sponges in refugium?

[supermarvin76]

I have been reading a lot lately about how great sponges are. I am thinking about getting some (or one) to try in my refugium.

Woundering if anyone has done this? I know some big time aquarists have dedicated "sponge tanks" inline with their system.

Any info on this topic would be great, as well as the care of sponges. i.e. light, etc...

Thanks

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

What sponge are you looking to keep? Most likely you already have little Scypha Sponges all over the place.

 

[supermarvin76]

I am not sure what sponges I would like. I am looking to use it more as a filter than a decor piece.

I don't know much about them and am very open to suggestions as to what I should try.

Thanks

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Most sponges in the aquarium trade are intended to be ornamental. They are all "filters" per say. So, it's up to you what one. There really isn't a right or wrong decision as long as you are able to meet their needs. I would talk around to some fellow reefers to see if they have some random sponges growing in their rocks.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Also the LFS may give you some for free - if it's growing like crazy in one of their tanks, it will likely be fine in yours (talking about the non-ornamental types)

 

[marinelife]

http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com click on Farmed Sponges

 

[KafudaFish]

Seems like someone else posted this earlier and used the farmed sponges. I believe that she felt it was not worth the cost but I could be wrong. I have numerous species on my display rock and they have colonized my base rock. It only took a few months for them to spread so you don't need a large supply.

 

[InvertLover]

not meaning to kidnap the thread, but could someone direct me to a thread with a sponge tank? I've been looking for a while, but have not found anything yet. I love sponges, but as of yet only have a few. thanks!

 

[jhornik]

Ever heard of a cryptic refugium? Just put a bunch of live rock in your sump, if it's dark sponges will just grow and it will act as a bio filter for your tank.

 

[supermarvin76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8225000#post8225000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jhornik
Ever heard of a cryptic refugium? Just put a bunch of live rock in your sump, if it's dark sponges will just grow and it will act as a bio filter for your tank.

I am thinking that there is more to this than just that. Anyone else have anymore info about this.

This is what I would like to do....maybe.

Are there benefits to this?

 

[InvertLover]

I'm thought about this a bit, but wouldn't there be a lot of maintenance involved? I would imagine it would be the same as corals, with the sponges filling the spaces between the rocks and reducing the flow, maybe to the point where the ones inside the rock would die?

 

[daytonians]

you don't want that much rock in a cryptic. Make large openning between rock. Sponges don't need much flow. Just so that the get some small amount, they do fine.