Feeding Sponges ?

[wnppmy]

I weekly add live brine but likely too large for the sponge? Certainly will check out the reef bug eggs that hatch, cool!

Found them, they hatch in aquarium water in 30 minutes, do you have a way of keeping the eqq shells away or isn't necessary just add these directly to your tank?

Found some info, can mix in cup or directly to tank, teaspoon per 100 gallon tank, my 14GBio far smaller will add sparingly. Foster has some, definitely order some, Tnx indeed!

http://marcweissexotics.com/reef_bugs.htm

And Foster has them! Placed an order already!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18508

Some are less than 1 micron size, definitely in the 1.5 micron sponge range!

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Yay! Reef Bugs? Yeah, just love them! Hope you like them too. It's the best.
I also use ESV time released dry phytoplankton. It's awesome too. It's kind of a pain cause I keep it in the fridge. I've tried Oyster Feast, by Reef Nutrition, and have heard amazing things about it. I have faith that its a great product, but it has to be kept refrigerated so its a bit of a pain. I also use Reef Roids and Goniopowder, and mix with a bit of Selcon or a drop from a vitamin E capsule. I figure a mixed diet is a safe way to go. The Zoos and Montis also eat this stuff as well, so it's worth it.

 

[wnppmy]

Will go easy on the additions, my setup is abit small 14G.

Looking forward to the reef bugs, should be interesting to say the least. Using the sponge power as well.

Other than my rough handling a few spots, sponge still looking great.

Patiently waiting for the reef bugs to arrive!

 

[wnppmy]

To be complete I add a frozen jellyfish plankton from Jelly Fish Arts. Not that I suggest this, left over from my jellyfish experience, fish absolutely love it, and notice my pipe organ, and long hair mushroom react favorably as well.

System aged 1 1/2 years

14GBio, Stock Low Med Lighting, LED moonlight, light run7 hours, moonlight into evening
Long hair and brown mushrooms
GreenStar, PipeOrgan Soft Coral
Small clown, dotty, Dwarf Cherub, fed 4 times weekly, when able graze feed what's consumed 1 min.
Dwarf Octopus, Lasted near year, These live 12 months
Newly Added Orange Flower Sponge

Newbies, Cherub should be in a larger tank least 30 Gallon or more.

Not at all suggesting this setup, again to be complete on its progress.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Jellyfish plankton?! I gotta try that. Thanks!

 

[Duality]

I've read that sponges eat silicates too

 

[wnppmy]

Water in my tank about as clear as I have seen this evening. Like to believe its the sponge. Also new additive using sponge power. Still waiting for the reef bugs arrival.

 

[wnppmy]

Yesterday received from Florida an Orange Plate Coral, freezing temps up here Midwest but heater pack in shipment helped, long stingers may move it abit more.

Patiently waiting for the reef bugs to arrive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Uxn_7KhTY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[wnppmy]

Reef bugs arrived!

Very small amounts added, infact first dosage in test tube. After 30 minutes added to tank, feeding frenzy, clown and cherub had a feast!

Best responses so far is the Sponge Power.
Brine shrimp rate 2nd.
Jelly Fish Arts Frozen Jellyfish Plankton 3rd
My early humble opinion

 

[wnppmy]

Likely due to low temps during shipment the plate coral didn't survive, have to pick one up locally next time.

However the Orange Flower Sponge is fine. About 3 weeks now. Color is a beauty, infact a visitor responded, Is That Real? Oh yeah!

Again suggest a well established tank for the sponge, thrive also on the beneficial bacteria likely in mature tanks, be diligent on a stable salinity very important including sponges. Keep mine at 1.0245.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Glad to hear your sponge is doing so well.

 

[Allmost]

sponges ... feed them bacteria ... they will grow like crazy.

Si is a must.

 

[wnppmy]

Agree on that, apparently mine has quite abit going on. So far sponge continues to look great.

Off topic lost my first orange plate, had a freeze
on shipment, too much and died. But local shop picked up some, requested a short tentacle plate. Looks intact, see how it fairs in my modest setup.

Sponge Power giving best response including sponge todate.

 

[wnppmy]

Apologize moonlight doesn't show the sponges color here, doing fine. Meanwhile New short tentacle green plate coral picked up from local shop, bright color under moonlight, neat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIERz07hU4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[wnppmy]

Exactly a month, sponge looking ok. Also recent short tentacles green plate coral after first days, using sponge power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoMxVpQ8NZo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Believe I'll gradually move up from twice weekly to 3 times weekly on the sponge power, reactions are favorable todate. Would go near daily but my small 14G need to be careful.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I've read that sponges eat silicates too

Going to start dosing silicates. This ought to be interesting....:worried:

How do you feed the sponges bacteria? Is carbon dosing the best way?