What is the red filmy stuff in my fish tank?

Question

My fish tank overnight got all this red filmy stuff covering rocks and its also on the fake plants and stuff... anyone have any idea what it is and how can i get rid of it?

Answer 1

This is probably a red cyanobacteria. Is your tank freshwater or saltwater? This is more commonly seen in saltwater (as red: http://www.sloreef.com/bojan/Cyanobacteria_files/Cyanobacteria1.jpg ), and freshwater is usually blue-green (http://www.aquamax.de/Shop/Artikelbilder/Zusatzbilder/Algen%20im%20Aquarium_Blaualgen%20-%20Cyanobacteria_STUG_cyano1.jpg ), but there are exceptions.

If this is what you have, there are chemicals you could use to treat this, but be aware most of these are antibiotics which will also affect the "good" bacteria in your tank - the ones that remove the ammonia and nitrite, which are toxic to your fish. This would leave the fish at risk for ammonia and nitrite poisoning. There are other methods (lighting, nutrients) that can (and should) be used first. See the links below for information about how to control cyanobacteria:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/microalgae/a/aa092800.htm
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/cyano.shtml

Answer 2

Its probaby red algae. There are a ton of medications for this, no you really dont want to keep it but I know that some websites will have the medications. I think www.DrsFostersmith.com has one. Just try checking it out and others. :] http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4121&Ntt=red%20algae&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=2004&Nty=1 <-- that stuff (although its for marine aquariums i think)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4120&Ntt=red%20algae&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16822&Ntt=red%20algae&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

I found those

Answer 3

Prob. red algae. Or some other thing. You could ask your veterinarian

Answer 4

dude it's called red allege