Orange tree sponge... What are you feeding yours?

fraggleRocks

New member
I rencently got an orange tree sponge from a friend a month ago.

75 gallon reef up and running about 6 months
DBS
150 lbs live rock
260 watts total lighting
Coraline is flourishing and spreading fast
all water paramenters are in check
calcium around 430
I suppliment with traces of Iodine and Strontium & molybdenum once a week.

He is on the bottom of the tank in the substrate. Ever since I got him he seems to be less "full" than before. Like the sponge is shriveling getting more compact. I sense that this isnt a good thing.

He isnt turning white or anything. his branches are not dying or shriveling or discoloring.

He is an an area of med/high flow
I stir the DBS sandbed 2 times a week

I have been dosing the tank with DT phyto and Kent marine Chromaplex, target feeding the phyto in his general direction.

Is thier anything else I can/should/could be doing to give this little guy the best chance?

Ive tried to read up on proper husbandry but the literature on thier feeding behavior is still being studied and debated and I'm trying to figure out the proper size for the phyto and if they also feed on bacteria or not (hence my stirring up the sandbed)
 
I realize this isn't the exact answer you may be looking for but ours has done very well using a variety of filter feeder additives (plus decent water flow). The rest is all about good tank care. Best of luck.
 
Back
Top