Sponge colony issue?

[jordanrb]

I've had this red sponge colony for a little while now. I've noticed the last week or two it looks to be shrinking, leaving behind a clear porus structure. Is this an issue and if so any things that could potentially cause it. Half of it is sitting in shade, half is in around 100par lighting.

 

[tripdad]

Dose a sponge specific additive. They require silicates to stay healthy. There are several out there. Most sponges are non photosynthetic so lower light is best to stop algae growth. They do need flow as they feed from the water column on very small particulate foods and bacteria.

 

[jordanrb]

Dose a sponge specific additive. They require silicates to stay healthy. There are several out there. Most sponges are non photosynthetic so lower light is best to stop algae growth. They do need flow as they feed from the water column on very small particulate foods and bacteria.

Ok thank you. My tank has a fairly high flow rate. I'm going to guess it is probably the silicates. Will the red sponge part come back if I dose for the silicates?

 

[tripdad]

In my tank it's been hard to recover a sponge. Easier to maintain from new than to repair. I do have a purple sponge though that has grown substantially.

 

[jordanrb]

In my tank it's been hard to recover a sponge. Easier to maintain from new than to repair. I do have a purple sponge though that has grown substantially.

Do you dose silicates?

 

[tripdad]

Yes