ORANGE SPONGE

Question
MY ORANGE SPONGE, SHAPED LIKE A FAN WITH A TRUNK BASE, WAS SO ORANGE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. NOW THE TIPS OF THE EDGES ARE TAN ALL OVER. I HAVE IT IN THE LOWEST LIGHT LEVEL OF MY 30 GAL TANK. I BLOW DETRITUS OFF FREQUENTLY SO IT CAN FILTER BETTER. IS THERE SOME TYPE OF ADDITIVE THAT WOULD HELP IT ORANGE UP, OR IS THIS NORMAL? COULD IT BE GROWING? NITRATES UP SOMEWHAT BECAUSE HUSBAND KEEPS OVERFEEDING WITH FLAKE FOOD. HAVE DONE WATER CHANGES, AND ALL OTHER PARAMETERS ARE OK.

Answer
Hello Starlinne,

(please understand that ALL CAPS is like yelling in internet speak)

Sponges are a great 'indicator'.  (like the canary in the coal mine.  If it dies then things aren't good)

Sponges grow when all things are going well, and if yours is not growing and is dieing, then things arent good.

IT could be as simple as your tank is not mature enough to support the sponge, or it could be a lot of other things.

I would guess that unless your tank is older then a year, then the sponge probably wont survive, or if it does, it will shrink and whither till it can support itself.


As for hubby and his feeding habits!!!!  Tell him to stop, or make him clean the tank more often and do more water changes...

hehehehe



Hope this helps,


Mr. Bill