Invasive Sponge?

[jacksammoms-tank]

Hi all, 

 

We have a sponge that was diagnosed as being invasive by BRK. It took over our first Zoas in one day and encrusted them. So sad. Now it seems to be back. It looks like a clear harmless sponge until it hits coral. I see it on 2 of our rocks. I am ready to throw in the towel with this hobby. But Jack is very upset at the thought of breaking down our tank. I am as well. Very sad. But how else to proceed?

 

Our ideas:

1. Take everything off of rocks and move to "new" tank. Including fish. 

2. Remove rock. Scrub, scrub scrub. Soak in fresh water. Leave out in sun. Soak again. 

3. Clean and clean the tanks: Sump and DT. Have sit outside in sun.

 

But what is the best way to "filter" the rescue tank for a month? It will house corals and fish. I will be using our old 29 bowfront for it. 

 

I really have no idea what is the best way to proceed. But we do not want to stop with this endeavor either. Of course, we would love to just upgrade, but that is not an option either.

 

So any help and suggestions? Thanks so much!! Toni, Jack and Sam

[Origami]

When I've seen stuff like this, I've picked it out with long tweezers or a dental pick, while siphoning it out through a filter sock. I've never had it be nearly as aggressive as you're talking about though. I've not had to deal with it in over 5 years, either.

 

(Sent from my phone)

 

 

[Coral Hind]

Can you just remove and scrub the rocks or corals you see it on. I have also used a siphon hose and toothbrush like he mentioned above. I would just keep trying that before I went with a complete tear down or exit from the hobby.

 

A filter is not really needed, just provide water flow and perform water changes when needed. I wouldn't buy a filter or other equipment just for one month, especially if you are thinking you might throw the towel in. 

[Jan]

Can you post a picture of the invasive sponge? Would be good for others to see this. Thanks!

[jacksammoms-tank]

What is the best way to remove all life forms from live rock? Make it dead rock?

[Jan]

Yep! You can put it out to dry and then soak in 1 part bleach and ten parts water. Bleach dissipates so after it dries you can soak/rinse in ro/di and try it again.

What is the best way to remove all life forms from live rock? Make it dead rock?

Edited June 29, 2013 by Jans Natural Reef Foods

[davelin315]

You can also try and "suffocate" it by simply exposing it to air for a period of time.  With some sponges air will get trapped inside of their "body" and cause the sponge to start dying off.  This may not be the case with this one, but it doesn't hurt to try.

[treesprite]

What type of sponge is it, specifically?

 

This is what I know from my experiences with sponges, and I have had/do have multiple types that all came as hitchhikers:

Sponges are part of the natural filtration system, so as long as they are not growing where they are causing distress, they are (IMO) a benefit to the tank and worth letting live. Sponges generally only grow in low light areas in an adequately controlled feeding vs. filtering environment. However, most (if not all) may spread in an invasive manner outside of those areas, if the following conditions exist::
- excessive use of foods that have enough tiny bits to be described as good for filter feeders and corals (like frozen mixes and things in liquid suspensions)
- too little water surface skimming to take the suspended particles out of the display tank
- inadequate use of other methods of particle filtration, either natural or mechanical (filter socks, skimmers, standard aquarium filters cleaned very frequently)

Things that can act as controls:
- keep a c*(# load of fast-growing corals to filter tiny particles before the particles get a chance to reach rock surfaces and low-light areas
- encourage growth of other types of filter feeders, either in the tank or elsewhere in the system (like feather dusters, which may also become a nuisance)
- use an algae scrubber
- have a high in-tank flow rate, including in lower regions, to keep particles suspended away from crevices
- keep a lot of pickers in the CUC (shrimp are excellent because they move to fast and grab from water column as well as off surfaces)
- minimize low-light areas
- have a high volume of water exchange to location(s) of filtration methods

- maximize surface skimming (use a coast-to-coast overflow)

- blow detritus off of rock surfaces regularly
- use less porous rock if you like the look of it

Any time I do re-aquascaping (like last week!), I take the majority (if not all) of the rock from my DT and scrub it all furiously with a toothbrush, which removes sponges that have become too prominent. I throw any intact pieces of sponge in the refugium, and do not scrub refugium rock, because sponge is helpful when controlled.

 

It seems to me from experience, that just leaving the rock to dry will kill sponge so it doesn't grow back. It won't necessarily take off the remains of dead sponge, like the ugly dark gray stuff I let grow in my refugium (which fortunately, for some reason, never grows in my DT), so still has to be scrubbed away.

Edited June 29, 2013 by treesprite