Yep, sponge.
Have on mind exposing this one for too long on air, you will kill it (the sponge) after it will start to rot and smell very bad, which tend to kill the GSP.
if you already put it in a tank, observe the sponge, if it change the color, I advice you to peel it off, to be able to save the GSP.
But if nothing change and the GSP isn't bothered, leave it as it is, if you do like it.