Proper Care for Sponges

[soulsigma]

I have read that sponges should be kept in a low light/shady area of the tank, because bright light will cause algae to grow on it, so I placed mines part ways into a cave, but I have notice on this forum that some of the experts have their sponges out in the open with no shade. Should I leave mines where its at or move out into the open

 

[flower]

A sponge does not care about light. They need to have lots of water flow because that is how they feed.
You can place them anywhere, with or without light. IF however they do get algae on them, it will choke it and kill it. The sand isn't a good place either, sand will clog it up.. Put it up into the rocks.
I put mine in a cave, up in the rocks.

 

[florida joe]

Common belief is that low lighting is best I have my sponge in the upper part of my tank but it is in a medium flow area so as to not have any algae growth

 

[meowzer]

I have a tree sponge under a satellite dual.....it also has medium flow, BUT I still find myself having to pick some fuzz off it once in a while....

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3045835
Common belief is that low lighting is best I have my sponge in the upper part of my tank but it is in a medium flow area so as to not have any algae growth
I put my sea fan up top and thought that the water flow would protect it from algae..it is starting to show a tiny bit of it. I am going to clean it off and put it under a ledge. maybe next to my fan sponge.
I saw a pic of your tank...really beautiful...but I don't think I will put my sponge up top all the same. Seems like some folks can get away with anything.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3045938
I put my sea fan up top and thought that the water flow would protect it from algae..it is starting to show a tiny bit of it. I am going to clean it off and put it under a ledge. maybe next to my fan sponge.
I saw a pic of your tank...really beautiful...but I don't think I will put my sponge up top all the same. Seems like some folks can get away with anything.
YEAH...Doesn't that make you soooo mad

 

[big]

My sponges seem to do the best in lower light and low flow areas. Others may have better luck with higher flow, but this is what I see in my tank. I also think the amount of food stuff in the water makes a difference. I do heavy night feedings, which may have an impact on stuff too.
Almost all of them developed towards the bottom or in shaded areas. Also at least in my tank, I think the slower flow areas, allow them to filter out or catch more food from the flowing water.
I have blue, brown, black, yellow, green, white, orange and red hitchhiker ones. It may have been my initial live rock years ago in my 72 bow had lots of sponge spores.
I do not know much about the issues with Algae builup some have. I have not had to deal with it........