Sponges

inadaze · 07/05/2006, 02:42 PM

hi all,
I am just starting up my aquarium from bits of on older aquarium. I took the live rock and placed it in the newly cycling aquarium and found some strange things under the rocks. I have never seen sponges before but I assume that is what they are. Only on one rock. about 1 inch long. white/grey. slimy looking. blob-like.

Is that what it is? Could I get some info on them if so? Are they bad/good? If bad, how do I get rid of them? where do they come from?

Cheers,
Jason

jerehmy · 07/05/2006, 03:02 PM

they are harmless-

sponges do look kinds like boogers on the LR, In my tank I have green orange white all colors of sponges

Heres a link to the sponges site http://melevsreef.com/id/sponge.html

inadaze · 07/06/2006, 07:46 AM

Oh good. I don't know why I always had the impression they were bad for the aquarium. I wish mine were at least a bright color like in the photos. They look like mucus. lol

thanks
Jason

Sk8r · 07/06/2006, 07:58 AM

If you want your sponges to grow, including some that may at present be too small to see, feed phytoplankton. When I started feeding for my clam, a little yellowish sponge at the rear of my rockwork grew to the size of a small Irish potato.

They're filter-feeders and help eliminate floating micro-algae from your tank, stuff that makes your water yellow.

spoiledcats · 07/06/2006, 07:59 AM

After a while you will find all colors of sponges, unless you have something that eats them. I have pink, purple, yellow, white and grey sponges. Haven't seen a blue one yet, but I keep looking.

Sk8r · 07/06/2006, 08:00 AM

I have a strange blue one that grows in threads and looks like veining over my rocks. I think it's rather neat. I've had angels in a tank before this, and they destroy sponges. I think this is going to be a pleasant experience, running a tank without them. All sorts of colors and shapes.

07/05/2006, 02:42 PM	#1
inadaze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 41	Sponges hi all, I am just starting up my aquarium from bits of on older aquarium. I took the live rock and placed it in the newly cycling aquarium and found some strange things under the rocks. I have never seen sponges before but I assume that is what they are. Only on one rock. about 1 inch long. white/grey. slimy looking. blob-like. Is that what it is? Could I get some info on them if so? Are they bad/good? If bad, how do I get rid of them? where do they come from? Cheers, Jason

07/05/2006, 03:02 PM	#2
jerehmy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 511	they are harmless- sponges do look kinds like boogers on the LR, In my tank I have green orange white all colors of sponges Heres a link to the sponges site http://melevsreef.com/id/sponge.html __________________ Fish are the best medecine for body and mind Current Tank Info: 55g, 40g, 29gx2, 60g, 10g African Cichlids (Breeders) 40g SW Reef with a 20g sump/refugium 75lbs prime LR Mag 9.5 SCWD and Remora skimmer, 2x96w PC's

07/06/2006, 07:58 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you want your sponges to grow, including some that may at present be too small to see, feed phytoplankton. When I started feeding for my clam, a little yellowish sponge at the rear of my rockwork grew to the size of a small Irish potato. They're filter-feeders and help eliminate floating micro-algae from your tank, stuff that makes your water yellow. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/06/2006, 08:00 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I have a strange blue one that grows in threads and looks like veining over my rocks. I think it's rather neat. I've had angels in a tank before this, and they destroy sponges. I think this is going to be a pleasant experience, running a tank without them. All sorts of colors and shapes. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/06/2006, 07:46 AM	#3
inadaze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 41	Oh good. I don't know why I always had the impression they were bad for the aquarium. I wish mine were at least a bright color like in the photos. They look like mucus. lol thanks Jason

07/06/2006, 07:59 AM	#5
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	After a while you will find all colors of sponges, unless you have something that eats them. I have pink, purple, yellow, white and grey sponges. Haven't seen a blue one yet, but I keep looking.