Anyone know what this is?

[Ameer214]

This stuff is starting to grow all over my rocks and mostly in dark areas. Is it a sponge? My current params are:

Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0
Cal: 420
Alk: 8.4

I am working on increasing the nutrients by slowing increasing dosage of phyto-feast, reefroids and reef chilli. My nitrate and phosphates have been 0 for a while (6 months or longer). These things started showing up about 3 months ago.

The tank is about 14 months old and was started with live rock (Haitian). The rock was cured for about 3 weeks before being placed in the tank.

 

[tripdad]

sponge, harmless

 

[Crabs McJones]

^^ Yup. Sponges. Good thing

 

[Ameer214]

Will it harm the tank if try to clean them off from here or there?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Why would you clean them off? They're great filter feeders that will help keep your water clear

 

[madweazl]

Yea, leave them be; they're an important part of your tanks ecosystem.

 

[Ameer214]

Greatly appreciate the responses. I will leave them to be on my rocks.

In regards to why I was asking about removal; They are growing on my sump walls. I do a quarterly cleaning of the sump. As part of this process I wipe all the walls clean. Just wondering if disturbing these guys will pollute the water? I guess if they are removing nutrients, I would be adding those back.

 

[tripdad]

If you choose to remove just suction them out of the system. If the growth removed is substantial then keep an eye on nutrients as they may go up due to the loss of consumers. Rare but just keep an eye out. Maybe give them to another reefer.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As long as not all over the place, they will contribute to your water quality