[jangle]

Sometime back I posted on MDEPOT Forum,about having what someone pointed out, pineapple sponge or a scypha sponge at that time I had several in the sump that were anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 long.
Over the last 4 months I have been fighting a NITRATE and PHOSPHATE problem, I have both under control, at near zero, using a combination of water changes, frequent changes to my skimmer air stones, frequent changes to my filter pads, a Phosphate Reactor, and 8 oz bottle of AZ-NO3
They large ones in the sump have disappeared completely I now have thousands of very small ones on my live rock in the tank.
Everyone says thats a good thing, that my tank water conditions must be in good shape
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED about the rapid explosion of the critters. Fish Only Tank

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

If your system is a FOWLR system, then nitrates is not a concern. So I wonder what marine life you have that is sensitive to nitrates.

Similarly the marine fishes' health are generally not influenced by phosphates, though the control of phosphates ultimately leads to the control of many macro algae, and other marine growths.

The presence of sponges is not uncommon from some live rocks. They are filter feeders indicating that the conditions are right for them. Such conditions may include organics in the waters at higher levels then desired. To stress these sponges even more, the use of an improved skimmer is advised, along with the regular use of either carbon or another organic absorbent material.

On the other hand, they pose no concern for the FOWLR system. Their appearance may not be appreciated. Many Angelfish and some Butterflyfishes will pick at them and control their population.

[jangle]

Thanks,

I like to keep my water conditions somewhat inline and my nitrates and posphates went off the scale for a while. I thought that knocking them down was what might have triggered the rapid spread of the critters.

The other thing that was odd I have not added anything to the tank for a year or more when I first noticed them.

They are small so they don't distract from the tank except for a while they had overrun my overflows

I've been wanting to experiment on a new skimmer maybe this will be a way to see if it is going to work.