cleaning the sponges???

tims28gnano · 10/22/2009, 09:49 PM

hi all, I have a 28 gallon nano HQI. I have the two sponges in the back of the tank and was pretty good about rinsing them out with tank water on a regular basis but have to admit that I have slipped on that lately. Now, when I look back there with a flashlight I see copepods, amphepods, little star fish, serpent stars, tons of baby snails, things that look like little sea fans and even things that look like tadpoles or baby shrimp swimming around. I am afraid that if I pull out the sponges and rinse them out that I will be killing or harming all of that stuff!

What do I do?

Thanks

lordofthereef · 10/22/2009, 09:55 PM

Some of it might die but it isn't worth having a huge detritus trap IMO. That will just cause more harm than good in the long run. I often have little critters hang out arounf the base of my internal pumps and in various places around the tank that get disturbed during routine cleaning. I doubt much of it dies off when disturbed, but even if it does I would rather have that than a detritus trap.

Frogmanx82 · 10/22/2009, 10:05 PM

The other option is to filter the water through a fine mesh screen, like a reusable coffee filter and put them back in.

lordofthereef · 10/22/2009, 10:07 PM

I supposed I didn't specify that I don't mean you should take the sponge out and just wash it right off. Flick off the critters into the back part of your tank so they make it into the water. You could filter them too like frogman said. Too much work for me though LOL.

tims28gnano · 10/22/2009, 11:05 PM

wow, I kinda wish I had kept up with it! I see white serpent stars(i think) in both spopnges! kinda want to keep them! I'll sleep on it!
thanks for input!

10/22/2009, 09:49 PM	#1
tims28gnano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jones Beach Posts: 343	cleaning the sponges??? hi all, I have a 28 gallon nano HQI. I have the two sponges in the back of the tank and was pretty good about rinsing them out with tank water on a regular basis but have to admit that I have slipped on that lately. Now, when I look back there with a flashlight I see copepods, amphepods, little star fish, serpent stars, tons of baby snails, things that look like little sea fans and even things that look like tadpoles or baby shrimp swimming around. I am afraid that if I pull out the sponges and rinse them out that I will be killing or harming all of that stuff! What do I do? Thanks

10/22/2009, 09:55 PM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Some of it might die but it isn't worth having a huge detritus trap IMO. That will just cause more harm than good in the long run. I often have little critters hang out arounf the base of my internal pumps and in various places around the tank that get disturbed during routine cleaning. I doubt much of it dies off when disturbed, but even if it does I would rather have that than a detritus trap. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/22/2009, 10:05 PM	#3
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	The other option is to filter the water through a fine mesh screen, like a reusable coffee filter and put them back in. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

10/22/2009, 10:07 PM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I supposed I didn't specify that I don't mean you should take the sponge out and just wash it right off. Flick off the critters into the back part of your tank so they make it into the water. You could filter them too like frogman said. Too much work for me though LOL. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/22/2009, 11:05 PM	#5
tims28gnano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jones Beach Posts: 343	wow, I kinda wish I had kept up with it! I see white serpent stars(i think) in both spopnges! kinda want to keep them! I'll sleep on it! thanks for input!