Is this a coral or a sopnge and why is so happy now?

[road102]

Hello

I bought this from my LFS a long time ago and I have no idea if this is a coral or a sponge, the interesting thing is that now I can see fully extended and growing polyps that open and close.
All this happened after I used some natural seawater that I brought home from the beach (Florida).

Anyway, this guy is Happy but I also had a biofilm bloom floating on the surface of my tank, its been a month and I still need to remove it every week from my filters (thick white/tan slime)
I did increase Carbon dosing with vinegar but I think is fueling the biofilm , so yes, many variables at the same time, let me know what you think...

Have a great weekend and happy reefing !!

_________
LiFeiSlIkeWatEr

 

[StatelineReefer]

That is a non-photosynthetic coral, gorgonian by broad terms, I don't have a whole lot of experience with them so I couldn't tell you the exact species or subspecies.

That it extended and the polyps opened up when you added natural seawater is no coincidence, they feed off floating zooplankton and phytoplankton and bacteria.

Carbon dosing will have sustained it, broadcast feeding of zooplankton will make it thrive.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello

I bought this from my LFS a long time ago and I have no idea if this is a coral or a sponge, the interesting thing is that now I can see fully extended and growing polyps that open and close.
All this happened after I used some natural seawater that I brought home from the beach (Florida).

Anyway, this guy is Happy but I also had a biofilm bloom floating on the surface of my tank, its been a month and I still need to remove it every week from my filters (thick white/tan slime)
I did increase Carbon dosing with vinegar but I think is fueling the biofilm , so yes, many variables at the same time, let me know what you think...

Have a great weekend and happy reefing !!

_________
LiFeiSlIkeWatEr

Its gorgonian and looks healthy. Feed phyto occasionally