what are they

[rarecoral21]

i have lots of little white cocoon in my sump what are they they look like the have little feathers coming out of them.some are very small and some are as big as a penny.theres thousands

 

[daugherty]

they are prob q-tip sponges which are safe to have

 

[rarecoral21]

i thought sponges tell i saw the feathers coming out of them

 

[daugherty]

yep q-tip sponges have a feather like thing on them

 

[Hiker4twenty]

If this is what you're talking about then they're q-tip sponges.

 

[dcantucson]

Sounds like q-tip sponges to me too, but you could always post a picture if they don't match the picture Hiker4twenty posted.

 

[Melosu58]

I`m thinking he might be talking about small feather dusters. Hard to say without a pic.

 

[dcantucson]

Pictures please!

 

[winyfrog]

yep they are either sponges or feather dusters. :)

 

[rarecoral21]

thanks for the picture that is what it is,next question why would i have so many in my sump

Thanks guys

 

[Hiker4twenty]

I'm sure they congregate in your sump because that's where the majority of the waste nutrients go. They are very good filter feeders and will thrive where the conditions are right. I've read many posts and the sump is where the majority experience them.

 

[rarecoral21]

thanks alot guys

 

[R Cubed]

Well is your sump lit up. In my tank they have alwayse been in greater numbers on the underside of live rock or other places that do not get direct light. That is not to say you will not have any in direct light. Just what I've observed. It likely has to do with flow of water, food, and particle size. They are by no means bad and an indicator of ok water quality (however don't assume evrything is fine just because they are there) Hope this helps.
Ryan