Freshwater clam questions

[Moontanman]

First I was sure I was gonna get clams then I ws positive I wasn't, now I can't decide. I wasn't going to depend on them to filter out ditirtus I just knew that they lived on it. I do water changes 3 times a week, so they probably wouldn'y survive in my tank. Well I geuss I won't get them.

if you keep a very clean tank, and the sight of a natural aqaurium makes you want to get out the buckets and the cleaners you have made the right decsion If your tank has a layer of detritus, lots of plants, and the filter not working is not a worry then try a couple of them.

 

[Veacane]

It must be an Asian variety because it says "Origin-Asia, Burma, Thailand. I'm guessing it's the species without the parasitic larvae. It also says there diet can be supplemented with a food they sell. So now I'm thinking about getting them again. And if my tank had a layer of ditritus I would sell all my fish and hang my head in shame.

 

[Veacane]

ok so here's another question, when I was looking on line for a food for the clams, because i really would like to keep clams even in a seoerate tank, all the example they give me for what to give the food, which is usually some kind of plankton, are all oceanic creatures and clams. Do they mean saltwater clams or is freshwater clams included in "clam".

 

[Ntvper]

Heres a stupid question, whats Detritus? I have some in my koi pond which is use to be always green and I was reading up on them.

 

[Moontanman]

Heres a stupid question, whats Detritus? I have some in my koi pond which is use to be always green and I was reading up on them.

Detritus is basically the aquatic version of the humus you find in a forest. Organic material that has become completely composted, most people see anything other than a spotless tank as somehow bad but freshwater fish do not live a perfectly clean environment, they are not meant to and do better if the environment is more natural. Detritus contains organic material tiny crustaceans, protozoans and bacteria all of which contribute to the health of the fish. At one time every one thought marine tanks had to be perfectly spotless and clean. Then it was found that marine tanks do better with live rock and live sand not until then did the real marine revolution take off. I keep my tanks natural, my fish are healthy, almost never get sick, and my tanks are pretty. nature is not a polished spit shined place and an aquarium should not be a polished spit shined parlor.

 

[JayK1320]

Detritus is basically the aquatic version of the humus you find in a forest. Organic material that has become completely composted, most people see anything other than a spotless tank as somehow bad but freshwater fish do not live a perfectly clean environment, they are not meant to and do better if the environment is more natural. Detritus contains organic material tiny crustaceans, protozoans and bacteria all of which contribute to the health of the fish. At one time every one thought marine tanks had to be perfectly spotless and clean. Then it was found that marine tanks do better with live rock and live sand not until then did the real marine revolution take off. I keep my tanks natural, my fish are healthy, almost never get sick, and my tanks are pretty. nature is not a polished spit shined place and an aquarium should not be a polished spit shined parlor.

Would you happen to have a few pictures of your tank so we could see what you mean? I personally would be interested in this...

 

[Ntvper]

Yes pictures please, I love having a full "circle of life" in my tanks and pond and hesitate, almost hold my nose and hang head in shame when I am forced or told to use chemicals to fix something in my water

 

[radioaktiv]

+1
lets see that natural tank

 

[Moontanman]

Would you happen to have a few pictures of your tank so we could see what you mean? I personally would be interested in this...

I've never been much of a picture taker but it has become apparent I need to take pictures. Right now I am trying to get things back together after loosing my house in the so called "mortgage crunch" I had to take down all my tanks and give away all my fish and plants. My new house is so small I haven't been able to really figure out what to set back up. When I do I will provide pictures to everyone. I am convinced I was lax in not taking pictures but when I first started out 45 years ago pictures weren't as easy to take as they are now and I never really picked up the habit of taking pictures like everyone seems to do now.

 

[Ntvper]

sorry to hear that about your house hope you come up with ideas soon I love going all natural (tanks of course)