For the first part of your question:
GO with the FUGE! (did I mention go w/ the fuge?)
Place macro algae in the fuge, give it some light, and it will try and outcomete the micro algea such as hair algae, etc.
You can't go wrong w/ adding a fuge.
As for the black/clear... i'd go w/ clear that way you can always view all the little critters running around in your fuge!
Stewie