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Anyone Know a Thing or Two About Sponges?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Tony L., Sep 21, 2010.

  1. Tony L.

    272
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I'm interested in adding a sponge to my tank to facilitate mechanical filtration and polish my water. I've heard they are relatively difficult to keep. I know they need high water flow, a somewhat shady spot to reside and supplemental feeding. I also know that they can't be exposed to air otherwise they're as good as dead. But other than that I don't know too much.


    I had a hard time finding additional information about the specifics of sponge care. Do they need daily feeding? Growth rate? How much light is too much? What's the minimum water flow they need? I read a quick thing saying something about rapid algae growth being a problem, possibly growing in the sponge itself smothering it in the process. I'm struggling with brown diatomaceous algae right now, should I hold off until I get it under control? Some relevant tank info - 55gal with two K4s and 4 bulb T5 retro being overdriven by an IC660.
     
  2. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    Sponges don't need light, they're non photosynthetic. They feed by filter feeding, so they like phyto, zoo plankton, all that good stuff. Different sponges like different flow rates. And yes, don't expose them to the air...

    Tony, I can't remember right off where you are from? I've got tons of sponges in my tank, I can't get rid of it fast enough! Most of it is black or grey, but there's some white, blue, and yellow sponge I can try to get you if you're close to Cedar Falls. Are you putting it in your display or in the sump for filtration? Let me know if you want to stop over and get some sometime!

    -Adam
     
  3. Greenonion

    Greenonion

    280
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    tony, most of the sponges you find at an lfs are difficult if not impossible to take care of. there are photosynthetic sponges out there, most of them are the blue and purple ones you can find every now and then. the other (orange, red, black, green ones) or not photosynthetic but require daily additions of a wide range of particulate food. this is because marine biologist aren't even sure what size food they eat. you best option is to get ones from a members tank (e.i. adampott) and cultivate those. they are already growing in a closed system and will be used to the environment. hope this helps.

    thx joe
     
  4. Tony L.

    272
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks for the offer Adam. I live in Altoona, right next to Des Moines. It'd be a bit of a treck to Cedar Falls. I have a sumpless system at the moment and would add some to the display. Are they effective at polishing the water or simply filtering out the excess biological stuff that the corals don't consume. The main thing I'm trying to accomplish is polishing my water without the use of filter floss or other mechanical media that can get clogged up and turn into a nitrate factory relatively quickly. Are sponges an answer to this problem?
     

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