White fuzzy stalks - what is it?

[Tman007]

My 4-month-old tank has been thru various phases of the uglies that have been relatively mild, but I see a new growth that I'm having a hard time identifying. As shown in the photo, these white fuzzy stalks are attached to rocks (or the back wall) -- the one pictured is about 3 mm tall, others are smaller. I searched the forums for "white fuzz" but all of the cases I found look different, more like a cottony covering not individual stalks.

Any clues on what this is, and if I should take action?
#reefsquad - Any advise or pointers would be appreciated.

(My parameters, in case it helps:)
SG 1.025
Nitrates 5
pH 8.1
dkH 8.1
Ca 395
Mg 1275
Phosphates 0
No corals yet, just a pair of clownfish

 

[Goaway]

Pineapple sponge. Will go away once tank matures.

Also, may thrive in dead zones. Depending on nutrients available.

 

[Fudsey]

^^^^^ THIS :)

 

[Tman007]

Pineapple sponge. Will go away once tank matures.

Also, may thrive in dead zones. Depending on nutrients available.

Thanks for helping me ID this! It sounds like they provide filtration, so good to know that I don't have to worry about them!

Being a noob, I'm curious how these types of things originate (and amphipods etc also) when the only things I've inserted into my new tank are Caribsea dry base rock, Caribsea Arag-Alive sand, RODI-based saltwater and two quarantined clownfish -- does all of this come from the live sand?

 

[Goaway]

Alive sand can have a lot of benefits. But you never know what's there.

 

[Tman007]

Alive sand can have a lot of benefits. But you never know what's there.

We'll see what else pops up in the upcoming months... so far nothing bad. :cool:

 

[Sharkbait19]

We'll see what else pops up in the upcoming months... so far nothing bad. :cool:

Expect stuff like feather dusters and pods. Most other stuff will come with corals or live rock.

 

[Tman007]

Expect stuff like feather dusters and pods. Most other stuff will come with corals or live rock.

The pods were the first thing I saw, and they are increasing in number, which I'm considering a good sign. If a feather duster appears, that would be cool.