Sponges

[neko]

Are sponges very difficult to take care of? Or recommended for a beginner?
Have a 75 with 2 perc. clowns,and bicolored blenny.will eventually get a mandarin when I get enough LR.But thats about it.
Also "IF" I decide to get some corals,what would be some hardy ones?Like the bubble,leather,mushrooms,polyps.Nothing to exotic
Any thoughts would be appreciated.Not getting to excited.Setting this tank up mainly for the Mandarin,but would like to have a little color and movement.

 

[twoods71]

Not to sure about the sponges but as for the corals you listed they are a perfect way to start as they are among the easiest to care for with the bubble probably being the most difficult of the 4.

 

[kimmisue]

Sponges can be difficult...I have one in my tank.
Realize you can't let the air touch them. If there are white spots on them that is bad. If your pump shoots air bubbles into the tank. They would kill the sponge.
They are filter feeders. As the water passes through them it feeds on the nutrients. If air is trapped in the sponge it will have no way of feeding and that part dies off.(Turns White)
There are a few sponges that allow for the air to travel through them but they are usually the plain ugly ones found near the shore. They survive through the high and low tides that way.
Hope this helps
Kim

 

[coralbeauty]

Everything that Kim said is true however, I have not found my sponge hard to keep at all. I have a beautiful orange ball sponge. It can not touch air, however, I have no trouble feeding it. I add Dts everyother day to the tank and it have done well for two years. The air thing is only a problem when you first bring it into your tank. I had a little spot which turned "white" from a rock falling on it. The damaged area re-grew, you would never know it was there.
I think the one I have is great since it fills a totally dark place in my reef with bright orange color.
Just my experience!
Connie