Sponges growing back Is that a good thing?

[JLAURIA751]

when I got my live rock it came with sponges and sea squirts. I scraped them off with a wire brush, and they seem 2 be growing back slowly is this a sign of good stable water? Thanks for any replies. Oh and I only scraped them off becaus I was told they wre going 2 die anyways and it would take longer 2 cycle my tank.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

yes it is a good sign, not always nessararly stable water but decent water.

 

[Sk8r]

Pity to scrape them off. Well grown Sea squirts go for about 20 apiece, same for sponges.
If you want them back, and I would, feed phyto, but watch your algae levels.

I don't cure my live rock. I just deal with what crawls off/out of it, and have been very happy with the result.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

exactly what he said.

 

[JLAURIA751]

thanks, I try 2 do frequent water changes about 20% weekly. Hope they grow as nice as they were when I had them. I test my water alot and my Ph is 7.6-7.8 low akalinity is high 250-300 ppm, my calcium is a little on the high side 480-510. I dont test for phosphate, bc I don't have an algea problem. amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20-30 ppm.

I really appreciate all the experienced reefers answering our noob questions thank you to all the people who give advice on reef central.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

"nitrate 20-30 ppm"...with 20% weekly wc changes and you still have this problem?

IMO...Test your waterchange water as Nitrates are kinda high.....

 

[JLAURIA751]

I think the LR I got was worth the money it was $7.99 a Lb it was real dense but the life on it was amazing. It also had a few plants on it . and it seeded the less expensive LR I got.

 

[JLAURIA751]

My nitrates are high because I don't have a protein skimmer, and a pretty big bioload. 2 false percula clowns, 1 red spotted goby, 1 small fire fish, 1 mexican turbo snail, 6 red leg hermits, 6 blue leg hermits, and 6 astra snails, and a1 mexican turbo snail (Very good algea eater)

 

[seapug]

Sponges are great living water filters that will often grow, fade, then re-appear over time in cycles. Different species thrive on different food sources, so the kind you have must be enjoying some aspect of your water quality or they wouldn't be growing.