clam losing color and pattern

[daniella3d]

No it's quite the opposite. The parts of the clam that receive less light is a lot more colorful. The part that is receiving direct light is getting dull.

I actually covered the clams with a bit of crate and they are getting better, at least the maxima seem to be regaining a bit of saturation in the colors.

Mine are probably too close to the light or maybe I keep my light on too long. I was using 12 hours per day and I cut to 11 hours per day a few days ago.

I am using live phyto. I was using DT but cannot find that anylonger, so now using Reef nutrition live phyto.

http://reefnutrition.com/phyto_feast_live.html

Originally Posted by tang daddy

When I had clams awhile back I had quite a collection, the first pic you posted the people are calling brown and teal, I'd like to refer to as gold and teal... Anyhow those ones were my favourite clams, I had them blasting under 250w hqi mh 14k and they held their colours and patterns well. The ones that were at mid tank seemed more fuzzy in the patterns and dull in colour.

You stated that yours did not like more light and it was smaller, mine was about 2.5-3" mantle so they weren't the smallest however weren't considered large either. My suggestion would be if possible to try and raise them abit over time so they are acclimated to the light. I am willing to bet that more light will infact bring back the gold patterns..... Good luck!

[monocus]

i used that phyto once when my cultures weren't ready.the stuff stank,my rotifer cultures went down,and it left a scum at the top of my reactors.unless it is shaken twice daily the cells smother themselves-hence its now not live.you should see if someone out there is growing their own phyto-probably way cheaper as well

[daniella3d]

I don't know anyone around growing live phyto. The bottle I have does not stink though, and I checked under the microscope and it was alive. Maybe you got a bad batch?

I remember that I once got a DT live phyto that was smelling really bad and I did not use it for long before putting it in the garbage.

Originally Posted by monocus

i used that phyto once when my cultures weren't ready.the stuff stank,my rotifer cultures went down,and it left a scum at the top of my reactors.unless it is shaken twice daily the cells smother themselves-hence its now not live.you should see if someone out there is growing their own phyto-probably way cheaper as well

[monocus]

most likely old stock

[gregzz4]

I tried the Reef Nutrition Phyto-feast ...
Went stale very fast

I kept it in 2 different containers;
1 in room light, and 1 in the fridge
Both went bad within a couple months, even though I gave it a good shake every week or so

[daniella3d]

I use those bottle in less than 2 months. I am on my second bottle and it's still good.

Anyway, it's the only thing I can get around here.

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I tried the Reef Nutrition Phyto-feast ...
Went stale very fast

I kept it in 2 different containers;
1 in room light, and 1 in the fridge
Both went bad within a couple months, even though I gave it a good shake every week or so