I use the salinity probe of the Neptune Apex system, and verify it against a refractometer that I calibrate just about every time I pull it out.
I changed out the filter socks yesterday, and well as cleaned up the protein skimmer when I did the water change, that's really the only mechanical filters I have, I guess.
Like I said, I did have some growth before hand, but when I did the water change I sucked it off the sand and rocks-for the most part- using some airline tube and a long piece of hard line I have hooked to it. It was just a surprise to see so much first thing in the AM. It was definitely more this morning than I had removed yesterday.
Flow is:
2 x jaebo wp-40
http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-WP-40-Maker-Controller-Aquarium/dp/B00FSALYTS I can't really go anymore than that, this already tends to move some of my sand around, but have toyed with the idea of getting a smaller one to put somewhere, I just don't know where since these are on the left and right blowing the back wall (rocks) and down the front wall.
return pump: diablo dc5500
I tend to use another pump to manually blow off all the rocks into the water column when I do the water change, but I did not do it this time.
I believe I do have nassarius (love them coming out of the sand
) cerith, and astraea I had some turbos but they always seemed to end up upside down, and dead... so I think I'll leave those guys out. Although after the dino battle, it seems to be a lot less snails, so I think it's killed off some of them too. Probably time to get some more, mainly I wanted to make sure I didn't have another outbreak of those before I spent the cash!
Thanks again,
Andrew
OH and you mention lights... I'm running two Kessil a360we tuna blues... so I don't think it's a bulb going out.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Kessil_A360WE_Wide_Angle_Tuna_Blue_90W_LED_Fixture_p/rke33739.htm