Clear tubular coral/pest?

[omenemo]

Hi, I’m 1 year in and I’ve noticed something that’s odd to me. I first noticed it on my rock then realized something similar growing in the cleaning chambers also. Slightly different my may be the same thing. If anyone can give me some clarification, I’d appreciate the help.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
Looks like a sort of sponge - no worries. They tend to grow and recede in their own. They can be removed by a toothbrush.

 

[omenemo]

Welcome to the forum!
Looks like a sort of sponge - no worries. They tend to grow and recede in their own. They can be removed by a toothbrush.

Oh good. I was praying it wasn’t something crazy. I’ll do a little research. I had a hard time finding anything but knowing it might be a sponge should give me better direction. Thanks!

 

[TnFishwater98]

They tend to grow in low light situations. You could add more light and they would probably disappear.

 

[omenemo]

Come to think of it… They showed up when I started using a timer with my light. I thought I was allowing too much time because it was suggested 6 hours daily but I was leaving I ton more. All of my inhabitants seemed unphased except they spend more time closed up now with less light. Thanks for the info.

 

[TnFishwater98]

Come to think of it… They showed up when I started using a timer with my light. I thought I was allowing too much time because it was suggested 6 hours daily but I was leaving I ton more. All of my inhabitants seemed unphased except they spend more time closed up now with less light. Thanks for the info.

My lights on 12hours+ a day

 

[TnFishwater98]

BTW,

Welcome to da Reef!

 

[Sharkbait19]

Come to think of it… They showed up when I started using a timer with my light. I thought I was allowing too much time because it was suggested 6 hours daily but I was leaving I ton more. All of my inhabitants seemed unphased except they spend more time closed up now with less light. Thanks for the info.

Many sponges are photosynthetic - so extra light will certainly help them grow.
My lights are on 12 hours a day, not including ambient room/sunlight during the off hours.

 

[TnFishwater98]

Many sponges are photosynthetic - so extra light will certainly help them grow.
My lights are on 12 hours a day, not including ambient room/sunlight during the off hours.

I don’t believe these are. I had similar in the corner of my frag tank. I added more light and they disappeared. You are correct some sponges do like the light.

 

[omenemo]

Oh similar to the ones in the back chambers of my tank. I wasn’t sure if I should try to clean them off or let them go. The ones growing in the filter sponge will be cleaned off regardless when I do maintenance.

 

[xdcbenoitxd]

I agree with sponge. I have this in my tank and they do prefer lower light so they hide in my rockwork or under my corals. They are filter feeders so I see them as a good thing. It both means your tank is doing well and they help consume some of the extra nutrients. It's also less of the length of time than the how much light. Meaning they should only get 6-8 hours of full lighting but if you want a longer photoperiod just reduce your light intensity accordingly.

 

[omenemo]

I agree with sponge. I have this in my tank and they do prefer lower light so they hide in my rockwork or under my corals. They are filter feeders so I see them as a good thing. It both means your tank is doing well and they help consume some of the extra nutrients. It's also less of the length of time than the how much light. Meaning they should only get 6-8 hours of full lighting but if you want a longer photoperiod just reduce your light intensity accordingly.

Thank you so much for that info. That’s encouraging. I’ve found them in the crevices of my rocks in a bunch of areas. It’s so interesting how things just “pop up” like that.. it’s like “where did it come from?” Haha! At the moment, I’m only working with the kit light that came with the system (overhead/rests on the glass). It has blue and white light. I was told use both together but in he evening I occasionally turn the blue on for longer. I think I’m ready to move on and get a more versatile light with more spectrum. Maybe it’ll encourage more growth with specific light parameters. Im still learning that, but have been at a slow pace.

 

[xdcbenoitxd]

Thank you so much for that info. That’s encouraging. I’ve found them in the crevices of my rocks in a bunch of areas. It’s so interesting how things just “pop up” like that.. it’s like “where did it come from?” Haha! At the moment, I’m only working with the kit light that came with the system (overhead/rests on the glass). It has blue and white light. I was told use both together but in he evening I occasionally turn the blue on for longer. I think I’m ready to move on and get a more versatile light with more spectrum. Maybe it’ll encourage more growth with specific light parameters. Im still learning that, but have been at a slow pace.

Ya I actually collect all the hitchhikers to seed new tanks. I love watching things pop up This hobby can be paralyzing with the amount of information. Lighting alone will be a very loaded topic. Hopefully you'll get good advice when you're ready to move on. One thing I've learned the hard way is to finish your research completely before making a purchase or you will end up with tons of the same type of thing lol

 

[omenemo]

Ya I actually collect all the hitchhikers to seed new tanks. I love watching things pop up This hobby can be paralyzing with the amount of information. Lighting alone will be a very loaded topic. Hopefully you'll get good advice when you're ready to move on. One thing I've learned the hard way is to finish your research completely before making a purchase or you will end up with tons of the same type of thing lol

Thank you, I will keep that in mind. I’m definitely enjoying the hobby so far. It’s definitely daunting when I read so much information but I find taking it slow and not rushing into things is key.

 

[NoohpyT]

I have a very similar sponge in one of my tanks, It grows like a weed and I usually just clean it off with a toothbrush every month or so

not sure if higher nitrates or phosphates increases it's growth

 

[omenemo]

It’s actually calmed down on my rocks and slowed in the sponge chamber. Looks like it’s completely gone in some areas that I saw it before: I guess there are a lot of things that take care of themselves.