Will address this better at work but just can't resist...
If you have the proper setup from the get-go, you won't have an algae problem at all, or at the very most, one that can be managed very easily. It isn't a matter of a scaper just getting "lucky".
Again will address this & comment on your vid, Mark, at work.
Liz
I beg to differ.... go over to a planted tank forum and have a look at alot of the journals, experienced to beginner scapers and compare how many have a 'certain amount' of algae problems to the amount that dont.
Have you never had a algae breakout/problem in your setup's?
I haven't had a serious algal outbreak since my first scape, over five years ago. Everything else has fallen under the category of "manageable" or "not worth adressing because it's too small a problem" or simply "not present". And I say it in my journal. Right now, there's some green spot in my ADA, on the glass, but it's like a couple spots only, so who cares?
I dont understand your logic with getting the tank setup correct from the offset.... so you yourself can get the exact amount of co2 correct, ratio of flow to avoid dead spots correct... correct fert dosing.... maintenance regime.... from the offset?.
Yes, in fact, I can. Decide on your lighting. Decide on your flow (mine has always been heavy). Decide on your CO2 regimen. Decide on your ferts. Decide on your plantmass. Decide on your photoperiod. THEN setup the tank. Then keep it agressively clean for the first month or two and don't rescape for a period of time after the initial planting. This how I have done things since my first planted tank. I truely apologize if I'm coming across as rude. I don't intend it. I'm just get really frustrated for people who don't do this initially and then have algae problems. Algae takes all the fun and pleasure out of having a planted tank.
I bet you will find alot of even the most of experienced scapers will say there will often be algae related problems for new setups even some older setups.
Most new tanks suffer from Diatoms due to ammonia build up, regardless of whether it's a planted tank or not. Remove the ammonia source, no diatoms. Buy otos, no diatoms. Sorry, I'm going to come across as a snob, it's not my intention. If experienced scapers are experiencing algae problems, perhaps they are not so experienced. Scaping a tank and growing plants are two different things in my humble opinion.
I agree get every aspect of the tanks balanced and yes the chances are very high in reducing algae... the balance though isn't just sorted over a matter of hours.. sometimes it takes weeks.... these weeks taken account for many aspects to why and if algae does have a outbreak.
If you establish a limiting factor from the onset. Usually for me, it'll be light, you can delay or even prevent the onset of any severe algae problems and slow the progession to a level where it becomes much more manageable or even a non-issue during the life of the scape. Most scapes here average 3 months, mine tend to last about 9 months to a year.
I could point you to some of the top aquascaper having had algae problems and these people know what there doing lol.
Like I said, scaping and growing
aren't the same thing. One can be a fabulous scaper and
not grow plants well and know nothing about the plants being kept. I see so many threads with id my plant please. Why not read about a plant in a book (or on the web) and
then go buy it. Why put something in your tank if you don't know what it is?
Not intended to be any sort of argument but i find it very difficult to understand how you think a balanced tank from the offset can be established without any algae making trial and error? (in most cases)... please enlighten me
No arguement at all. It is my pleasure to answer questions. In fact, sometimes I wish the members here would ask me more before they setup their tanks.
I'm not a guru or anything, but I must be doing something right.
Back to the OP's problems though..
Mark, that tank is filthy, sorry I'm being harsh. Clean it up. That is my advice to you. You gotta get in there and physically clean and remove the algae. You can't just leave it there for it to die. As it dies, decomposition sets in and you're repeating the cycle. Toothbrush makes a good cleaning tool. Then, once the tank is clean, reduce the photoperiod, be agressive with the maintenance, and your current regimen can continue and you add plants. Shifting the dropchecker is a great idea. I've suggested that in other journals. I do this when I initially setup, before adding the plants, and then after again, to make sure everything is going ok. That is, if I'm adding CO2.
I apologize, everybody, you got Liz on a
bad day... I'm going back to work now.
Liz
.
I know your not sucking up 
You too, Mark! 
