April Keys Trip... One More Thing

diverreb · 28th April 2008, 23:00

Friday April 18th on the morning dive we got to see something I've never witnessed in person.

We were diving Conch Wall and as I hit bottom it looked like a few yards away from me someone had stirred up the bottom, but there weren't any other divers around.

As I got closer I realized that it was the barrel sponge clouding the water. It was spewing a cloudy stream, like a volcano. I didn't think much of it. As I started my dive I noticed most of the other barrel sponges were doing the same thing. Then I came across one that was dumping a white chalky substance into the water. The smoking sponges far outnumbered the the one's dumping the white chalky stuff. I only saw two or three of those, while there were thirty or more of the others.

Very cool.... The sponges were spawning. I don't know if it was just in that area or if it happens all over at the same time. It was a full moon, or a day away from a full moon.

I assume this is a once a year event....

Of course I didn't have my camera with me!!!!

Steve got really excited.... I mean really excited, so if you go down there next year and see some sponges that look a little like Steve, well OK, let's not go there!

Richie

**sfldiver** · 29th April 2008, 01:25

Many years ago I witnessed a similar event while diving aboard a livaboard in the Turks & Caicos. However, the event I saw, was on a much larger scale, as I remember the water being very very cloudy, everywhere - At the time it felt pretty disgusting, because I felt as though I was diving in the midst of a bukake porn set!

Mike Costanzo · 30th April 2008, 20:31

I was wondering what that sh_t was.

Terry · 2nd May 2008, 16:29

SFLdiver -

you funny joe

28th April 2008, 23:00	#1 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 512	April Keys Trip... One More Thing Friday April 18th on the morning dive we got to see something I've never witnessed in person. We were diving Conch Wall and as I hit bottom it looked like a few yards away from me someone had stirred up the bottom, but there weren't any other divers around. As I got closer I realized that it was the barrel sponge clouding the water. It was spewing a cloudy stream, like a volcano. I didn't think much of it. As I started my dive I noticed most of the other barrel sponges were doing the same thing. Then I came across one that was dumping a white chalky substance into the water. The smoking sponges far outnumbered the the one's dumping the white chalky stuff. I only saw two or three of those, while there were thirty or more of the others. Very cool.... The sponges were spawning. I don't know if it was just in that area or if it happens all over at the same time. It was a full moon, or a day away from a full moon. I assume this is a once a year event.... Of course I didn't have my camera with me!!!! Steve got really excited.... I mean really excited, so if you go down there next year and see some sponges that look a little like Steve, well OK, let's not go there! Richie
(Online)

29th April 2008, 01:25	#2 (permalink)
sfldiver Team Optima Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 663	Re: April Keys Trip... One More Thing Many years ago I witnessed a similar event while diving aboard a livaboard in the Turks & Caicos. However, the event I saw, was on a much larger scale, as I remember the water being very very cloudy, everywhere - At the time it felt pretty disgusting, because I felt as though I was diving in the midst of a bukake porn set! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
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30th April 2008, 20:31	#3 (permalink)
Mike Costanzo Never E nuff Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Berlin,Md/Port Salerno,Fl - USA Posts: 117	Re: April Keys Trip... One More Thing I was wondering what that sh_t was.
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2nd May 2008, 16:29	#4 (permalink)
Terry New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 89	Re: April Keys Trip... One More Thing SFLdiver - you funny joe
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