Long time listener, first time caller... Help needed.

[Vspurg]

Hello - I have had my 1500 Cade setup since December and to be honest, I am struggling. I have had some livestock die for no reason, but for the most part, all of my fish are thriving. My corals are touch and go - some of the harder ones to keep are growing strong and some of the easier ones have not worked. Overall, I think I am in a good place.
Until... I thought I had a piece of floss break off and it was sitting in my refugium. It looked like a water-logged cotton ball. I pulled it out and it looks to have a mouth?? After searching here, I am hoping it is a tunicate, but then after a longer and closer look, I have these little guys popping up all over. They seem to like all the nooks & holes in the rocks.
Am I in trouble?

On another note, the green splotches all over - is that coralline starting? It is not easy to scratch or rub off and I believe it is because some are turning purple. TIA ;Happy

 

[vetteguy53081]

2nd pic poriferan sponge and others are pineapple sponge- all safe poriferan may be upsetting coral if too close to them. If coral on sandbed, sand may be upsetting them.
Moderate light and water flow for coral
Nitrate < .5
Mag 1300
Ca- 440
Alk 8-10
Temperature 77-79
Salinity 1.025

WHAT TEST KITS ARE YOU USING?
What is your method of filtration?
Lastly, if you are using api test kits, you may be getting false readings which they are notorious for.

 

[Vspurg]

2nd pic poriferan sponge and others are pineapple sponge- all safe poriferan may be upsetting coral if too close to them. If coral on sandbed, sand may be upsetting them.
Moderate light and water flow for coral
Nitrate < .5
Mag 1300
Ca- 440
Alk 8-10
Temperature 77-79
Salinity 1.025

WHAT TEST KITS ARE YOU USING?
What is your method of filtration?
Lastly, if you are using api test kits, you may be getting false readings which they are notorious for.

All of my parameters are good. My salinity is 1.026, everything else matches yours. I started with API and switched to Hanna checkers for almost everything. If these are good and won't wreck what I have so far, that is great news! Thank you very much @vetteguy53081!

 

[Aldrinlights]

Yup sponges. Great for the tank. You'll find lots of things long the way and most are beneficial. Algae is pretty obvious and not the best for a tank unless its controlled in the sump.

 

[Gtinnel]

My tank used to have tons of pineapple sponges under every overhang and all over the sump. It's one of those things that happens on new tanks and will go away on its own eventually.