How often do you stir your substrate to avoid algae collecting on the top?

With a bunch of tanks that can have fish or just corals in them, but still having issues with the sand/substrate collecting algae (commonly green, purple, and brown), how do you prevent it in your tank?

Do you commonly stir the substrate to make sure that it turns over as debris collects to prevent algae? Do you have any other method at all to take care of it?