? about orange sponges

[Russ Braaten]

I love the look and color of both the branching and ball sponges that are bright orange. The one I had 2 years ago never started growing. All it did was wilt away.

I made sure it was never out of the water. Has anyone had luck keeping these sponges? Should I give it another try? I do have white sponges growing on the underside of a lot of my rock now. Maybe my system is more sponge friendly?

Your thoughts?

 

[captbunzo]

Funny thing, I just got one of those orange tree sponges last week. In all honesty, I don't know if I really like it all that much. It almost looks fake. And from what I have heard, it is likely to not grow too well....

 

[papagimp]

I had a similar orange sponge come in one some live rock I purchased from reefshop, it didn't last too long either. shame too, cause it's the whole reason I bought that particular piece.

 

[zoomfish1]

I've had one for about 4 months now. I was told that when it gets a crusty look on the tips it is thriving. So far not much crust, but still looks healthy. Aand, they do add some magnificent color to the tank.

 

[Prater]

I have had both the orange and purple sponge. I believe they like a shaded area under some rockwork. It has been about three years since I have had any.

 

[captbunzo]

Yeah, I am thinking about mincing some of my new orange sponge for use in my benthic zone in my new refugium... (for my Dallas tank)

 

[jpitts101]

i got the prettiest orange sponge about 3 months ago on a rock with a leather coral. i put it in my quarentine tank and checked on it the next day and the sponge was gone!! boo hoo!! but wait, it wasnt gone it just moved to a different side of the rock. now guys/gals im talking about the prettiest sponge ever, it had some of the prettiest polyp's all over it!!! it was about 3 inches long and every so often it seemed the sponge died and a new one appeared, hey that was ok with me!! i got some fast multiplying sponge. Well one night after work i went to my garage to check on the coral and the sponge was on it. stupid me reaches in the tank to move this mysterious sponge off the coral and it moved!!! scared the **** out of me!!!! ( sorry for the fake profanity.) it was a nudibranch!! needless to say i hate all sponges now!! ohh by the way i got him out, and the leather recovered well and is doing great to this day! and yes i may be a little stupid but you really couldnt tell it was a nudibranch. it stayed tightly in the rock all day and came out at night to eat.

 

[Lazyreefer]

I wonder how many sponges, flower pots and elegance corals live? 5 % or less??? Everyone should boycott purchasing things with that low of a survival rate. For the corals and thier pocket books!!
BTW, I know of many people with many tanks. I know of no one with one of the above corals that is still living. I have been in saltwater about 7 years. I have killed a few of these myself. However, its been more than 5 years since I have done so.
The local LFS said they would all be fine btw. LOL, they still do!

 

[OUBrook]

I've had several sponges. I thought they added great color for my tank and gave my ponies something to hang out on. I don't know anyone that have had luck keeping them. I've even seen them dying off in Crystal Clear Aq. I've been able to keep them for several months, then poof! They say no more and die. It kills me. I blame it on myself that somehow I got air on them, but who knows. I just think they're stinky.

 

[BigScott]

i got a lime green, yellow sponge an its kinda like my tank doc.. when its not healty neither is my tank.. its beeen growing like mad.. i think its kinds cool..it sticks to the underside of my rocks..
but it never moves, it opens up when i feed, it has a mouth..but
i got one thats a PEST...its a pink one...

BIG SCOTT