I.D. Please!! They are taking over

[AzCondor]

Hi,
I have noticed a steady increase in these little white to brown colored little cone tube looking things all over my tank and they have now migrated into my protein skimmer and seem to be releasing long strands of algae material. Sorry I am not very good at describing things so I hope these pictures can help. I am about to do a 25% water change and scrape them off but how to get them out of my skimmer i still don't know.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/slip1on69/IMG00095-20100208-2254.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/slip1on69/IMG00094-20100208-2254.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/slip1on69/IMG00093-20100208-2254.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/slip1on69/IMG00092-20100208-2254.jpg
Thanks,
Connor

[jfunk18]

the look to be a type of sponge

[bertoni]

The first picture looks like cyanobacteria or dinoflagellates, which indicates a nutrient problem, most likely.

[AzCondor]

The usual frequent water changes, physical removal, and possible chemical treatment with chemi-pure or kalkwasser to up ph to 8.5?

[bertoni]

Oops, I meant the second picture.

The other pictures might show sponges, I agree.

[tahoe61]

Pineapple sponges and diatoms/cynobacteria. As long as there is something to eat in your tank you are going to have sponges, and feather dusters. They do no harm and filter the water to a small degree. The pineapple sponges will level off as the tank ages.