everlasting algea bloom

Question
Karen,
I have been reading soooo much about the reasons and treatment of algae bloom. I can't find a solution for mine. I have a small 10 gal with 2 algae eaters, 3 Cories, 5 "home made" guppies and 2 platy babies. A Eheim canister filter, Bio (made for 50gal tank) is pumping a lot of oxygen into my tank. I do not over feed (the last three weeks I have been cutting back so much my fish are loosing their bellies)The tank is not facing the window. It is built into a book shelf.There are plastic plants. (a first for me)gravel and 25 years of fish tank owner ship. Some say change the water others say turn light off, etc.... well, my tank is worst in the morning after being in the dark all night, it gets really bad after a third water change, I do not clean the filter at the same time as changing water. I am at the end of what else I can try. It has been at least 4 weeks of fighting the pure green water. Long story, sorry. My question. There are so many anti algae product on the market. Which do you think will be safe to my algae eaters and Cories,...I hate to go chemical, but if I don't I will pull my hair out! Please help!!! Thank you!
Barbara

Answer
Hi Barbara,
I understand your frustration!

I've dealt with green water many times before and very stubborn cases at that where chemicals have been tried and tried but they just don't help honestly.

The best thing to do is to control the two key reasons why algae blooms occur. An overabundance of nutrients (especially nitrates), and excessive light.

I've had the best luck in treating pea-soup green algae blooms with -daily- 50% or larger water changes. You don't need to take anything apart of scrub anything a lot. Just vacuum the gravel and drain the water down with your aquarium siphon. It may take a while, but eventually you'll deplete the nutrient level to a point where the algae cannot thrive in such large numbers. Also keep the light out on the tank if you can. You can also add some fast growing hardy plants to help compete with the algae.

I can bet if you keep working at it consistently you will get rid of your algae bloom. Nothing has worked better for my tanks then daily large water changes and cutting out the light meantime.

I hope this helps and best of luck!!!
Karen~