Richard Periut wrote:
>
> 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
>


Excellent... :-)

So where do we buy an sg meter?

K.


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