Info on this white stalky sponge taking over

Hi. Im new here. I was hoping somebody can help me please. I have a 56 gallon tall tank. There is this white stalky sponge looking stuff growing wildly and taking over my tank! What is it? How did it get here? And most important how do i rid of it asap? Please any and all help is greatly appreciated. Tank is very healthy and has been established for over a year. But i am still a beginner.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

Harmless sponge, it will probably die back as the tank ages.
It's kind of cool and I personally would leave it.

 

thanks for the reassurance. will it choke up and kill my corals?

 

+1

If you used true live sand and/or rock, you'll see a variety of hitch hikers, including a few species of sponge. As Corailline pointed out, it's usually fairly short-lived once your tank fully matures; until then, it's completely harmless, and actually beneficial.

 

Nope. Sponge typically won't grow over live corals.

 

great. thank you guys.