Dear Dr. Faeber and co-authors,

I have checked two reviewers comments and your response according to their comments. I think that responses are all reasonable. I suggest that you should prepare revised version of manuscript reflecting all the reviewer's comments.

I have two small questions.

1) You used micritic limestones and marbles. Does all the experimental blocks originate from Rhodes Island?

2) You found ecological succession of microboring by sponges. These sponge groups all live in Rhodes Island? If not, how many percentages of local sponges are repopulated on experimental blocks.

these information may be worth to discuss about ecological succession of boring sponges. I am happy if you can add these information on your final manuscript.

Best wishes,

Hiroshi Kitazato

Dear Dr. Färber and co-authors,

Thank you for correcting your manuscript according to reviewers comments. I think that your revised manuscript is enough matured to publish on BG.

Congratulations,

HIroshi Kitazato