Any Sponge Dominant Tanks?

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Just wondering if anyone keeps a tank that is primarily sponges rather than corals or macro.

If so, what kinds/species of sponges do you keep? What inhabitants (if any) do you keep with them? What do you do for feeding and water changes/dosing?

Pictures are appreciated and tips for keeping them are welcome - especially for "oddball," unique, or rare sponges!

 

[Rtaylor]

I don’t, but I know a lot of seahorse tanks keep them as hitching posts. Might be worth asking in that forum.

 

[Rtaylor]

Also, nothing rare, but this site has big sponges for a great value

live-plants.com

Gulf Coast Ecosystems (GCE), founded in 2003, is a trusted source for live marine macroalgae, gorgonians, sponges and invertebrates. From our Florida Keys and Tampa Bay stations, we hand-collect and culture high-quality specimens for hobbyists, reef tanks, public aquariums, universities, and...

www.live-plants.com

 

[LilsReefTank]

Just wondering if anyone keeps a tank that is primarily sponges rather than corals or macro.

If so, what kinds/species of sponges do you keep? What inhabitants (if any) do you keep with them? What do you do for feeding and water changes/dosing?

Pictures are appreciated and tips for keeping them are welcome - especially for "oddball," unique, or rare sponges!

I can keep you updated. I found that I actually am more fond of macro and sponges so I bought a few (tree, elephant ear, plating, ball type) and currently in the experimental phase. I'm hoping to raise a tank chock full of them. And then adding a moorish idol if it all works out.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Thinking a bit more about different kinds of tanks tonight, so I figured I'd give this thread another bump.

Sponges, anyone?

 

[sergifed91]

I didn't plan on having many sponges in my DT. I have a purple sponge that has kind of reproduced into several spots and just bought orange tree sponge and I think it's a elephant ear sponge. Can't wait for them to grow out.

 

[dennis romano]

I currently have a half dozen sponges, elephant ears, balls and encrusting. Sponges do not do well in a relatively new tank. My tank has been set up for over twenty years. They need low light, moderate current and microscopic food. Light causes algae to grow on them, smothering them. To feed mine, I stir the substrate to get the micro-organisms into the water column and they do well on that. The red tree sponges just don't hold up. The longest that I have had one live is about two years. On the other hand, I have a blue that is about seven years old. That one started as a vase, declined to the size of a dime, grew to baseball size and is back down to dime size again.

 

[chopdrop]

I can keep you updated. I found that I actually am more fond of macro and sponges so I bought a few (tree, elephant ear, plating, ball type) and currently in the experimental phase. I'm hoping to raise a tank chock full of them. And then adding a moorish idol if it all works out.

I fear the idol would probably go through all of that faster than it could be replenished but I have always been curious if you couldn't use this product and mix it with something (maybe just dried sponge?) and have some success.
I'd be curious to see some pictures of your tank!

 

[las]

Use a deep sand bed. Use high water flow. Use phyto/bacterioplankton. 3 tips for success

 

[i cant think]

I can keep you updated. I found that I actually am more fond of macro and sponges so I bought a few (tree, elephant ear, plating, ball type) and currently in the experimental phase. I'm hoping to raise a tank chock full of them. And then adding a moorish idol if it all works out.

You may find the moorish to chew through all of the sponges before they have time to regrow.
You’ll end up with one healthy moorish though!!

 

[Eric R.]

I currently have a half dozen sponges, elephant ears, balls and encrusting. Sponges do not do well in a relatively new tank. My tank has been set up for over twenty years. They need low light, moderate current and microscopic food. Light causes algae to grow on them, smothering them. To feed mine, I stir the substrate to get the micro-organisms into the water column and they do well on that. The red tree sponges just don't hold up. The longest that I have had one live is about two years. On the other hand, I have a blue that is about seven years old. That one started as a vase, declined to the size of a dime, grew to baseball size and is back down to dime size again.

Dennis, do you have a thread with info or pictures of your tank? I'd like to see more about your setup!

 

[dennis romano]

Dennis, do you have a thread with info or pictures of your tank? I'd like to see more about your setup!

Here is a recent pic of my tank. It was set up for salt water twenty seven years ago. Some coral and mushrooms are over twenty five years old. The sponges across the front on the bottom are between three and five years old. Just yesterday, I found a blue sponge that I thought had died but was growing happily under the same rock that I had

placed it five years ago. Most of the gorgs are from five to ten years old. The macro is a new addition, just two weeks old.

 

[Lineatus]

Paul b‘s

 

[Paul B]

My tank is not only sponge dominant, my entire house is turning into a sponge.

I could wash my car,,,,twice with the sponges in my tank. Sponges that I don't want and am trying very hard to eliminate.

This light blue or purple stuff is all sponge. I know, it looks like blue montipora, But it lies. It is sponge.