I use liquid
CO2. I dont think you will get consistent answers on this. Different people will tell you different things and unless you are a chemistry bod its difficult for you tell fact from opinion.
I use liquid
CO2 (Seachem Excel), and i saw improved plant growth compared to before i dosed it. Its certainly an algaecide, but whether thats all it is? It will kill off algae if you inject it onto a spot. Thats testable. Even as an algaecide this will improve plant growth. It means you can turn up the lighting a little without algae growing, which will in turn improve plant growth. The instructions say daily dosing, i probably dose 2 to 3 times a week if i remember to.
This is my opinion.