arixonbarnes Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 I bought a large piece of natural sponge (at Canadian Tire in the paint section) with the intent of putting it in one of my freshwater tanks to let the java moss attach to it. The odor is rather strong (it was in asealed plastic package and is from the Bahamas). Is this odor normal for a newly harvested sponge that is not dry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Hard to be sure if the odour is nartural or not without sniffing it myself....I would be cautious, as most sponges are impregnated or treated to resist mild, and 100% of those treatments use chemicals that are fatal to fish....you may want to try it with some feeder guppies or ghost shrimp first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arixonbarnes Posted September 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 I took the bull by the horns and emailed the Company. This is what I got back Thanks for the interesting inquiry. There is a natural substance added to the sponges to keep them from drying out but it is not very much and it is not deemed to be harmful for human consumption or exposure. Having said that, it was recommended to me that you should still wash and dry the sponge 4 or 5 times just to be safe as fish may be a little more sensitive to the substance. Then I received another followup email A further point. If you would like, we can arrange to get you a few sponges that are sans the additive for your aquarium at no charge of course. Just send me a mailing address and I will arrange it So it looks like my experiment will be able to continue without hazard to my fishes (for a change!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neatfreak Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 good for you[and us] :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Except for the fact that it took the ocean close to a hundred of years to grow that clump of natural sponge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arixonbarnes Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 I never thought of that! Is it possible that they captive grow sponges like they do oysters and salmon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Actually, they usually only live 20 years at the most.... I never thought of that! Is it possible that they captive grow sponges like they do oysters and salmon? Hell, why not just farm them in your saltwater tank if you have one? http://www.masla.com/invert/desponge.html Just need to find a supplier..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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