Sick Sponge??

[kingspade]

can anyone tell me what this film around my uncles sponge is? and why the bottom is shrinking and losing color

 

[beth]

King, I moved your topic to the reef forum where you should get some help.

 

[benter]

does he feed the sponge, and it requires low light and a lot of flow, if I am not mistaken..they are heavy filter feeders..It looks like the light may be too bright for it IMO...

 

[kingspade]

we actually just moved it yesterday thinking it needed more light he wa all the wa at t the bottom before that, so i dont think it is the light thats doing it. are you supposed to directly feed these things?

 

[benter]

Quick Stats
Care Level: Difficult
Light: Low
Water Flow: Strong
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Color Form: Orange, Red
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Axinellidae
This is where I saw the requirements for this sponge.. I have one in my reef and it does the same thing as yours where the light touches it. I have it stuck in a hole with a closed loop nozzle blasting it!! been doing well for awhile now..I just make sure when I dose the phyto it gets blasted over them for awhile..

 

[mudplayerx]

Did you lift it out of the water and expose it to the air? I had an orange sponge once and it deteriorated just like yours is doing. All of the ones at pet stores I have seen do the same. I don't know if my area gets poor-quality sponges, sponges that were mishandled, or what.... but I won't buy sponges anymore.
Good luck with yours. Make sure its out of the light, getting heavy flow, and heavy doses of pyto.