Reef Safe Sponge?

enlighten · Oct 11, 2024

Is there a sponge that is reef safe? Meaning not competing with coral or becoming a nuisance for equipment and maintainence?

Something that doesnt encrust and could either be used as a nice display piece or potentially in the sump with some live rock and miracle mud?

Am I thinking too hard on it? Is DOC controllable with equipment only?

Should I listen to Jake and avoid them at all costs? Or side with Salem and attempt to find a beneficial sponge to become a sink for my DOC?

Not sure, if there is Indo specific varieties on the market, but hoping to get some input before I scrap my refugium for a spongium.

TIA!

Subsea · Oct 11, 2024

“

enlighten said:
Is there a sponge that is reef safe? Meaning not competing with coral or becoming a nuisance for equipment and maintainence?

Something that doesnt encrust and could either be used as a nice display piece or potentially in the sump with some live rock and miracle mud?

Am I thinking too hard on it? Is DOC controllable with equipment only?

Should I listen to Jake and avoid them at all costs? Or side with Salem and attempt to find a beneficial sponge to become a sink for my DOC?

Not sure, if there is Indo specific varieties on the market, but hoping to get some input before I scrap my refugium for a spongium.

I get my ornamental sponges from Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Red Finger Sponge

With respect to DOC, cryptic sponges utilize both POC (particulate organic carbon) and DOC (dissolved organic carbon). Turn out the lights in your refugium and add some diver collected live rock.

Cryptic sponges are not a sink for DOC. Cryptic sponges assimilate DOC & POC and then slough off carbon rich detritus to feed the microbial loop.