Azonic, keep doing what you are doing. If you are getting an amonia (sp?) and nitrite spikes, you are doing fine. Your lr and sand have started the cycle. Getting a snail will not be necessary yet.
Assuming you did get the spikes, you are fine. If not, go get a piece of dead shrimp from the grocery store and throw that in there to cycle the tank. But it looks like you are already cycling, so you should be fine. Wait the spikes out until both are zero. Then slowly add a fish (one) to start with. Let the fish add to the bioload and let the tank re-adjust. After 1 month or so with tank parameters fine again, you probably can add another fish or 2. Have your stocking plan set up before you buy anything.
Your cleaning crew can come at any point after you finish cycling.
The algae bloom is just a part of the cycle process. If should go away be itself.
HTH's
Marty