I haven't seen any kind of mold or anything else unusual on them.Dry sea sponge
Dry sea sponge
I bought some dry sea sponges from the HCP and broke them into a few smaller pieces and placed them throughout the tat on the sub. They have been in there for about 3 weeks. Do they ever grow old that I would need to replace them? Looks like they have plenty of sub and sand rubbed all around them so obviously the hermies have been either playing with them or munching on them I haven't seen any kind of mold or anything else unusual on them.
I haven't seen any kind of mold or anything else unusual on them.-
IBlab crab
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- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:14 pm
- Location: Raleigh,NC
Re: Dry sea sponge
It would be best to keep the sponge off of the damp substrate.I keep mine in a deep caddy(2nd.level) on the uth side.I will mist them sometimes.I had one crab that would shred them into a fluff and nest in it.I also keep one in the shell shop and a dry one in with the bark and leaves caddy that they nest in.Putting them on the substrate they will get yuky.I have all shapes and sizes that I switch out.Good to see the sponge being used in the tank,just keep it out of the water dishes. I wanted to mention I have never had a sponge mold or smell bad,always a fresh beach smell.
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IBlab crab
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:14 pm
- Location: Raleigh,NC
Re: Dry sea sponge
It really is not a problem having the sponge on the substrate,the sponge stays cleaner than leaf litter on the substrate.I found many finger sponges on the beach and used them for climbing and they sat on the substrate.
I hope people will stop giving advise that all sponges are bad,this usually occurs when someone fills out the emergency form and is asked about sponge in the water because pet shops sell it that way.
I hope people will stop giving advise that all sponges are bad,this usually occurs when someone fills out the emergency form and is asked about sponge in the water because pet shops sell it that way.
Re: Dry sea sponge
IBlab crab wrote: I hope people will stop giving advise that all sponges are bad,this usually occurs when someone fills out the emergency form and is asked about sponge in the water because pet shops sell it that way.
They're not recommended at all in the water dishes and I think some crabbers translate that to sponge = bad. I have a really large natural sponge that I place in the crabitat from time to time. They love climbing and munching on it. As long as they're kept out of the water dish and kept clean, natural sponges can be a great addition to the crabitat.
Re: Dry sea sponge
Good to know! Thanks! I can't tell when they have munched on them but it seems they are certainly doing something with them because every day they are in different locations! 
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DragonsFly
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- Location: Florida
Re: Dry sea sponge
I keep one in one of the shell shops as a snack. I think there's a smaller piece on (now in) the substrate somewhere, too, having been dropped out of the shell shop at one point. I keep them in the shell shop just for my own preference (because they do get "yucky" from the substrate), but I don't think it matters much. If you are having a problem with mold in the tank, you might want to keep the sponge off the moist substrate--but more importantly, a small fan in the tank will help deter mold any/everywhere.
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Resident PP's:"Major Tom" & "Billie Jean"
“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”
― G.K. Chesterton
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aussieJJDude
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Re: Dry sea sponge
And an addition to Calla if anyone comes across this topic, you're looking for natural sea sponges are fine. Not those fake colourful ball things that they commonly sell for hermies. Those should remain at the store!
Like Calla said, "natural sponges can be a great addition to the crabitat".
Like Calla said, "natural sponges can be a great addition to the crabitat".
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Re: Dry sea sponge
Yes, mine are natural dry sea sponges from the HCPaussieJJDude wrote:And an addition to Calla if anyone comes across this topic, you're looking for natural sea sponges are fine. Not those fake colourful ball things that they commonly sell for hermies. Those should remain at the store!
Like Calla said, "natural sponges can be a great addition to the crabitat".
I haven't had any mold issues with them, even while being rolled by happy hermies along the substrate. Just wanted to find out basically if there is an expiration on them. The hermies really seem to enjoy them! Thanks for all of the advice!! 
Re: Dry sea sponge
I would just replace them as they fell apart or if they started to smell funky even after cleaning them. To clean: you can rinse them well in dechlor water, allow to air dry completely, then microwave for one minute. Or you could boil them.
Sorry that I completely missed your question the first time.
Sorry that I completely missed your question the first time.
Re: Dry sea sponge
No probCallaLily wrote:I would just replace them as they fell apart or if they started to smell funky even after cleaning them. To clean: you can rinse them well in dechlor water, allow to air dry completely, then microwave for one minute. Or you could boil them.
Sorry that I completely missed your question the first time.
Thanks for the help!