Algae is a sign that you have higher levels of phosphates in your tank. This is normal in a new tank, using dry rock or old live rock, overfeeding, poor skimmer, no water changes, etc. If it is just film algae on the glass, this is quite normal even in mature tanks with low level of phosphates and why people use mag floats or something similar to wipe the glass clean.
Yeah, I get a film on the front glass too. Gives the snails something to do. As long as there's no hair algae or cyano buildup pointing to a larger nutrient issue, I say +1 mag float and give it a swipe every so often.
I don't! I have a mag float on hand though, just in case, but I prefer cleaning with a razorblade thing, after learning the hard way what sand+mag float+enthusiastic cleaning does to glass...... Definitely always have something handy for an easy clean though!