Why the black thumb!

[PonyPlantedTanks]

I cannot for the life of me figure out why I am cursed with the ability to grow every algae under the sun and not a single plant.

My new 29g (yes, it is new, which will mean algae… but I think we have other issues going on) already has BGA or Cyanobacteria. I feel like this is not normal for a new tank.
My other 10g recently ish had a major outbreak of BGA as well. 
Along with that, I’ve got diatom on all of my plant leaves, green hair algae on the glass and the beginnings of BBA on the gravel (just the purpley flat looking stuff so far). 
My goal is just a simple, low tech tank. I just want to have a jungle!😂

I dose Easy Green once a week after I water change (and manually remove as much algae as I can) so my Nitrates reach 20ppm.
I have a Nicrew SkyLED at 30% for 6 and a half hours each day. Inert gravel with root tabs

The thing I think might be a sign of the problem is by the end of the week, my nitrates never reach 0. In fact, they barely dip below 20. To me this tells me that my plants are not utilizing the fertilizer, but I don’t know if it’s because they’re not getting enough light/not a long enough light period/too much light etc.

I am looking for guidance from someone who knows more about this than me and can help me decide what to do going forward.

FTS - it’s a 29 so maybe not enough light is getting to the plants at the bottom?

BGA on the sponge filter ^Hygrophila angustifolia getting it’s fair share of algae🙈

BGA starting to creep onto the gravel

 

Thank you for any thoughts

[Beach Cruiser]

It takes a while for plants to kick in & really start growing well, especially in a new tank. Until then excess nutrients give algae a jump start. 

If it were my tank, I'd make sure i wasn't overfeeding, do a gravel vacuum to reduce organics & increase partial water changes for a few weeks after treatment for bga. Wait til you see some good growth on the hygro & replant. Light is probably fine for what you have. 

Best of luck!