Strange white stuff taking over my tank

Question
I have a strange white substance that is taking over my tank. It is really hard to describe, and after having a tropical freshwater tank for about 6 or 7 years, it is the first time I have come across such a thing. The only way I can really describe it is it looks like roots.
They grow at a really quick rate. They are usually gone by the morning as the fish or shrimp that I have eat them. But I have a breeding tank in the main tank, and that has been taken over by this substance. I really don't know what to do as it covers plants, the glass, rocks gravel and anything else that doesn't move.
I have guppies, tetras, minnows and 3 shrimp. The tank is planted with live plants, and all the fish are quite small. The tank can hold around 40 liters. Can you help?

Answer
Hi Liam;

If it looks like cotton or white threads it may be a fungus taking over uneaten food or waste. But, fish and shrimp don't usually eat that stuff as it can be toxic to them and it doesn't usually grow on the glass.  Other than that, I really don't know. Slime-molds grow pretty fast but they are usually more "blob-looking". Could you get a picture of it? If so, send it to;

AllExperts_Fish_Guru(a)yahoo.com

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins