Tree Sponge Questions

[richl]

I have a 125 FOWLR set-up. Right now just 2 fish , 4 shrimp, 4 emerald crabs , 3 featherdusters and some snails. I just ordered 2 Red Tree Sponges from SWF. They are filter feeders but I read they need a lot of nutrition to keep their color. I have a bottle of Kent Zoa that says to add 5 ML per 100 gal twice a week for invertebrates. Will this do it for the sponges? Are there issues when you add Zoa directly with water like Nitrates going up? Are there other foods I should try? Also, I read that some sponges can give off noxious toxins if they are dieing and that this can kill off your tank. Is this true of tree sponges and, if so, what are the signs that something is wrong? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by RichL
http:///forum/post/3037282
I have a 125 FOWLR set-up. Right now just 2 fish , 4 shrimp, 4 emerald crabs , 3 featherdusters and some snails. I just ordered 2 Red Tree Sponges from SWF. They are filter feeders but I read they need a lot of nutrition to keep their color. I have a bottle of Kent Zoa that says to add 5 ML per 100 gal twice a week for invertebrates. Will this do it for the sponges? Are there issues when you add Zoa directly with water like Nitrates going up? Are there other foods I should try? Also, I read that some sponges can give off noxious toxins if they are dieing and that this can kill off your tank. Is this true of tree sponges and, if so, what are the signs that something is wrong? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

Take a deep breath...
First feeding the tank the Zoa food is fine. Alternate with Kents micro-vert.
Put your sponge in a dark area (out of the light) like completely under a ledge or in a cave. Make sure that water can flow over and around it. You should be fine.
Sponges are one of the easiest critters to keep. I like them because they are so colorful.
Toxins

only when they die...I THINK, I am no expert but I never had a problem with a sponge.