Black Hair Algae issue

Hey everyone... My tank has been going for about 4 months now, and everything is perfect... a complete eco-system... my nitrates never rise above 5 and the other numbers remain at zero, due to my heavily planted tank...
the only Issue I have is that black hair algae.. I have 2 otocats and 2 ghost shimp as well as a bunch of snails to help with the algae.. I have no green algae just this black stuff... didnt have much of it until I did my first very small probably a 10% water change... now one day later it has probably quadrupled...
The guy at the pet store once told me that water changes help algae.. and i am now starting to belive him.. but do you guys suggest the cause of this algae?? and do you know a better algae eater out there or soemthign else I can do to control this... then everything is A OK.. thanks for any advice..

 

I'm having the same problem in my 10 gallon. Someone told me that it is generally caused by high nitrAtes or high phosphates and it is extremely difficult to get rid of.

-Chelle

 

It shouldnt be harmful to the fish or plants though should it? Like I dont have a REAL lot, just enough to be annoying.. I think your right about the phosphates i think thats why the water change escalated the problem...

 

It won't hurt the fish, but if it's on the plants, it could hurt them.

-Chelle