What are these?

[coralosity351]

what these white things growing on the bottom of my rocks?

 

[meir]

Most probably some sort of worm looks a bit like a Christmas tree worm but I'm probably wrong

 

[coralosity351]

Are they bad?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

pineapple sponges. Good stuff

 

[killingseed2000]

pineapple sponge, good filter feeder

 

[NanaReefer]

Pineapple Sponges. Totally harmless filter feeders. Thrive on silicates found mostly in newer tank setups. Once tank matures the sponges will disappear.

 

[jpontier212]

Pineapple Sponges. Totally harmless filter feeders. Thrive on silicates found mostly in newer tank setups. Once tank matures the sponges will disappear.

Glad to hear that. I have a bunch in my sump and now i have some in the DP

 

[meir]

Is there any way to keep them alive

 

[Tahoe61]

Pineapple sponge populations seem to be larger the first 6-12 months, after that the population declines somewhat. Pineapple sponges appear to thrive in cryptic areas of the tank ie: sumps, fuge, behind power heads..

 

[NanaReefer]

Is there any way to keep them alive

Not unless you wish to keep a tank high in silicates. Here's a good read on sponges.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rs/

 

[meir]

Not unless you wish to keep a tank high in silicates. Here's a good read on sponges.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rs/

So basically u can't keep sponges in a reef aquarium

 

[salttanklife]

You can also look them up under q-tip sponge.

 

[Naiad]

So basically u can't keep sponges in a reef aquarium

You can but they need special care and it is a balancing act of nutrients. Every species is different in their requirements.

 

[meir]

You can but they need special care and it is a balancing act of nutrients. Every species is different in their requirements.

What the easiest species to care for

 

[Naiad]

The hitchickers that come in liverock that you never see lol. They live in the rock feeding on the nutrients produced by the rocks mini ecosystem. Unfortunately the very large and bright ones are difficult as they are like nps. There is a photosynthetic variety which can do well in reef lighting but is not easy to get.