I love TBS rocks

[JoJosReef]

Years after introducing them, they continue to surprise me. My TBS rock has really ramped up sponge growth over the past couple of months!

 

[LiquidSpace]

That’s awesome! It looks like a big fat cartoon octopus.

I seeded my sump with TBS base rock and sand, my lights stayed off for 8 months and I legitimately had coraline going within 2 to 3 weeks after turning on the lights. I can’t wait to add some premium stuff.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

Years after introducing them, they continue to surprise me. My TBS rock has really ramped up sponge growth over the past couple of months!

Sweet Sponges!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Years after introducing them, they continue to surprise me. My TBS rock has really ramped up sponge growth over the past couple of months!

Do you dose anything like phyto or bacteria or organic carbon to help feed them? Or silicate?

 

[Miami Reef]

Do you get natural diatom growth?

It could be a sign of silica from the source water. It isn’t a problem at all, but it would imply the sponge can get silicate without intentionally dosing it.

I’m curious how you get to maintain that growth. Following!

 

[JoJosReef]

Do you dose anything like phyto or bacteria or organic carbon to help feed them? Or silicate?

Silicates and bacteria? Way too much work. I do add phyto almost daily, but these were growing long before I started doing that. Admittedly , growth has increased since regular phyto dosing. I akso run an Avast Plank feeder that dispenses "Reef Jerkey".

 

[JoJosReef]

Do you get natural diatom growth?

It could be a sign of silica from the source water. It isn’t a problem at all, but it would imply the sponge can get silicate without intentionally dosing it.

I’m curious how you get to maintain that growth. Following!

sand bed can get a light dusting (very light), which is what the three "bear" conches are for.

 

[JoJosReef]

Does ChaeroGrow have silicates? I casually add 5-10mL every month or so.

 

[Reef Wizard]

Years after introducing them, they continue to surprise me. My TBS rock has really ramped up sponge growth over the past couple of months!

Nice. I notice crazy amounts of pineapple sponges after feeding with selcon

 

[Miami Reef]

Does ChaeroGrow have silicates? I casually add 5-10mL every month or so.

Nope.

If you have silicates, and you don’t dose, it’s likely coming from the RO/DI. Silicate is one of the weakest ions to bind, and easily gets knocked off by other strongly charged ions as the DI gets depleted.

Silicate is not a problem and is good for diatoms which feeds pods and corals.

FYI Not every sponge will use silicate. Some use organics or calcium carbonate to build their spicules, or a combination of the 3.