Some updates:
- whatever caused that transient pH drop as noted above was a one-time event and there have been no issues since then...
- no responses to my question above, but after some more research, I'm going with a DOS and DDR Dosing System package that will run two-part via my Apex.
- for those of you who have a hard time catching a fish in a reef tank, an additional good idea (all my Dad's idea, not mine): I was attempting to use the Aqua Medic Fish Trap with the collapsing door controlled by the pull of a string. Not an awful design, though it has some flaws. For those fish that are impossible to catch without ripping all of your rock out, it seems to be worth the money if you're planning on being in the hobby longterm. I was attempting to use it a few times to catch a magenta dottyback that introduced ich into my tank (had already caught all other fish and placed them in QT at first sign of disease), but without any success - the clear plastic "cave" seemed insufficiently welcoming/safe for the dottyback, even with it baited with some very enticing foods. I was trying to place things over the trap to make the interior darker and more accommodating, when my Dad thought up the idea to use the Krylon fusion black spraypaint that I had to paint the outside of it. On my first shot with the new change, I had the dottyback caught within 10 minutes or so! All fish have now been in quarantine and being treated with Cupramine for 3 weeks now. I plan to have a fallow display tank for at least 72 days in hopes of getting rid of it for good, and going forward I will quarantine all livestock at least 6 weeks for observation prior to them making it into the DT. Corals and inverts are doing well in the DT in the meantime.
- Also getting an Innovative Marine Lagoon 25 to be used as a frag tank, so I'll have a dedicated frag tank for coral, etc. QT and my dedicated 29 gallon barebottom tank for fish QT. I welcome any advice re: pros, cons, and mods of this tank, especially re: a good choice for compact, good-looking lighting for it.
- We're currently also working on creating a water exchange system from the basement with a Little Giant pump and the two barrels, etc. to make water exchanges easier.
- Will try to upload some pictures sometime soon.
- I have lots of nice styrofoam cooler-type fish transport boxes if anybody would like one or two; happy to help a fellow reefer out if you're willing to make the trip somewhere near where I live in Worcester.