The reason I was leaning towards lighting in when I originally posted, is when I used the stock T5 that came with the kit, everything was fine, for several months - and I did it all manually. When I got the finnex 24/7 planted+ within a couple months it started. I did not do anything different, but change the light. Now I have been manually cleaning it every week for probably close to 18 months. I do know how to control the nitrates, but there are so many plants in there (there is over 50 floating water sprite) that I let the nitrates go as a test to see if the plants would just uptake it and let it resolve itself over time. Not the case though. I expiremented with adding extra fertalizer, as I saw that in one of cory's videos but within 2 weeks it was out of control and took me several hours to clean it, so I dialed it back again.
I know it wont hurt my fish, but if it stays on the sprite and java fern too long, it starts to die back because it isnt getting light. So as of now, I spend about an hour and a half every weekend manually cleaning it off. I just cant see doing it long term. I have another tank too and just got a 3rd, so I would like to spend time with other fish and setups vs cleaning algae.
I know its growing, all that sprite came from one plant originally. I planted out a 2nd tank and 3 of my friends tanks with it already as well and I remove a handful a week.
I'm not sure if any of that helps more - but its becoming time consuming and I would like to expand the hobby, not just focus all my time on one tank.
-Steve