Noob questions

[Sexytang]

Someone told me a while back that adding new plastic items to the tank could cause the brown/reddish algae on the sand is this true. Seems like when I used my new cleaning hose it did it when I added my new wavemaker it did it now I added a nori plasic clip with suction cup to the side of the tank that I keep in there all the time the sand has bloomed some algae

 

[McFly]

I don't believe that is true. Try to, at a minimum, thoroughly wash new equipment with warm water and if possible give it a quick vinegar bath then rinse with RO/DI.

Perhaps they were loosely referencing silicate and diatoms (brownish dust that can cover your glass/sand/rocks) which is normal to appear in newly setup aquariums.

 

[Sexytang]

A other question should I add some carbon to my hob filter

 

[McFly]

Carbon is rarely a bad idea to run. Just make sure you rinse all the dust off with RO/DI water. It's not going to solve your algae problem, but it can help with smell, yellow water and absorbing volatile organic compounds.