Folk are often too quick to attribute cause and effect where there isn't any...
Algae issues are usually caused by other factors such as organic build up often due to poor maintenance lack of water changes dirty filter etc, light intensity that is too high and/or a photoperiod that is too long, unstable or inadequate CO2 implementation flow and distribution, and inadequate fertz regimen.
I've lived in areas where the water quality is categorised as hard (200-300 CaCO3 mg/l), including Nottingham, and have had no problem whatsoever growing healthy aquatic plants free of algae..
Like Iain mentions, AG's water is categorised as very hard (>300 CaCO3 mg/l). You just need to take a look at the scapes in their showroom to realise water hardness doesn't really matter to plants, fish, shrimp or algae.
Algae issues are usually caused by other factors such as organic build up often due to poor maintenance lack of water changes dirty filter etc, light intensity that is too high and/or a photoperiod that is too long, unstable or inadequate CO2 implementation flow and distribution, and inadequate fertz regimen.
I've lived in areas where the water quality is categorised as hard (200-300 CaCO3 mg/l), including Nottingham, and have had no problem whatsoever growing healthy aquatic plants free of algae..
Like Iain mentions, AG's water is categorised as very hard (>300 CaCO3 mg/l). You just need to take a look at the scapes in their showroom to realise water hardness doesn't really matter to plants, fish, shrimp or algae.