Clam fresh water dip

turkleton · #1 11-03-2010, 10:31 PM

Ok so it's looking better but you can see what I'm talking about on the top left side of the clam

Myka · #2 11-03-2010, 10:37 PM

Hmm, ya that looks as if it is a minor case of pinched mantle. Are you using GFO and/or carbon? If so, how much are you using, which brands, how often do you change them, and how to you use them (reactor or filter bag?)?

turkleton · #3 11-03-2010, 10:49 PM

I'm using carbon, just the cheap hagen stuff. I'm using about 2/3 - 3/4 of a cup and changing it once every 3 - 4 weeks, in a 65 gallon tank. It is being run in a canister filter.

Myka · #4 11-03-2010, 11:17 PM

Ok, I ask because lots of carbon seems to help pinched mantle, and GFO seems to be a trigger sometimes. Looks like you are doing ok in that area though. Time for a dip! Pinched mantle is a pretty serious disease...best to catch it early!

What lights are you using? How long has the tank been running? What are your parameters? Cal, alk, mg, temp, ph, salinity, nitrate, phosphate? Any ammonia present?

Be sure to match pH with a digital meter, match temperature as well. Use dechlorinated tap or RO water...preferably the latter. I would advise 20 minute dip, but here is a link that suggests a 30 minute dip:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/jf/index.php

BlueTang<3 · #5 11-04-2010, 12:04 AM

To me that does not look like anything... But that just me.. I have tried to dip clams and never had luck. I think if it was closed up it was from the prymaid snails there a clam killer. I ended up changing the substrate to control them in my tank I would just keep an eye on the clam pick it up if you can every few weeks take it out and give it a scrub down with a tooth brush until there gone some wrasses will eat them also.

daniella3d · #6 11-04-2010, 01:38 AM

wow, I have been using GFO since day one with my crocea. So far no pinched mantle that I can see but I am not sure how it looks anyway.

Myka · #7 11-05-2010, 05:45 AM

I use lots of GFO in my tanks too, and I have two clams. It has never bothered my clams, but in some cases if you remove GFO from a clam with pinched mantle it will resolve itself. I don't like doing dips on clams either, but pinched mantle is serious and needs to be caught early. Most people who lose clams in a dip don't dip early enough and the clam is beyond the hope of any return.

turkleton · #8 11-05-2010, 06:12 AM

Well, the clam has been looking less irritated ever since I removed those few snails. The last couple days it has looked as healthy as ever. I have been looking it over with a flashlight after the lights go out and I have not been able to find any more snails. If there are any left hopefully my six-line wrasses will snack on them. For right now I think I'm going to hold off on the dip, as long as it doesn't take a turn for the worse.