You all are forgetting the fact that Yes those things mentiond above are good for getting rid of algae out of your tank..
The problem lies not with removal, but with how it's getting there in the first place..
Lets think PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE ..
If you locate why you are getting algae on and in your sand you need to find the source so it can be rectified in order to have the outcome you would want and most desire, which is a low maintenance tank..
If you want clean sand you must have low phosphates..If you have lots of algae and low phosphates in your water it's because the algae is consuming the phosphates.
First get RO water.. If you don't get a ro unit get some water from a LFS or something.. this will solve half yuor problems..
Second make sure you have good bulbs over your tank.. Lighting (low Kelvin or old bulb) will feed algae like crazy..
Third are you over feeding your tank? And what are you feeding.?
Are you overstocked and or under skimming your tank?
these questions being answered and properly delt with, you will not have an algae problem.