First question is, are you talking common algae, or "problem" algae? Common algae is natural and will be present in any healthy aquarium. It will grow on all surfaces; snails, shrimp, some fish can easily deal with this, and a wipe of the inside front glass with a sponge at every weekly water change is all you need to be doing. Cyanobacteria is another issue, caused by excess organics in the presence of light.
Problem algae in a planted tank is different; here the problem is an imbalance of light/nutrients, nothing more. Establish or restore the balance, and end of problem algae. Never use algicides, add special algae-eating fish (they have their own issues usually), or resort to any chemical. If the light is of sufficient intensity and spectrum to provide what the plants require, and there are adequate nutrients in balance, you can control the algae with the duration of the lighting. I have not had black brush algae for over four or five years, since I worked out the balance of tank lighting duration, ambient window light, and fertilization.