High Five to Sponges!

[stunkenwagon]

As far as I know it can be dangerous cutting sponges as they can release protective toxins which can harm tank inhabitants! I have tried clipping some dead ends in the tank and they release a powdery substance . Not sure how accurate I am just one of those things you read somewhere

 

[spspirate]

As far as I know it can be dangerous cutting sponges as they can release protective toxins which can harm tank inhabitants! I have tried clipping some dead ends in the tank and they release a powdery substance . Not sure how accurate I am just one of those things you read somewhere

Yes you are right in a way that some sponges are toxic and even some sponges are photosynthetic. I did't touch on those issues because I felt they were irrelevant to the topic. So I will do a little more research on the toxicity of sponges. For now we can agree that they are great modes of filtration. I guess we should side with caution when pruning back some of them until we can find out more information on the effects of the toxicity in the reef aquarium. Maybe someone can chime in on an experience they had with any sponge toxins in their reef or any knowledge along this topic.

 

[stunkenwagon]

Just like to add my red sponge in the second picture is looking a bit sad and was dying off because where it was in first picture it was getting too much light! Extremely sensitive to light. I tried cutting off dead ends and could see toxins leaching out of it so I'm just letting it heal itself in the dark

 

[spspirate]

Are you running carbon? Do you see anything respond negatively when toxins are released.

 

[stunkenwagon]

No I don't run carbon but have been considering it as I get occasional algae outbreak as I feed my sps a bit too much I've worked out! My Sponge's don't like algae too much have to clean them when algae builds up on them

 

[stunkenwagon]

Oh I haven't seen any ill effects but I stopped cutting them just incase as they they were putting out a lot of toxins if that's what they were

 

[Mike J.]

Here's a ten year old article very well worth the read.

Aquarium Invertebrates: Sponges, Phylum Porifera ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[Mike J.]

If you really want to KNOW what's known about sponges. Here is a large list of articles on the subject. Yes, I've read them. Want to be well versed on sponges?

Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[stunkenwagon]

The first link was a long and rather general read! The second one is great ! It was great to get some written proof that I had hundreds of shrimps living with in my sponge actually in trapped inside until one day they started eating there way out! Not sure what they were but closet guess I've got was they were mantis shrimps

 

[Mike J.]

I'm so glad that you took the time to read some articles. While there are predatory sponges, the chances of getting a bad sponge in your reef tank is very unlikely. While it is a prudent thing to know what species of animals you have in your tank, you can almost be assured that every sponge is good and not going to be a problem.

There is the White Branching Sponge that some people don't like because of its very rapid growth, but it certainly won't harm anything. The large sponge in the sump in a previous post in this thread is a White Branching Sponge. They can be trimmed back without any ill affects to the water quality.

 

[stunkenwagon]

Thanks for the link it gives me the push I need to research properly! I am a bit backwards in my thinking! I buy something because it's unique then I do my research! Stupid I know but the way I look at it is if it's in the Lfs I may aswel grab it because I've got as good as chance to look after as most because I do my research and will move heaven and earth to do my best to keep the animal! My feather star is in great health my nudibranche has been with me for a year and apparently only live a year in the wild and sponges are still ok a year later although they have suffered from light exposure but I have learnt from this!

 

[neuwave]

Great seeing a nice sponge vid and right up. I must admit I love having sponges in my tank. I just built my cryptic fuge and overnighted mariculture live rock for it. The last time I did this I got sponges and tunicates and sea squirts. The cryptic fuge really polishes the water nicely. So it's like a filter sock that digest the particles instead of washing every week.

 

[ritter6788]

I just built my cryptic fuge.... The cryptic fuge really polishes the water nicely. So it's like a filter sock that digest the particles instead of washing every week.

I removed all macroalgae from my fuge and just run lots of liverock. My thoughts were the same as yours though. IMO macroalgae collects more waste than it removes. I get all sorts of different sponges and such in dark places of a reef tank. A refugium full of nice display sponges would be amazing. Imagine how clean the water would be if it passed though a sump packed with live sponges!

 

[neuwave]

I removed all macroalgae from my fuge and just run lots of liverock. My thoughts were the same as yours though. IMO macroalgae collects more waste than it removes. I get all sorts of different sponges and such in dark places of a reef tank. A refugium full of nice display sponges would be amazing. Imagine how clean the water would be if it passed though a sump packed with live sponges!

Ya, a sponge gallery would be a awesome display.
My new-ish sump design is based off different methods combined into one. I have 2 different fuges, one light and one cryptic. Because they both have their merits. The light has no sand or live rock. The algae is held up above the sump floor and attached to fence like a vine. Think vineyard. The grapes vines are wrapped around the fence with little to no contact on the ground. This allows the macro to absorb nutrients out of the water without dead spots underneath. Same goes for the cryptic the rocks are drilled with a pipe up the middle. Like a lollipop with the rock as the candy on top. Also allowing for water flow under the rock. That's the problem I've seen what the heck rubble. It can create lots of low flow dead spots in between the rumble. So now I have the light fuge for pods and other life to stay and the absorbing factors(phosphates, nitrates, etc) of the macro ( I also just like having different kinds macros). Then the cryptic to catch larger detritus/particles by the sponges and tunicates. Also it will absorb other factors out of the water such as siilacates which the sponges use to build their skeleton. So I'm absorbing various things from two different types of fuges. A big plus the sponges and tunicates really polish the water crystal clear.