Sponges - good or bad ?

[shaneo]

Hey, I have little white sponges growing in my tank and they are starting to multiply really quick!! are they good or bad ? will they pollute the water if I deal to them? do they filter crap from the water ?

bottom line is I dont like them but if they are good then I'll let them be

Thanks

[Ira]

Yes, they're good. They filter the crap out of the water, which means if you have massive amounts of them you have too much crap in your water.

[suphew]

I only have sponges growing in unlit parts of the tank, like under rocks and in the sump. if yours are growing in the open where you can see them maybe you dont have enough light?

[Ira]

I have an interesting growth of grape purply sponges on a rock in my tank. Wifey hates it, but I like it.

[shaneo]

you have too much crap in your water.

I hope not, the tanks only 6 mths old and I do 20% weekly changes, tests are all good, skimmers doing well and just added phos remover. Two of my big rocks are still cooking.

I only have sponges growing in unlit parts of the tank, like under rocks and in the sump. if yours are growing in the open where you can see them maybe you dont have enough light?

light is not a prob, mine also grow in the shady spots like under the spraybar and under rocks and power heads. They are small and its not a huge population.

I'll monitor numbers and if it continues to grow then I'll freak

[wasp]

If they are little cotton bud looking things with a few hairs sticking out one end, they can be a pain, but they can come, and they can dissapear.

Most sponges though are regarded as interesting and benign residents of our aquariums.

[shaneo]

Thanks guys I'll let them be.