Why so many pineapple sponges

[Westoncase]

I understand that pineapple sponge are not exactly a bad thing thing but is there a reason that there are hundreds of them in my sump/overflow? I was under the impression that they would die back after a few months. Tank almost a year old.

 

[ScottR]

I understand that pineapple sponge are not exactly a bad thing thing but is there a reason that there are hundreds of them in my sump/overflow? I was under the impression that they would die back after a few months. Tank almost a year old.

I’ve read that they use silicates to survive. Not sure if true but would make sense since they are typically seen with diatom blooms and new tanks. Are you using RODI? Added any new sand or rock? Just a hunch.

 

[Westoncase]

I’ve read that they use silicates to survive. Not sure if true but would make sense since they are typically seen with diatom blooms and new tanks. Are you using RODI? Added any new sand or rock? Just a hunch.

I do use rodi and i added a small piece of live rock back in October.

 

[chromis]

I also had a pineapple sponge bloom at one point and it turned out it was in response to a phytoplankton bloom. I got rid of the phyto by adding a UV sterilizer, afterwards the pineapple sponge population drastically decreased.

 

[Westoncase]

I also had a pineapple sponge bloom at one point and it turned out it was in response to a phytoplankton bloom. I got rid of the phyto by adding a UV sterilizer, afterwards the pineapple sponge population drastically decreased.

How did you figure out it was a phyto bloom

 

[chromis]

How did you figure out it was a phyto bloom

At first the water looked a little cloudy (whitish), eventually took on a green hue.

 

[ReefPodd]

I have a sudden pineapple sponge bloom throughout my sump and DT as well. I recently started using an ATO. What’s the significance of RODI/silicates and the bloom?

 

[Michael Gray]

I have a bunch in my sump as well. Had them for months. I use rodi and started with dry rock. Reef marco rock and dry tropic Eden reef sand. I still have alot. And tank has been up since august 3rd.