I wanna keep sponges

[randomfishdude]

probobly a stupid idea but I wanna try. We are on a vacation right now and we're diving in the carrabian. I went this last summer but decided my tank wouldn't have a chance with sponges.
Now my tank is a year old, I have gorgonias and 2 photosynthetic sponges.
I love some of the sponges I see and I now start wondering if I can keep some.
Something like tube sponges and base sponges along with some encrusting ones.

I have tones and tones of little filter feeder feather dusters along with some full sized ones.

But is it such a bad idea for me to try? I'm cool with dosing food stuff I alrety dose phyto and roids.

Also anyone know where to buy the tube sponges?

 

[Nano_Man]

@Subsea may help you

 

[shakacuz]

following along. i'd love to try my hands at a blue sponge!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

For keeping sponges, I'd suggest reading through the following threads (and any links to other threads in my posts in them):

Sponge Tank

Does anyone have experience keeping a sponge only aquarium? If so where can I purchase sponges. I've only found a few online.

www.reef2reef.com

How hard/easy to grow sponge?

I want to be able to grow sponge for my angelfish. Could I do it in a tank I grow macro algae. It's very nutrient rich water, it's my molly breeding tank. Macro algae grows well in the tank with no doesing. The mollies keep it prestienly clean of unwanted algae and only nip here and there on the...

www.reef2reef.com

Is This Ball Sponge a Goner?

Hi all! First of all, I know the typical spiel - sponges are nearly impossible to keep and feed. Despite this, at the end of December I decided to try one. I feed phyto daily and blast it with frozen food juices and kick up microfauna in the sand for it but not sure it’s enough. I had it...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[dennis romano]

probobly a stupid idea but I wanna try. We are on a vacation right now and we're diving in the carrabian. I went this last summer but decided my tank wouldn't have a chance with sponges.
Now my tank is a year old, I have gorgonias and 2 photosynthetic sponges.
I love some of the sponges I see and I now start wondering if I can keep some.
Something like tube sponges and base sponges along with some encrusting ones.

I have tones and tones of little filter feeder feather dusters along with some full sized ones.

But is it such a bad idea for me to try? I'm cool with dosing food stuff I alrety dose phyto and roids.

Also anyone know where to buy the tube sponges?

It's not a good idea. I have several sponges that are several years old in my 27 year old tank. The tree sponges are next to impossible to get to live more than a few weeks. The tube sponges are just as bad. The easiest are the elephant ears. Sponges need microscopic food. For example, pods are too big for them. I stir the substrate several times a week to get the microfauna into the water column. Please stick to the gorgs and photosynthetic sponges

 

[randomfishdude]

It's not a good idea. I have several sponges that are several years old in my 27 year old tank. The tree sponges are next to impossible to get to live more than a few weeks. The tube sponges are just as bad. The easiest are the elephant ears. Sponges need microscopic food. For example, pods are too big for them. I stir the substrate several times a week to get the microfauna into the water column. Please stick to the gorgs and photosynthetic sponges

Kk

 

[Subsea]

probobly a stupid idea but I wanna try. We are on a vacation right now and we're diving in the carrabian. I went this last summer but decided my tank wouldn't have a chance with sponges.
Now my tank is a year old, I have gorgonias and 2 photosynthetic sponges.
I love some of the sponges I see and I now start wondering if I can keep some.
Something like tube sponges and base sponges along with some encrusting ones.

I have tones and tones of little filter feeder feather dusters along with some full sized ones.

But is it such a bad idea for me to try? I'm cool with dosing food stuff I alrety dose phyto and roids.

Also anyone know where to buy the tube sponges?

I have set up my display as a Caribbean mixed garden with a focus on biodiversity of micro fauna & fana. Several sea apples, cucumbers, flame scallops and several ornamental sponges: yellow ball, red tree and elephant ear. Several red tree & yellow ball are several years old. Red encrusting sponge is newest addition at 6 months (while not thriving, it is surviving.

I also stir gravel to feed apples & cucumbers stuck to front glass.

 

[randomfishdude]

If I did get sponges I wouldn't have to stir the sandbed as I have a goby who loves to bomb everything.

 

[Subsea]

If I did get sponges I wouldn't have to stir the sandbed as I have a goby who loves to bomb everything.

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Red Finger Sponge

 

[Katrina71]

following along. i'd love to try my hands at a blue sponge!

Not difficult. Give it shade and a little flow.

 

[Subsea]

While I have not ordered from KP aquatics, many have with good results. I just did look at their website and their sponge variety is impressive.

You searched for Sponges - KP Aquatics

 

[randomfishdude]

I might order some live rock and see what I get from that. I've been meaning too so it might be the time.

 

[Katrina71]

KP is great! Shoot them an email and tell them what you're looking for. They have been excellent with me. Been a customer for years.

 

[Daphne's_Reef]

I've also been a KP customer for years. They're rock is incredible.

 

[alpenreef]

I have a lot of sponges and tunicates on live rock which I received from Gulf Live Rock a few days ago. Some people say they had success keeping them alive. But from what I am reading it is very difficult because they are filter feeders and it is very hard to provide the microplankton and dissolved organic matter they need. I will try and see what happens.

 

[randomfishdude]

I might order some live rock and see what I get. I've been wanting some for a while.

 

[larreef]

probobly a stupid idea but I wanna try. We are on a vacation right now and we're diving in the carrabian. I went this last summer but decided my tank wouldn't have a chance with sponges.
Now my tank is a year old, I have gorgonias and 2 photosynthetic sponges.
I love some of the sponges I see and I now start wondering if I can keep some.
Something like tube sponges and base sponges along with some encrusting ones.

I have tones and tones of little filter feeder feather dusters along with some full sized ones.

But is it such a bad idea for me to try? I'm cool with dosing food stuff I alrety dose phyto and roids.

Also anyone know where to buy the tube sponges?

Lol
Not gonna happen

 

[randomfishdude]

Lol
Not gonna happen

Straight up with it I see.

 

[Weaverjay101]

I'm currently experimenting with the same thing. From what I've read they actually get most of their nutrition from dissolved organics with a preference for algae derived DOC. The remainder of their diet consists of microbes that they filter feed. I'm trying a few things with my tank. I removed the skimmer to increase dissolved organics in the water. Added macroalgae. And dose a gallon of phytoplankton everyday. My cryptic sponges are going crazy but my ornamental sponges haven't changed yet.

 

[randomfishdude]

I'm currently experimenting with the same thing. From what I've read they actually get most of their nutrition from dissolved organics with a preference for algae derived DOC. The remainder of their diet consists of microbes that they filter feed. I'm trying a few things with my tank. I removed the skimmer to increase dissolved organics in the water. Added macroalgae. And dose a gallon of phytoplankton everyday. My cryptic sponges are going crazy but my ornamental sponges haven't changed yet.

A GALLON????