can't get rid of algae

[Elite]

this is not my normal algae. I have 1 foot long common pleco (I know, I know) and 2 otos who have been living in this tank for over a year and the algae has been there the entire time. I can't get it off with my magnetic algae sponge or my normal one, I can get a tiny bit with my nails but eeww that's gross. I was considering getting a metal scraper but the one at petsmart was $15 I'd hate to use something that would scratch the glass on the tank, but I just can't afford the ones meant for aquariums. Would a razorblade hurt it? Would maybe a putty knife work? I can't put a snail in that tank because although I think the apple ones are gorgeous and I might get them for another of my tanks, I have live plants in this specific one. Do you think this algae will grow back? It's been the same ammount of algae ever since I moved the tank where it is now (over a year). It didn't have any algae problem the pleco couldn't take care of at the last two houses I've had the tank at. My other tanks don't have that kind of algae either. The algae is green and polka dotty, not stringy or anything.
I was considering taking everything out of the setup and just compeltely redoing it (same fish, though), so do you think I should scrape this algae out while it's up and running currently, or when I take it apart? Do you think it has anything to do with the live plants? Everybody elses tank walls look so clean compared to this one...has anyone else ever experianced this algae?
Thanks!

 

[Dubby]

If your tank is made of glass you can use an old razor blade safely to remove the stubborn algae. Once you have scraped the top layer your pleco and ottos should help clean the rest.

Live plants actually help reduce nitrates in the tank and hence reduce algae. If the plants are growing well then they compete with the algae for nutrients and can keep it in check.

Info on the water parameters, light intensity etc will help us give more suggestions on reducing algae.