Recommended first Sponge - is there such a thing?

[MasonRob]

So far (after 6+ months) I haven't made too many mistakes or killed too many things.  Have lost a few fish (disappearing gold head gobbies). but after the buying the third (and final) one about 2 weeks ago and not seeing him again after day 1 I won't be buying any more of those.  (Read my other posts today concerning questions about bristle worms and could they be getting my gobbies...)

Looking to get a sponge - something colorful and cool.  Have never had a sponge before so...
Suggestions?  What do I feed them (micro plankton I imagine but...)?  How often, etc.
What should I keep them away from?  Any and all advice welcome.

In my 30 gal tank (and 10 gal sump) I have (not counting snails and hermits) a few red peppermint shrimp, a coral banded shrimp, purple annenome, 2 clown and 2 green chromous fish.  So far.

[The WuSue]

I'm not sure if anyone here is really a sponge expert (no offense to all the sponge experts that I don't know about). But if you get a chance to get to Phishy Business is Gahanna they have a seahorse and sponge tank that is breath taking. The owner of the shop is a sponge collector and brought in a few from his home tanks. It'd be as good a place as any to get info.

[lazylivin]

Here is some pics of it. Haven't seen it in person but it does look great. Phishy Business Seahorse Tank

[coral ranch]

I consider myself a sponge expert,I have watched hundreds of sponge bob episodes. According to dr. Ron Shimek most sponges need bulk laminar flow lower light and bacteria aggregates for food(crabby paties are good too)many sponges do not seem to like surge flow

[Kenn]

I consider myself a sponge expert,I have watched hundreds of sponge bob episodes. According to dr. Ron Shimek most sponges need bulk laminar flow lower light and bacteria aggregates for food(crabby paties are good too)many sponges do not seem to like surge flow

This is the funniest post that I have seen from you

I keep a variety of Blue sponge that breaks the rules. VERY bright light and can handle more flow than average. In my opinion sponges will do better in a LPS \ softy dominate tank just because the water is a little "dirtier" than the pristine water found in SPS tanks   

[coral ranch]

I think the only reason he calls for low light is that many sponges are prone to be over taken by algae.