pineapple sponges

[king aiptasia]

why do we say pineapple sponges (Scypha/Sycon) are limited by silicates in a system, they are calcareous sponges, and they make the spicules and structural elements out of calcium carbonate, do they have silicate elements i have not heard about?

 

[tehmadreefer]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Calcareous sponges use calcium to form their skeleton" (spicules) The so called pineapple sponges are Class Calcarea sponges (as opposed to Class Demospongiae, which use silica and is a far more diverse group. However, they are Not from silicates in the tank but Pineapple sponges fade over time because they are a sponge that has a silicate skeleton. The mystery appearance in an established tank often is an indication of silicates in the rodi.

 

[king aiptasia]

Calcareous sponges use calcium to form their skeleton" (spicules) The so called pineapple sponges are Class Calcarea sponges (as opposed to Class Demospongiae, which use silica and is a far more diverse group. However, they are Not from silicates in the tank but Pineapple sponges fade over time because they are a sponge that has a silicate skeleton. The mystery appearance in an established tank often is an indication of silicates in the rodi.

But my point is that calcareous sponges are characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate, Hexactinellid sponges have silica based spicules, this is a contradiction

 

[vetteguy53081]

But my point is that calcareous sponges are characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate, Hexactinellid sponges have silica based spicules, this is a contradiction

It is and often miscalculated as to their existence. Too many resources give the impression that they are constructed of silica running wild in the tank which is NOT the case.

 

[king aiptasia]

It is and often miscalculated as to their existence. Too many resources give the impression that they are constructed of silica running wild in the tank which is NOT the case.

what does silica pertain to them at all?

 

[vetteguy53081]

what does silica pertain to them at all?

Its classified as a sponge that has a silicate skeleton. RODI is often presumed as silicate source although sand has silicates. The distinction for this species is pretty clear, provided that you can determine which spicules are called oxeas, triacts and tetracts, as well as being able to measure them. To use this couplet of descriptions, you need a compound microscope to make such determination.

 

[king aiptasia]

Its classified as a sponge that has a silicate skeleton. RODI is often presumed as silicate source although sand has silicates. The distinction for this species is pretty clear, provided that you can determine which spicules are called oxeas, triacts and tetracts, as well as being able to measure them. To use this couplet of descriptions, you need a compound microscope to make such determination.

Got a source for the information regarding the silicate skeleton of sycon

 

[Just John]

Calcareous sponges use calcium to form their skeleton" (spicules) The so called pineapple sponges are Class Calcarea sponges (as opposed to Class Demospongiae, which use silica and is a far more diverse group. However, they are Not from silicates in the tank but Pineapple sponges fade over time because they are a sponge that has a silicate skeleton. The mystery appearance in an established tank often is an indication of silicates in the rodi.

My tank is about 6 months old and I just found a good size patch of densely packed pineapple sponges on the back of my live rock. Since their skeleton is formed already, will they continue to survive if there is enough food? It sounds like you are saying they will eventually die.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My tank is about 6 months old and I just found a good size patch of densely packed pineapple sponges on the back of my live rock. Since their skeleton is formed already, will they continue to survive if there is enough food? It sounds like you are saying they will eventually die.

They will dissipate

 

[Just John]

They will dissipate

Thanks!