Pineapple Sponges

NWHreef · Dec 19, 2023

Over the past two months or so, I have had a major outbreak of these pineapple sponges. (let me know if the picture looks like something else)
I recently moved and I am wondering if silicates in my new water might be causing this. I use an RO/DI system, but I watched an old reef builders video where Jake talks about silicates making it through the filter. I don't mind having these sponges in my tank to polish my water, but i would like to control the population. Manual removal has failed. They grow back in a matter of days! Any advice on controlling these? I'm hesitant to use something like phosguard, since my phosphate is very stable around 0.1 and I am getting some of the best coral growth I've ever had in the tank.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Dec 19, 2023

Yep, pineapple sponges.
Look into a "silicate blaster" RODI filter...

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Dec 19, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Yep, pineapple sponges.
Look into a "silicate blaster" RODI filter...

Or, test your RODI for silicates first...

Narideth · Dec 19, 2023

Are pineapple sponges bad? I was pretty happy when I noted them growing in my tank. I took it as a mark of stable conditions and assistance with filtering out the baddies.

Gobi1canobi · Dec 19, 2023

NWHreef said:
Over the past two months or so, I have had a major outbreak of these pineapple sponges. (let me know if the picture looks like something else)
I recently moved and I am wondering if silicates in my new water might be causing this. I use an RO/DI system, but I watched an old reef builders video where Jake talks about silicates making it through the filter. I don't mind having these sponges in my tank to polish my water, but i would like to control the population. Manual removal has failed. They grow back in a matter of days! Any advice on controlling these? I'm hesitant to use something like phosguard, since my phosphate is very stable around 0.1 and I am getting some of the best coral growth I've ever had in the tank.

I had them bad as you I took out the rock and added sump.

BubblesandSqueak · Dec 19, 2023

Seastars will eat them.

jhadaway · Dec 19, 2023

I’d go for a icp test. My silicates were off the charts. I now run the silicate buster from brs with 2 different di resins. I use the blended di media last in line now just in case i miss the color change. I Cant however say if that has anything to do with the sponges.

Sophie"s mom · Dec 19, 2023

I currently have them in my tank as well. They are actually good for your tank, just a bit unsightly in large numbers. They will fix themselves in time. Yes, silicates play a role. as your tank goes thru phases, they will die Off for good , I have read that Coral Beauty angelfish will eat them, but so far I don’t know if mine has or not. Unless they just really bug you, leave them be.

NWHreef · Dec 20, 2023

Narideth said:
Are pineapple sponges bad? I was pretty happy when I noted them growing in my tank. I took it as a mark of stable conditions and assistance with filtering out the baddies.

I think they are a good thing, but they currently cover every dark part of my tank. It doesn’t look great and I’ve heard of them clogging up filtration and return pumps. I just want to lower the population a bit

vetteguy53081 · Dec 20, 2023

NWHreef said:
Over the past two months or so, I have had a major outbreak of these pineapple sponges. (let me know if the picture looks like something else)
I recently moved and I am wondering if silicates in my new water might be causing this. I use an RO/DI system, but I watched an old reef builders video where Jake talks about silicates making it through the filter. I don't mind having these sponges in my tank to polish my water, but i would like to control the population. Manual removal has failed. They grow back in a matter of days! Any advice on controlling these? I'm hesitant to use something like phosguard, since my phosphate is very stable around 0.1 and I am getting some of the best coral growth I've ever had in the tank.

Silicates are often the cause. Can be from new rock, new sand, from tap water if used and expired or leaking Di Resin cartridges.
These are short lived and will dissipate as silicates reduce. You can peel them off with the edge of a credit card into a net if they are too many
They are not harmful and cherish algae if they get any