Red tree sponge dying?

[rchan11]

I bought a red tree sponge 2 weeks ago and it's some of its red color is turning clear.

Params

SG 1.023
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0
Alk 2.3
Ph 8.2

It's under high flow and 2.5 watts per gallon PC lighting. I dose with phytoplankton daily and never exposed to air.

What is wrong with it?

[iCam]

First off,I would try to slowly raise your SG to at least 1.025.

As far as the sponge, they just don't do well in most home aquariums, aside from some hitchiker sponges. What type of flow do you have?

The clear areas are parts that have died off.

[rchan11]

I only have a HOB in my 5g nano which is providing more then enough current. HOB is rated for up to 20g tank and flow is adjustible.

I just checked my SG and is actually at 1.030 due to evaporation. It's back to 1.025 now. Temp was a little high at 82F and brought it down to 74F overnight.

[romunov]

Some reading on sponges:
Sponges (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/invert.htm)
How to ID a sponge and why should you just call it what it is - a sponge (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rs/index.htm)
Sponges: A Bunch of Holes Held Together by Some Cells (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rs/index.htm)
Sponges - pump-filter modules through space and time (http://web.archive.org/web/20020806012027/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/jan/wb/default.asp)
Some Truths about Sponges (http://web.archive.org/web/20020806011533/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/feb/wb/default.asp)

I would steer clear of any sponge that hasn't grown in a tank.

[reef_researcher]

I have a red tree sponge which I find gathers sediment easily which quickly results in decline. I use a turkey baster to blow it off daily or more often when needed.

[reef_researcher]

I have a red tree sponge which I find gathers sediment easily which quickly results in decline. I use a turkey baster to blow it off daily or more often when needed.

[rchan11]

The sponge is directly under the HOB filter and bubbles are coming down on it. Could this be the cause like exposing to air?