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Plus limiting NPK to the substrate limits algae...
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Algae requires MUCH MUCH MUCH less nutrients than plants. The leaching of nutrients is enough to sustain an algae population. In fact, even if there's no leaching, the mere presence of fish and decaying matter in the tank is enough to feed algae. While we don't know exactly why a properly maintained tank does not foster algae, we do know that limiting macronutrients isn't one of them.
Let's take PO4 for example, tsunami, myself, and many others keep PO4 nearer to 2 ppm and dose macros exclusively via the water column, and algae is not a problem for us unless we slack off and allow the plants to suffer in health. Then, the algae creeps in. Tom often preaches that the goal should be to grow plants, NOT how to kill algae. There is truth to that statement because algae will recede significantly when plants are healthy. Algae will never disappear altogether, but enough as to not bother all but the most anal of aquarists.
