and isolated them from the healthy ones. All 5 damaged ones have now died. The other 5 are securely attached to rocks and are gorgeous.

This poor husbandry in the supply chain is why these clams are several hundred dollars for a healthy one at a retail store. You are paying for all the clams that die for one to survive.

Makes me wish i had the time and space to try aquaculting these shellfish on mass. We can do better, if only enough people actually care.

 

[Darkxerox]

On an unrelated note but because I'm irritable,

Friendly reminder to never pay for a clam that has damaged or missing bissel threads (aka foot). Their chances of survival are low, especially if they are small.

This is a risk I knew and accepted when ordering directly from wholesalers, who more often than not do not don't give a shit if something survives as long as they make a profit.

Out of 10 clams, I identified 5 with damaged or completely missing bissel threads and isolated them from the healthy ones. All 5 damaged ones have now died. The other 5 are securely attached to rocks and are gorgeous.

This poor husbandry in the supply chain is why these clams are several hundred dollars for a healthy one at a retail store. You are paying for all the clams that die for one to survive.

Makes me wish i had the time and space to try aquaculting these shellfish on mass. We can do better, if only enough people actually care.

What species did you get and what did you pay? I went direct from biota and ORA for my maximas, crocea and squamosina. Despite heavy tank issues I've only lost 1/6 in almost two years and all came in with healthy mantles and byssal organs. When the sales hit they're not that expensive, especially when free shipping is an option. The gold maximas are pretty low on the demand list and mine were in the $45 before tax range during a sale from SWA shipping direct from ORA.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

What species did you get and what did you pay? I went direct from biota and ORA for my maximas, crocea and squamosina. Despite heavy tank issues I've only lost 1/6 in almost two years and all came in with healthy mantles and byssal organs. When the sales hit they're not that expensive, especially when free shipping is an option. The gold maximas are pretty low on the demand list and mine were in the $45 before tax range during a sale from SWA shipping direct from ORA.

All said and done I got 10 maxima that were about 1.5" for $400.

I don't know what grade they were but I could have gotten them cheaper for a lower grade but chose not too. It's more of a filtration expirament but I wanted to see some pretty colors.

If I do it again, I will make the retailer hold them for two weeks so he can fight with the wholesaler for sending damaged animals.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

At the time, I couldn't find any local or online retailer who had more than 3 clams for less than $100 each.

 

[Darkxerox]

What sort of lighting situation you using for them? I tried using the Brightwell clam holder too but they started disintegrating after about a year like poorly made bacteria blocks, even when not in use. The best one I found was an old ceramic fired one as they don't wear down over time. Or sticking them on top of a Genesis Rock.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

They are under a kessil a360we. They are sitting around 250par after being acclimated and I did the same thing I always did when I worked in the shop, I put them in a plastic bin of rock rubble. Two of the healthy clams detached from their origin rock pebbles they had during shipping and have attached themselves to larger pieces of rock. One was attached to another clams shell for about a week before it moved somewhere else.

The rock dwelling clams excrete stuff to break down the rocks, shaping their safe space to anchor too. I am not surprised the clam cozies don't hold up to hosting a clam, I am disappointed to hear they broke down just being in the water.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

My phyto culture containers suck. Too much settling.

I ordered some plastic tubing and a heat sealer. Going to use this technique to culture hanging bags of phyto this time.

Bonuc Pic of the stock tank. Need to get a few more herbivores in there. View attachment 81058

that looks very familiar!