Help - Yellow stuff on rocks - spreading. Spong?

[saf1]

Good evening. Well, after a couple months of letting what I thought was a spong grow, is now spreading, and is on my frogspawn. In fact, it is starting to touch the edge of my leather.

I thought it was a spong at first. Smooth and slimmy to touch. Nothing eats it. Seems to start under the rock and move up. Not afraid of lights...

Tank has been up for 3 years now. 2 175W MH lights and 2 110W Super Acitincs. Anyway - live rock, live sand, Lifereef skimmer. 20 gallon sump - tank is 100 gallons. Center mounted 3/4 sea swirl powered by a mag1800.

No deaths - but I must say I fear for the frogspawn. I moved it this morning and took two pictures.

If anyway has any idea what it could be - please advise. I'm really tempted to remove the rock, soak in normal tap water, and kill the rock completly.

Fish are 2 green chromis, mated pair per clowns, rabbit fish, 2 bartlett anthsis, and a kole tang. Couple cleaners and peppermint shrimp, assorted snails. No deaths in over 2 years.

Warning...the following images are large. Sorry, I was not able to thunbnail for some reason. I apologize.

Warm regards.

Rock
Frogspawn

Again, thank you.

 

[liquid]

It sure looks like some sort of sponge to me. Is it causing any irritation to your frogspawn (or any other corals)?

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

I think it looks like just a poor innocent sponge that is thriving in your tank.

I'm really tempted to remove the rock, soak in normal tap water, and kill the rock completly.

Don't know why you are thinking of such drastic measures?? A dead sponge decaying because it was killed would be bad for your tank, unless you plan on re curing the rock after you kill the sponge.

Most people would be pleased to see good sponge growth.

 

[saf1]

Liquid, Mulberry,

Thanks for the reply. Well - to be honest, if it is a good thing, I'll gladly keep it. However, I was not sure. In fact, it is growing on the stalks of my frogspawn. So to some degree, yes. It is bugging a coral.

Is there a way to contain it or control where it grows?

 

[Anonymous]

If it is growing up the stalk of the frogspawn, then I would make an effort to stop that. I have sponges growing very close even touching some corals and there has never been a problem, but I always like to keep the skeletons of LPS's clear.

I bet if you went in with your fingernail, you could scrape off the part growing up the skeleton of the coral.

Sponge growth is a sign of a healthy tank!

 

[Anonymous]

Go with the finger nail, as mulberry suggested. Fragspawn usually grow so fast that the encrusting sponge can't overtake it. BTW, is that some cyanobacteria on the sponge?

 

[saf1]

Go with the finger nail, as mulberry suggested. Fragspawn usually grow so fast that the encrusting sponge can't overtake it. BTW, is that some cyanobacteria on the sponge?

Yes - it looked like cyano to me as well. I've adjusted the Sea Swirl to see if I can get some more water movement in that area. Maybe I can take a turkey baster and remove it when I get home. I'll try.

Regarding the growth rate - when I bought the 'spawn I was not aware it grew so fast. I'm pleased with it so far. Outside my current issue with the sponge.

As far as a summary goes. I guess I will not be concerned as much since sponges means you are doing something right. So that is good. Other than that I'll see if I can remove some with my finger nail - if I need to.

Again, thank you all. I really do appreciate it. Have a good day.

 

[saf1]

Go with the finger nail, as mulberry suggested. Fragspawn usually grow so fast that the encrusting sponge can't overtake it. BTW, is that some cyanobacteria on the sponge?

Yes - it looked like cyano to me as well. I've adjusted the Sea Swirl to see if I can get some more water movement in that area. Maybe I can take a turkey baster and remove it when I get home. I'll try.

Regarding the growth rate - when I bought the 'spawn I was not aware it grew so fast. I'm pleased with it so far. Outside my current issue with the sponge.

As far as a summary goes. I guess I will not be concerned as much since sponges means you are doing something right. So that is good. Other than that I'll see if I can remove some with my finger nail - if I need to.

Again, thank you all. I really do appreciate it. Have a good day.