so still, shouldn't it take a considerable dent out of the free floating
algae spores? Wouldn't this slow the appearance of algae as it would not be
able to spread in the tank nearly as fast?

IME, no. Unlike, say, ich, it's not the amount of spores that controls how
much algae you have in your tank. It's what's available in the tank to feed
the algae.

A lot of people have tried to control algae by keeping spores out of the tank.
It never works. Similarly, if your tank is in balance, you can add plants and
rocks that are covered with algae, and it will not spread; it will just die
off.

A UV sterilizer might be a good investment for you, for treating ich, because
of the size of your tank. Medication is a hassle with very large tanks. But
don't expect it to solve your algae problems. If you have algae, your tank is
out of balance. Too much light, not enough CO2, or some kind of nutrient
deficiency.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/