Keeping sea sponges questions

[Mattchamp]

Hello everyone so recently I've been thinking about getting some sea sponges what are your thoughts? Are they easy to keep? Do they pollute your tank when they die? Are they worth it? And should I just stick to the sponges that grow on the liverock? And any other info would be great thanks :)

 

[ebushrow]

I would suggest if you want a sponge to go with a photosynthetic one....the typical orange tree and red tree sponges do not do will in a tank without a ton of feeding....and when they die they dtend to die slowly and deteriorate ... Haven't seen them pollute a tank yet...however anything is possible. Blue/purple vase sponges are photosynthetic and tend to do well if given the appropriate light and flow. Hope this helps!

 

[Mattchamp]

The red trees are not good? I was just about to buy one yesterday but got a green mushroom corals instead and are these photosynthetic ones rare or common in the trade?

 

[Mattchamp]

Also where should I position them? thanks

 

[slapshot]

Not good at all. They require a dark spot, well some do anyway some are photosynthetic most are not. They all require lots if food, no phosphate or nitrate and a tremendous amount of flow.

 

[Mattchamp]

Ok thanks

 

[Mattchamp]

Also do they need frequent feedings or can the feed themselves? thanks