High nitrate level in planted tank...

Tank has been planted for about 2 months, and have about a 50/50 success rate in plant survival. The Java ferns seem to be doing very well while the swords just died off.

I have an NO2 injector that seems to be doing its job although not all plants are reacting very well.

I think that I have a low-light problem in general as far as the plants go, but I don't have the cash right now to massively upgrade my lighting system.

I have recently seen a large increase in "brown" algae growth all over the tank.

I am thinking that the plant "remains" and other things have eventually led to a high nitrate level.

Any advice on how to get this down?

Nitrate: 80 ppm
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 150
Alkalinity: 120
PH: 7.4

hehe, yea... Tank size and stocking in signature...

Just completed a 50 percent water change with the python. It's become a pain now that I have to go "around" the plants when vacuuming...I'll check the water here in a couple of hours to see what's changed...

Water quality was dead on before going to live plants, and I haven't added any fish...

I have the standard lighting system that came with the tank.
Two ballasts using 18in bulbs. Currently using 2 15 watt Aqua-Glo bulbs, which light the tank and fish just fine for normal use.

As far as the light timing, the light is kept on from 8 AM to 10-11 PM every day, so there is about 14-15 hours every day.

I just compare my tank with some successful planted tanks I've seen and their light output is much brighter...