Algae growing on plants

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a 29 gal goldfish tank, I've had two of the goldfish since 2003, the other two since 2006/07 and this tank since 2005/06.  I was having a fair amount of algae growth so I decided that my tank could probably sustain some real plants, so I put some laterite down under the gravel and bought some plants.  All the plants have been doing well and have new growth, and the algae problem seemed more under control, but now I have reddish-brown furry algae growing on the plants themselves.  I was wondering if this is a problem for the plants, if they will get less light with algae growing on them, if I should scrape the algae off, or just leave it.  I'm also thinking about buying more plants since these plants are doing well.  I also have two apple snails so I try to keep the calcium levels up in the tank with crushed sea shell & some sand.

Nitrate = <0.5 ppm, total hardness = 200 ppm, pH ~7.6

Also, do you recommend adding any other fertilizer product to the tank for the plants?  The new growth is also more transparent than the existing leaves, is this from a light problem or a nutrition problem?

ANSWER: Hi Michelle:  the algae on the plants is not good for them... it cuts back on their light and the algae eventually begins to kill the leaf or stem... Too many plants for an aquarium is not good either... but you can add and landscape your tank for maximum effect.  I use fertilizer on a monthly basis... just some general plant fertilizer works just fine... the transparent leaves is a light issue... dave

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QUESTION: Well, if algae is still growing, wouldn't I be able to support more plants?  I only have three larger plants (>8in) right now and a scattering of small ones.  Do transparent leaves mean too much or too little light?

Answer
Hi Michelle:  The fish in your tank have to have free swimming room of at least 60% of your tank space... If they have enough room to freely swim then you may add more plants... Algae is small and invasive...its presence is not an indication that more plants will or will not survive in your tank... Algae robs your existing plants of light and food... so its presents is based off of the needs of your existing plants... dave