Sponge Dominant Mixed Reef

[VintageReefer]

I do not run a skimmer nor do I perform water changes. I don’t use filter roller, socks, or any mech filtration. My only filtration is my live rock, algae turf scrubber, and a cryptic zone in my sump with various whitish or yellow “mound sponges” , 3@ sandbed, various worms. I have a chemi pure bag and matrix bag on a shelf also in the sump between chambers 2 and 3. No snails or crabs in the cryptic zone.

 

[VintageReefer]

@ISpeakForTheSeas do you know the type of sponge in post 40?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

@ISpeakForTheSeas do you know the type of sponge in post 40?

Not specifically, no - it's a tube/rope/finger sponge of some variety, but to get a proper ID on it would likely require microscope pics of the spicules with and without spongin present (and no guarantees I'd be able to recognize the sponge from the spicules, unfortunately).

I could list off a few possibilities, but I wouldn't feel confident in any of them without microscope pics:

Anyway, here’s a good Sponge ID resource for anyone who’s interested- as mentioned, though, sometimes DNA is the best indicator for telling sponges apart:
https://www.fao.org/3/i7773e/i7773e.pdf And, here’s a decent example of why sponge ID by non-microscopic sight is not always reliable:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure...rating-variations-in-shape-and_fig6_248716402

 

[Northern Flicker]

Very cool build. Was that a Blue Hippo Tang? I don't think they are ideal for a sponge ecosystem which will likely run very nutrient high.

 

[Weaverjay101]

I do not run a skimmer nor do I perform water changes. I don’t use filter roller, socks, or any mech filtration. My only filtration is my live rock, algae turf scrubber, and a cryptic zone in my sump with various whitish or yellow “mound sponges” , 3@ sandbed, various worms. I have a chemi pure bag and matrix bag on a shelf also in the sump between chambers 2 and 3. No snails or crabs in the cryptic zone.

I have a very similar setup going on this build. No skimmer or mechanical filtration. Refugium with caulerpa mexicana in it. and I've recently converted the old skimmer location to a large cryptic zone. No sponge growth in the cryptic zone yet. What are the chemi pure and matrix for?

 

[Weaverjay101]

Very cool build. Was that a Blue Hippo Tang? I don't think they are ideal for a sponge ecosystem which will likely run very nutrient high.

Due to the combination of refugium and sponges I will actually have very low overall nutrients in the tank. The macro uses up nitrate and phosphate and secretes dissolved organic carbon into the water. That DOC is in turn consumed by sponges. Even though I will be feeding heavy as I get more fish the macros and sponges will be removing just as much.

 

[VintageReefer]

What are the chemi pure and matrix for?

Chemipure - I just always used this stuff for over a decade. I feel it’s good to help polish water and remove certain impurities

Matrix is a biological media that holds bacteria, I just keep this to seed other tanks that I startup

 

[GARRIGA]

Chemipure - I just always used this stuff for over a decade. I feel it’s good to help polish water and remove certain impurities

Matrix is a biological media that holds bacteria, I just keep this to seed other tanks that I startup

Was using chemi pure in the 90s. Was using it recently too. Old habits die hard but now switching to ROX. Seems a lot cheaper so I will see how that goes.

Been using pumice (matrix) but now trying Fluval FX biological. Larger pore structure. Looks like a plausible substitute and this way I’m actually paying for something manufactured vs relabeled potting media.

You can see below how the blue die infiltrated the media. Hopefully pores large enough not to clog with biofilm.

 

[VintageReefer]

Was using chemi pure in the 90s. Was using it recently too. Old habits die hard but now switching to ROX. Seems a lot cheaper so I will see how that goes.

Been using pumice (matrix) but now trying Fluval FX biological. Larger pore structure. Looks like a plausible substitute and this way I’m actually paying for something manufactured vs relabeled potting media.

You can see below how the blue die infiltrated the media. Hopefully pores large enough not to clog with biofilm.

I’ve heard that the matrix pores are too small. But I’ve used it successfully and many others have too. I just had some extra laying around so I threw it in a media bag and leave it in. It’s aluminum free

For new build I bought this and have them seeding in another tank

 

[GARRIGA]

I’ve heard that the matrix pores are too small. But I’ve used it successfully and many others have too. I just had some extra laying around so I threw it in a media bag and leave it in. It’s aluminum free

For new build I bought this and have them seeding in another tank

I'll have to checked that out. Looks promising plus I'm also looking to trap detritus and let it decompose.

 

[VintageReefer]

Link to product

Amazon.com

The large water opening allows water to flow through and a place for pods to live also

 

[Weaverjay101]

Recently upgraded my XR15's with the high intensity lens kit. Was amazed at the par increase. Bottom of the tank jumped from 44 to 76 par and the top of the rockwork jumped from 140 to 200 par. Already noticed increased growth from the blue plating sponge.

 

[Weaverjay101]

Bought a piece of this blue rope sponge from @VintageReefer showed up looking great! Can't wait to see it grow in

 

[VintageReefer]

Lookin good!

 

[Eric R.]

As far as Phyto, are you running a continual culture, or do you restart the culture periodically and clean and sanitize the culturing container?

I just run a rigid airline into my cultures, and they get very dark after a week or so. I think it usually depends on how much fertilizer I use per gallon.

 

[Weaverjay101]

As far as Phyto, are you running a continual culture, or do you restart the culture periodically and clean and sanitize the culturing container?

I just run a rigid airline into my cultures, and they get very dark after a week or so. I think it usually depends on how much fertilizer I use per gallon.

I've been doing a continuous culture. No crashes and very minimal maintenance

 

[Weaverjay101]

As far as Phyto, are you running a continual culture, or do you restart the culture periodically and clean and sanitize the culturing container?

I just run a rigid airline into my cultures, and they get very dark after a week or so. I think it usually depends on how much fertilizer I use per gallon.

Eventually I plan to experiment with a CO2 diffuser in the culture to see if it increases density.

 

[Eric R.]

I've been doing a continuous culture. No crashes and very minimal maintenance

Nannochloropsis occulata?

 

[Weaverjay101]

Nannochloropsis occulata?

I'm not sure. I need to purchase a microscope and learn to identify them

 

[Weaverjay101]

Figured Id take a few pictures of my favorite fish. Little neon goby. These guys are super cheap and have great personality. Need to add some more