Katra wrote:
>
> Donna Rose wrote:
>
>>In article >,
says...
>>
>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for
>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty.
>>>>
>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does
>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to
>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with
>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work
>>>>with clams as well?
>>>
>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely
>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider
>>>eating them without doing so first.
>>>
>>>Sheena
>>>
>>
>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water
>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA
>>
>>--
>>Donna
>
>
> To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive...
> I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years.
>
> Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge
> the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no
> food) to do this.
>
> K.
>

As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents:

These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG
which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these
values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG
changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity
meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control.

The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their
extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are
filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not
going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.)

So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the
aforementioned conditions.

My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the
synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a
hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so
that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more
water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to
salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local
pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will
purge their sand.

When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change
in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel
heaven : )

HTH,

R

--
"..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava
beans and a nice chianti..."

Hannibal "The Cannibal"

Silence Of The Lambs 1991