I would not disturb the sand. The algae will go away on it's own once you've removed it's source. I would also sell the cannister filter and buy more rock, or beer or something. Unless you clean whatever's in the cannister, it creates nitrates quickly, which can contribute to algae.
More frequent (partial) water changes with good water, less input of nutrients, and some patience will solve the problem. Maybe not as quickly as you'd like, but it is the best (and right) way of solving algae problems.
