Is It Possible To Encourage Plants Without Encouraging Algae?

To thrive, plants need the right balance of nutrients. Algae tends to thrive where there is an imbalance in nutrients. So if you get the nutrients right to encourage the plants, the algae will actually be discouraged.

This is a great website for identifying what needs rectifying.
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
It's best used with comprehensive water testing, but is a good guide on its own.

It's also a good idea to find out what's in your tap water. I live in a soft water area and because I have so many plants compared to the number of fish, that I have to add nitrates when I do water changes.

Good luck.

The site Helen refers to gives a lot of opinions on causes and effects, but what evidence is this based on? I only trust such theories if someone can refer me to proper research which supports them.

In any case, the site refers to heavily planted high tech tanks with very few, if any, fish, which does not correspond to what most people have.

I'm a bit late to this party, but I've read that some fast growing plants will out compete algae given the right conditions. The three most important ingredients are light (not too much), CO2 and fertilizer. Get the dose of each right with appropriate stocking and algae shouldn't be too much of a problem. Moss balls, Anacharis and Wisteria are all common algae inhibitors.

These plants with half a dozen Red Crystal Shrimps have kept my tank very clear, though I am starting to get some algae on my glass, which the shrimp don't touch!