Creating Sponge Life

[TbyZ]

Sponges are wonderful natural filters. From what I've read the colorless types that appear from seemingly nowhere & grow underneath rocks in low light areas are particularly benificial to the aquarium.

Are there any methods that can be utilized to promote the appearance of, & growth of these sponges in a non-plant, non-illuminated refugium, for example?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, three things can be useful.

Start with some rocks, etc., that have small sponges on them. This is required in some way.

A second is dosing silicate since about 75% of sponge types need it and it depletes rapidly in most reef aquaria.

Third is dosing organic carbon which drives bacterial growth which can feed spones.

Feature Article: Silica In Reef Aquariums ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

 

[Paul B]

You can do that, or you can buy a sponge such as this one and watch it grow. This one covers a third of my 6' long tan and I trim it occasionally. I am sure it filters my water well.
Where you live in Australia, you can put up a picture of Charlize Theron near the tank. They like that.