Fishtails,
Another alternative to a phosphate sponge would be to pour some phosphate pellets into a mesh media bag and leave that in your wet/dry if you have one, or possibly in a power filter in place of the carbon bag(alternate them). I originally used tap water to cycle my last aquarium(50 gallon) and even after i started using RO/DI water from my LFS, I still had both Diatom and Hair Algae Problems. My LFS recommended I buy a media bag and throw some phosphate pellets in there. I did, and within a few weeks, my algae was gone. Algone which can be purchased online may also help.
Thanks,
-David-