Other Turtle Discussion :: Fresh water clams...

Non-care related topics here.

Post Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:37 pm   Fresh water clams...

While browsing thru their website, I have found this article... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2947 (text copied below)

Freshwater Clams for Natural Filtration
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
Freshwater Clams for Natural Filtration
If you would like to add to your freshwater aquarium population but also need help controlling water parameters and organic waste, consider freshwater clams.
natural water filters
Native to temperate freshwater rivers and lakes around the world, the freshwater clam is a bivalve mollusk that acts like a living filter to help keep aquarium water clean and clear. Freshwater clams such as the Corbicual sp., which originate in Asia and have a brown shell banded in black, help filter your aquarium water by removing detritus and uneaten food from the water column; in doing so, they remove the organic material that would otherwise break down in your system. The end result is reduced nitrite levels and improved water quality.

how to house
Freshwater clams are filter feeders and will often bury themselves in the substrate, leaving only their siphon protruding from the substrate to gather nutrients. A 10-gallon aquarium or larger with a medium to very fine substrate will provide the best housing for these freshwater bivalves. Be careful not to house freshwater clams with invertebrate-eating fish such as freshwater puffers.

Despite reaching a maximum length of only about 2", freshwater clams such as the Corbicual sp. can have a positive impact on water parameters and may significantly lower nitrite levels.

Any thoughts?
Damian
 
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:46 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

Interesting article. I added some wild clams once and my turtles ate them.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
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Kansasslider
 
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:51 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

Ok...lol. My hope is that they could bury themselves in the substrate and survive...
I am just toying with the idea right now.
Damian
 
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:08 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

Looks very interesting and could be a great idea in a planted tank/vivarium. RES are very curious, so they might dig up those clams... I'm not sure how well they would do under that kind of harassment.
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steve
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:26 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

You can try it and see what happens.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
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Kansasslider
 
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Post Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:18 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

My experience with clams is they tend to bury themselves, die, and pollute the tank and are impossible to find once this happens. So if your willing to try, do not get too many of them.
I think that most aquarium filters keep the water too clean for clams to thrive.
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devilduck
 
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Post Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:04 pm   Re: Fresh water clams...

True! I think mine died and then got eaten.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
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Kansasslider
 
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