Are Tree Sponges really hard to take care of?

[GrantMeThePower]

Live Aquaria says they are, but state that its mainly making sure they are never exposed to air, but my LFS says that they are not hard to take care of.

Which is true?

Thanks!
Grant

[greenbean36191]

Your LFS is trying to sell you one. They're almost impossible to keep because of the type of flow we have in our tanks. These sponges grow under one type of flow regime and then we move them into a completely different flow pattern in reef tanks that makes it extremely difficult for them to breathe, feed, and eliminate waste. There's also the air exposure issue and the important thing to remember there is that although you may not expose it to air, it's already gone through at least 4 transfers before they even bag it up at the store. If it's exposed at any of those transfers, it could be in trouble.