Aussie Sponges!!!!

[tmz]

I don't have the parazoantus symbiotic sponge.
Sponges ,generally, proliferate in my aquariums more since I started vodka and vinegar dosing 4 years ago. Lot's of yellow sulfur sponge; still have some of that yellow finger sponge Gary mentioned too. There are also a bunch of lavender sponges; many others in the cryptic fuge and elesewhere. I also have a chunk of red orange carrribean sponge,formed more like a lobophyton than a typical balll spopnge that won't quit after more than 2 years. I know Randy Farley was experimenting with several sponges and vinegar dosing laat year. i believe on of the specimens he was playing with was a red tree sponge. I'm thinking abut getting afew more to see how they do. Might try the " aussie sponges", those zoanthus on them might like the bacteria and oranganics too, who knows.

I think the organics and some of the extra bacteria give them a boost. Sponges ,often noted for toxins, do good things for the most part ,imo, via their ability to process lot's of nutrient material into bioavailable forms like sponge cells which they spew out.

 

[S2minute]

parazoantus symbiotic sponge.

parazoantus symbiotic sponge.

I don't have the parazoantus symbiotic sponge.
Sponges ,generally, proliferate in my aquariums more since I started vodka and vinegar dosing 4 years ago. Lot's of yellow sulfur sponge; still have some of that yellow finger sponge Gary mentioned too. There are also a bunch of lavender sponges; many others in the cryptic fuge and elesewhere. I also have a chunk of red orange carrribean sponge,formed more like a lobophyton than a typical balll spopnge that won't quit after more than 2 years. I know Randy Farley was experimenting with several sponges and vinegar dosing laat year. i believe on of the specimens he was playing with was a red tree sponge. I'm thinking abut getting afew more to see how they do. Might try the " aussie sponges", those zoanthus on them might like the bacteria and oranganics too, who knows.

I think the organics and some of the extra bacteria give them a boost. Sponges ,often noted for toxins, do good things for the most part ,imo, via their ability to process lot's of nutrient material into bioavailable forms like sponge cells which they spew out.

Right on TMZ, my setup is similar to yours. My cryptic zone tank is a 150 gal standard with a 6' dsb with alot of LR that's covered with life. Everything from black and yellow sponge i never bought to lavender sponges that are growing very well. I have one in my DT covering a piece of LR the size of a softball. I also dose a kalk/vinegar mix at night and feed live Phyto daily. Plus, i have a frozen food mix i made in a blender that contains a wide variety of foods including Panamei frozen seafood mix and Spirulina Powder. My filter feeders thank me :love2: My only problem is not testing as often as i should...which i've since corrected

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

so maybe I'm missing something here......

You guys have the equipment and knowledge that MIGHT lend themselves to keeping one of these symbiotoc sponges long term.
Why balk because they're not available for cheap...

Why do you think they should be inexpensive?

and...

has ANYBODY in URS been successful maintaining a (much easier) tropical Atlantic tree sponge long term?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I used to offer frags of my yellow sponge for sale/trade.

I don't know of too many others doing that but the shipping alone on an Aussie Tree Sponge HAS to be significant. They can't give 'em away like the tropical Atlantic orange/red ones.

In any case, here's my yellow sponge today. I've been growing this in my system for over 10 years.

There are DEFINITELY some sponges you do not want to place in your reef aquarium because they are toxic and invasive.

 

[S2minute]

it's not so much that it's an expensive sponge but, it's MORE that the shops tend to overprice on just about all corals even frags ...esp. frags. Example: at frag "swaps". Those are setup so hobbyists can get a chance to sell their frags and give the host shop some business in the process. Alot of shops tend to price gouge to make max $ and to try and sell you the Brooklyn Bridge if they can. That's poor business ethics. A hobbyist selling at a swap. They are NOT businesses and the swap is also partly meant to let other hobbyists buy frags at a very good price..why?..because they are just like you and me...fellow hobbyists. There shouldn't be a FRAG sold for more than $25 at a swap no matter what it is imho. If i was set up at one, that's exactly what i'd do. Hell there shouldn't be a frag sold for more than $25 anywhere . Anything else ...is just plain GREED.

 

[cardiffgiant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVCtkzIXYzQ

 

[S2minute]

lol...doh!

 

[S2minute]

symbiotoc sponges

symbiotoc sponges

so maybe I'm missing something here......

You guys have the equipment and knowledge that MIGHT lend themselves to keeping one of these symbiotoc sponges long term.
Why balk because they're not available for cheap...

Why do you think they should be inexpensive?

and...

has ANYBODY in URS been successful maintaining a (much easier) tropical Atlantic tree sponge long term?

I'll bet you $10 of TMZs money i can keep one long term :dance:

 

[tmz]

has ANYBODY in URS been successful maintaining a (much easier) tropical Atlantic tree sponge long term?

I haven't tried a red/orange tree sponge in along time time, over 7yrs. I'm thinking about it. I tried the red ball sponges pre carbon dosing without success but the one I have now has been fine for over two years. I also noted a small uptick in certain sponge growth when I was able to stop gfo a month or two ago. I'm guessing it's attributable to a little more available silicate.
:artist::wildone:
I don't know if I could keep the symbiotic sponge,don't plan to try anytime soon, I'll try the tree sponge first .Besides I don't want to give Gary any money:spin3: