Thoughts on adding sponges to tank

I am considering adding one to three sponges to my 90gal. I think it would be a great look and take up some space while adding color to the tank. not sure how hard they will be to keep or if I need to add anything special to keep them. I am working on getting 2 more powerheads, as I know more water flow would be better. Any thoughts or suggestions on where to get nice sized ones at good price?

Sounds cool, but I am useless for any helpful information. D3monic got a neat little sponge from somewhere, maybe he'll chime in.

I like sponges but you have to be concerned on how they were collected and handled. If they were ever exposed to air at any time the air can get trapped inside them and block water from flowing through and part or all of them can die off.

They also need lots of particulate matter to thrive and some of them are partially photosynthetic.

As for where to get some i dont know but D just picked some up a few weeks ago

Yeah, I hear the handling can be the biggest issue. I am still thinking about adding maybe one. I am working on trying to add the bubble first I think

I would try a small one first

so jim, have you found a small sponge yet or are you giving up on that?

I will get one, one of these days. i'm putting it on hold right now because I don't know that I'm ready for it yet. Maybe once I add the bubble and hammer.

I would be very weary of buying sponges. Your liverock will more than likely grow sponges on it's own, over a small period of time. As for bought sponges, they are colourfull, and aren't usually suited to our systems. They require lots of flow and food, but not to much light, as algae can start growing on them, and then it's all down hill from there. And as Chris has said, if they are exposed to air, they are dead. They may look healthy, but that'll change. Tunicates will grow too, if given enough time.

I would concentrate on nice fish and corals, especially considering there is a wealth of information out there on how best to keep these things healthy and alive.

Yeah, I agree. That's why I'm holding off for now. I might try something later and even that's a maybe.

I have never had any luck keeping them long term, I don't suggest it. plenty of them growing under my rock though!

Yeah, at least for now I have put the sponge on hold

good deal. I have some that came with the rock. It only grows when it's on the underside of the rock. If I turn it back up towards the light it starts to go away.

Yeah, leave it in the shade.