Why would you suggest the plywood bottom? Just for weight dispersement?

Algae!!!!!
 

Definately the weirdest cycle I have ever had. Has anyone else had this type or hair like algae in a cycle? Every time i've cycled thus far, I've only got minimal algae, and a lot of powdery diatoms. :question:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...a/DSCN1802.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...a/DSCN1801.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...a/DSCN1800.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...a/DSCN1799.jpg

Seems excessive to me.

I had that when my tank was cycling. Thought it was normal cause I'm on my first tank. I think i posted some early pics where you can see that kind of algae on one of the early aqua-scapes.

Hermit crabs, astrea snails, & turbo's cleaned that sheite away.

I've seen hair algae during cycles. Your tank is fishless at the moment, just keep it fishless for a while and the algae will starve out! No need to add a clean up crew :)

edit: oh, and don't forget your water changes!

The rock had a little more pent up nutrients than usual. Not only do you have hair algae you also have dinoflagellates which is the brown bubbly stuff. If you aren't already, keep the lights turned off, and don't add a clean up crew or fish until it has resolved itself. Large weekly water changes will speed up the process if you want.

So lights off won't delay or mess with the cycle at all?

Nope :)

Nothing in your tank currently requires light, save for that wonderful algae turf you are growing :)

Personally, I would simply nix the check valve and design the sump to accommodate the back flow of water during power outage and water changes. I would not want to rely on a check valve to keep my floors dry!

Yeah lights are off for now! (except fuge light).

And I tested the level of the over full sump... and even after the back flow had gone into the sump, and the syphon was broken, there was still and inch left at the top of the sump! So thats good news.

Now to starve away that algae, and figure out a backup strategy for the overflow....