i use a scraper to sift the sand almost daily because of tap water usage (high nitrates and silicates and phosphates). then use a magnetic cleaner to get the glass daily.
this plus regular water changes -- additions -- seems to knock it down alot.
eventually, they say, that the coraline algae will keep the brown algae down.
good water flow helps my tank alot and filter cleaning (since the filter sponges et. al. are a cause of much of the algae).