Who Gives A Fish Forums

Root tabs are way better for heavy root feeders like Amazon Swords. I've got a similar setup, 30 gallons with dirt capped by sand. Tabs near the roots made a huge difference in growth. Liquid ferts are good for column feeders, but swords need that direct nutrient hit.

Another trick is to manually remove as much algae as you can during water changes. Use a toothbrush for stubborn spots on hardscape. It's tedious but effective. How's the flow in your tank? Poor circulation can create dead zones where algae thrives.

Reducing light exposure is key. Try cutting back to 6 hours a day and see if that helps. Also, floating plants like Frogbit can shade the tank and outcompete algae for nutrients. What's your current light schedule?