Glad I made your day, thought you might chuckle about that...

Hey, just to let you know... If I don't see improvement in the next 30 days, the next step is actually removing the pellets. It will be the last straw before giving up and just going FOWLR

I have a desk light strapped to the. Inside of the stand for maintaince I would always want a light under there for that
If it was me with no algae in th sump I would take it out most likely And use it as a maintaince light or if it's a specific tank light sell it and buy a $10 desk light