Possible invasive sponge.

aviationreef · Sep 28, 2015

I have not posted on this board much but i currently have a 60 cube i set up used 3 months ago with a few fish and corals, after a mini cycle everything has been going smoothly except for a few little coral issues. This is my zoa rock in the center of my tank(came with the tank), luckily not touching anything else but it seems to have a sponge growing on it, so far i have tried pulling it off, letting it set it air for a few minutes and used a que-tip with H2O2 to remove it but it has been stubborn. i love my zoas and would like to prevent this from taking them out, any advice would be great. i will also post a build thread soon. new to this forum.

aviationreef · Sep 28, 2015

Update i moved around the powerheads 3 days and that area has less flow, i had to move them due to sand issues. the sponge really took off after this moving. how do i balance powerhead placement with prevent sand based issues.

2nd update i am now seeing it for the first time in a few new other rocks, moved powerheads back down and am hoping this isnt a tank killer

jasonandsarah · Sep 28, 2015

I've seen similar sponges before and I normally just try to peel and brush off as much as I possibly can and rinse in tank water (separate container) before placing back into your tank. Repeat ever few days until you've gotten rid of it.

FarmerTy · Sep 28, 2015

If it's just zoas on that rock and it's removable, maybe try some hydrogen peroxide sprayed on it and see if it'll kill off the sponge? Your zoas will be ticked for a few days but should survive.

veselym · Sep 28, 2015

I actually have the same thing happening...only on zoanthid frags, my zoanthids still open but can see it taking over

erk · Sep 28, 2015

I have some sort of bright orange encrusting sponge that is slowly taking over a frag with palys on it. Nice orange color, but does not die. Even when exposed to air. Not sure if I should kill it. Is it possible for these sponges to take over an entire tank?