I am pleased to say that my problem with algae is improving daily. A friend has advised me to use a tea bag? actually its a phosphate remover & yes it looks like a tea bag. You can either pop it into the tank or the filter, its supposed to last for 2 months & I paid £2.99 for it. My friend swears by it as do other members of his family. I have had some help removing my algae in the form of swordtails, I have put 2 adults & 2 young ones in my tank (pinched them from my son) & they are doing a wonderful job even eating the hair algae.
Thanks R3GG & I hope this may help you in the future. Good luck with the new plants.