Freshwater algae problem

Question
Hello, I have had a small 10 gallon tank for 3 years, successfully housing freshwater fish.  I have been fighting algae on and off since we started the tank, but over the last 3 or 4 months, the algae comes back so rampantly, I am not sure what to do.  The algae itself is green, it looks greenish brown on the sides of the glass.  The plants and decorations (little clay boats) are covered in green algae.  The rocks also have patches of greenish-brown algae. In the past I have scrubbed the algae off the glass, rinsed the plants and boat with a hard scrub-brush, and treated with a brand of Algae-preventing solution, but it always comes back.  Should I be adding more solution, or should I keep adding it regularly like everything else?  Or do I need to think about replacing the inside plants and rocks?  HELP!!!  Thankfully my fish seem healthy, but I can't bring myslef to add more until I get the algae under control (I have 4 medium tetras inside, with one algae eater).

Answer
Hey Stephanie,

algae tabs and liquids need to be added on a regular time frame. My tanks have a moderately high level of salt, which helps slow the algae growth. I also keep live plants like ferns and swords, which naturally have high nutrient demands and reduce algae's ability to find enough nutrients to survive. If you're having a host of a time trying to keep the algae down even with live plants, and anti algae suppliments, consider a hillstream loach! They are currently in season, and i know at petco they're avalible for around 3-4$ each in california. If you wish to special order these amazing tank cleaners, ask the petco aquatics specialist to look for "pleco-borneo sucker" As it was listed that way on the 5-30-07 avalibility list for southern california. It's actually a very small, non-aggressive warm water animal. It prefer's a neutral pH without any extreme conditions. In a community tropical tank, these two inch stingray sucker mouths fit in perfectly. In a cichlid tank, a striped or spotted raphael or a pleco is a far better choice.

Hope this helps out! best wishes. Oh and do a google search for borneo suckers! They're pretty cool and come in many shapes, colors, and patterns.