Getting rid of bacterial bloom

Question
I have a 55 gallon tank with all easy community fish.  My 4 year old nephew dumped a whole can of fish food into the tank.  My frog and 4 plecos thought they were in all you can eat heaven but I lost 10 fish by the time I got home and saw what he did.  Did a 50% water change along with vacuuming the gravel of all the food.  Naturally my levels are off the charts.  We now have a bacterial bloom.  We used a flocculant and did another 15% change 24 hours after the 50% ... figuring all I had to lose was the last of my fish (had just lost 4 to ick ... what was left were the bottom feeders, a ghost catfish and and the few platys/mollies we had from the beginning in July).

Question - how do I go about clearing up such a bacterial bloom?  I have cut back feedings to every third day, and am planning to do a 10% water change every day ... but I can't even see my plants or buildings.

Answer
Hi Vicki;

Oh wow. What a mess you've had to deal with. You are actually doing about all you can at this point. If it were my tank I would vacuum the gravel every day for a week (or until the gravel is totally clean) while removing up to 50% of the water. Rinse the filter pads gently every few days too. Don't replace them or you will lose beneficial bacteria. Filter pads should only be replaced when they are so worn out they fall apart or just can't be rinsed enough to allow water to flow freely.

The feedings of every 3 days is fine. It's just going to take time to clear up. Make sure you get under the decorations and plants and in the corners with the gravel vac too. You don't want any septic areas to develop. Keep up the good work and it will clear up eventually.

I hope it gets better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins