How can I control sponge growth?

[ChrisQ0904]

I have a sponge in my tank, I don't know which it is, and it's slowly taking over my GSP. How can I go about eliminating the sponge or at least slow down the growth of the sponge? Taking it out of water doesn't seem like an option because it's on my overflow and removing that isn't going to happen. I'm just trying to save my GSP at this point because the sponge seems to be outgrowing the GSP.

Here are some pictures of the sponge.

Thanks in advanced
-Chris

 

[zesty]

If taking the sponge out of the water isn't an option, what about taking the water out of your tank until the sponge is exposed to air?
Maybe since he's on the overflow, you can scrape him off?

Those are the 2 things that pop into my head right off.

 

[Oscaror]

fill a syringe with air, and pump it in that sucker! Not sure if that would work, but creative way to kill a sponge.

 

[jzaso]

limit your nutrients- particulate matter, up your skimming and it will subside killing the animal will not be the long term answer taking care of the excess
nutrients will be.

 

[GHill762]

assuming you want to get rid of the sponge, take a razor blade and cut the gsp just above the affected area, then use razor to scrape all the sponge and dead gsp off the glass.

edit: just realized that it's on the overflow, if it's acrylic I wouldn't use a razor, maybe some kind of plastic knife or something

 

[ChrisQ0904]

My issue with scraping it off is wont tiny pieces fall elsewhere and I'll have it growing all of the place?

I used to run a REALLY dry skim the stuff that came out was black. As jzaso suggested I'm going to run a little wetter and see how that goes. I don't mind having a sponge because I know they're great filter feeders but since it's outgrowing my GSP its starting to bother me

 

[tripdad]

Be careful, a sponge is an excellent filter of tank water. killing it off completly, hard to tell exactly how big it is, may cause a rise in nutrients. I would try scraping it off and moving it or as jzaso said lower your nutrients a lot and it will subside in growth but may not die. They are cool, enjoy.