ok, it's been a while, but it's a slooooow build so technically the last few months has just been a drop in the bucket.
But I have made some changes in that time.
First, as i mentioned in the post above, i went ahead and removed the black sand.
OMG! Best thing I ever did to this tank.
First, no more magnetic granules getting stuck in my magnet cleaner.
Second, nothing would grow before. Now, everything took off! Ok, maybe not "took off" but a bid difference, and pretty much immediately. Zoas don't wither away, they actually grow. I got some acans and they are growing. And the tank looks brighter and prettier. That black stuff was sucking up too much light.
Third, I picked up the AutoAqua Smart ATO. Nice not to have to worry about top offs for like a month at a time. I have a 5g bucket under my desk.
And since I have an ato, I started running Kalk. I think my Alk was down to around 4 dkh. Doh! Now it's around 7.5 last i checked.
And finally, I got the nano box led light. Very cool little gadget. Got the "storm" controller (bad name btw). So now it automatically dims on/off and follows the cycle of the sun for here in Houston, TX.
Much better light than the stocker.
Here's some updated pics of the tank...
