I have used an algae plate in my sump before... I mounted a sheet of that plastic grid material you can get at Hobby Lobby to a piece of egg crate, placed a 4500K light over it, waited for the nasty turg algae to grow like mad, and that was it. I've since replaced that plate with more rock instead as I have a ton of macro in there and didn't need the turfs. I do miss having the free Tang food though......