Sponges and Zoas?

[raddchad319]

I read on another websites thread that sponges will grow over zoanthids. Has anyone on RC ever experienced this? I am wanting to buy some red and orange tree sponges and don't want to hurt my zoas.

 

[650-IS350]

use tweezers to rip them off the frags.

 

[raddchad319]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15334063#post15334063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 650-IS350
use tweezers to rip them off the frags.

So, sponges are bad for zoanthids? I'm sorry. I'm going on my 5th year of reefkeeping and I've never heard this.

 

[cloak]

Not bad, they can just smother them though. Sponges are sort of another filter when you think about it. I want tons of those, just not here & there. Cryptic perhaps.

 

[raddchad319]

I'm just not going to get any sponges. I couldn't imagine having my PPE's smothered by a sponge. I like sponges and always thought they tended to stay in the darker spots (more cryptic) but not that they would grow out among zoas and eventually smother them.

 

[cloak]

To bad you can't sell those sponges like the PPE's.

GL.

 

[betamed]

encrusting sponges can spread and grow over zoas. I've had to pull various sponge soff of frags at times, its not hard to do and most sponge don't like bright light anyway. The non encrusting sponges should not be an issue, but they don't always do well in aquariums.

 

[YoungReefer06]

The orange and red tree sponges will be no problem for you at all, I almost guarantee it lol. It is some encrusting sponges, usually imported on live rock, that can grow very fast and out-compete the zoas for space.

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15345989#post15345989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by YoungReefer06
The orange and red tree sponges will be no problem for you at all, I almost guarantee it lol. It is some encrusting sponges, usually imported on live rock, that can grow very fast and out-compete the zoas for space.

Completely agree... Tree sponges and ball sponges will not be a problem... Only the invasive encrusting kinds...

This is the best method I have found for sponge removal:

http://www.reefhobbyistmagazine.com/archives/vol_2/issue8/pages/issue_8-25.htm

 

[raddchad319]

I was actually considering buying a orange tree and red ball sponge and trying them and if they started to overgrow my zoas remove them. But you're right that they're difficult to keep alive anyway so they shouldn't create a problem. I know the yellow and white encrusting sponges and those are the ones that create problems. I don't personally have any but I have friends who do. That does answer my question. Thanks!

 

[650-IS350]

I know I have a lot of sponges growing in my tank. Time to time I would have to rip them off the frag plugs or when they start growing near my corals.

 

[lostintheocean]

i have a colony of pink palys that grew super fast, think zenia speed. Theyr were thick and pretty nice. Then they started to get smaller and not as thick. They still grow well but the origional frag plug is showing well should be now. The plug is covered by a whitish sponce. I have watched it get larger covering the frag plug. Now there are only a few massive polyps sticking out of the frag plug. It works out though now I dont have to scrape them off the rock as much.