[tlyons01]

Hmm. Have you set up a timer for your lights, to set a siesta time, as suggested in your journal? If not, that would be a good idea. You can pick one up at places like walmart, pretty cheaply.

Also, it's best to start out a tank heavily planted, so that the plants out compete the algae for the nutrients and that helps keep most algae at bay. If you are able to, I would fill up on fast growing stem plants. Whether you decide to keep them or not, down the road you can figure that out.

These suggestions should give you a good place to start. I did just see that you have reduced the lighting to 6 hours.

There are also some fish that are recommended for cycling, if you have thought about it. Though until the numbers are steady, that might increase water changes, so maybe that isn't a good suggestion. Guess it all depends on your idea of maintenance...

Is there a way to raise your lights? That might also help.