Pinapple Sponge outbreak

[ethuman]

Over the past few days Ive noticed more and more sponges on my live rock and glass. This happened for the first time after I added my live rock and the tank cycled. I know they are not harmful and actually beneficial but anyone know what causes these sponge outbreaks?

 

[cloak]

Elevated nutrients in the water?

 

[ethuman]

Amonnia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 0
ph 8.0

What else should I be testing for?

 

[cloak]

Maybe nutrients isn't the right word, but whatever it is that they're feeding on there must be plenty of it in the water. How old is the tank? A population bloom like this is actually quite common for new tanks. As it matures, the number of pineapple sponges will most likely decline.

 

[ethuman]

Been up and running about 4 months now. I just added more dry rock as well last week after soaking the dry rock for 3 weeks so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[Grkgod36]

new tanks usually get them then some go away

 

[heathlindner25]

perfectly normal for 4 months they will diminish

 

[Nuluxe]

It's a new tank, lots of different critters colonize.

Angels love sponges

 

[nuxx]

Wouldn't worry about them, it's a good sign

 

[Bent]

They will self adjust their numbers based on the available nutrients.