It's been a while since I've posted due to a busy personal schedule but now I've got questions and would like some expert advice. I moved back to Hawaii in August and didn't have a tank here until I inherited a couple of small ones from a guy at work two weeks ago. I finally put the 20 gallon one up and put in rock, sand and water. I've got a collection permit from the state so can grab stuff out of the ocean legally. It isn't like the state tries to track down people who grab a couple of hermit crabs here an there but hey, the permit is free. Anyway, while collection a dozen or so left-handed hermits to cycle with, I came across bunch of sponge.
It was hard to resist taking it but held off until I could identify it first, then went back for it. I haven't been able to find much beyond basic information. The sponge is Hawaiian Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx hawaiiana). Its plentiful and free. That makes it appealing to be sure. I picked up two pieces, one about the size of a baseball, the other a softball. I put it in the tank and out came what at first appeared to be about 15 or so small sponge stars. the next morning it was more like 150 sponge stars, a teddy bear crab, a ghost crab and tow other unidentified crabs. Needless to say, two days later most of those things are dead. The exceptions are the teddy bear crab and the two chunks of sponge.
Any ideas if the sponge will make it? It still appears to be in good shape and has plenty of stuff to filter out. However, since the tank is still cycling, water parameters are embarrasing. The state provides all of the charcoal filtered seawater anyone could ever want free of charge so water changes are not an issue. Should I leave the water and let the cycle run or change half or more of the total volume every day?
Mark, I've found enough macros to make you wet yourself. I'll bring some with whenever I come back to Utah.
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