What is growing on my rock

Less · Mar 12, 2019

Have a 155 gallon bow front tank that's been up and running for about 14 years. It was mainly a f o w l r tank. I have noticed what appears to be some type of sponge growing on the Rock turned from a brown to a bright yellow, and was wondering if this sponge is beneficial or not to a reef tank?

khushtram · Mar 12, 2019

Holy mushrooms Batman !!

TriggerFinger · Mar 12, 2019

khushtram said:
Holy mushrooms Batman !!

I scrolled to type the exact thing!

MrObscura · Mar 12, 2019

I'd say mushrooms are growing on it.

Less · Mar 12, 2019

Yeah they grow like crazy, but is the yellow sponges?

khushtram · Mar 12, 2019

Looks like sponges and yes beneficial just don’t expose them to air or it will cause some die off

sfin52 · Mar 12, 2019

Holy snork thats load of shrooms. @Katrina71 and @Musovski check out @Less shroom tank. Thats a beautiful tank sir

Less · Mar 12, 2019

Thanks, what causes them to change color?
Look really nice when bright yellow.

cracker · Mar 12, 2019

The yellow sponge is beneficial for sure & very nice looking . I have a few smaller pieces. As for the shrooms, I'm sure You know that ! lol

eggplantparrot · Mar 12, 2019

Wooow, that is crazy awesome lookin.

So uhh... Do you plan on keeping mushrooms in that tank?

Katrina71 · Mar 12, 2019

Very cool!

Jobsafish · Mar 12, 2019

I love that tank. Who needs SPS when you’ve got a tank full of softies.

Less · Mar 12, 2019

Change from yellow to brown, would love to figure out how to keep yellow

Less · Mar 12, 2019

Those mushrooms started out as 4, just multiply. Would like to get some other kinds and mix it up a bit.

Woody1911a1 · Mar 12, 2019

that is just amazing !

TriggerFinger · Mar 14, 2019

They might not be turning brown, it could be another sponge taking over the yellow. I have more pink/brown sponges than the pretty bright orange on my rocks.

Less · Mar 14, 2019

TriggerFinger said:
They might not be turning brown, it could be another sponge taking over the yellow. I have more pink/brown sponges than the pretty bright orange on my rocks.

I thought that at first, but it changes back and forth. Just was wondering why? would love to be able to keep it yellow.

TriggerFinger · Mar 14, 2019

Oh. I think some sponges are finicky. The flow could have changed and upset them, the nutrients or the lighting. Maybe something is perching on the yellow and it’s getting upset about that? Not too sure