So far its awesome. I'm glad we went with something so wide as the sound of water flowing over it is difficult to hear at only 8ft away. It seems like the flow works as hoped, pushing any particulates towards the drains, nothing seems to be building up on the bottom.

I think the parameters is strictly just the salt. I'll look into if others have had any parameter spikes like mine or JDigital's. The SG is now spot on at our intended 1.024, and I have no reliable Ca test as mine came with no expiration date.

I'll address the issue as time goes on. I suspect its the salt having high dKH and probably Ca values. The only way I could find to reduce dKH though was muriatic acid dosing either directly into the tank (diluted with FW) or via auto top off. The other option I suppose would be to do WCs with a different, or lower dKH salt. I'm of the mind that I'll just let it run its course and see where things are at in a week or so. Should things still be running high then maybe I'll do a WC and use some of the AquaVitro salt I have.

Any other suggestions for lowering dKH?

I've only tested the tank twice for dKH;
1) SG 1.022 and the number was 289ppm
2) SG 1.024 and the number was 289ppm again

Maybe I just got all the dKH additives from the batch? I'll keep testing it as the system breaks in some more. :question:

You could seed some coralline and let it fall naturally, without doing any WCs
By the time you have lots of corals you'll be happy with your New SW being high enough to save you dosing

True, and valid points.

Temp: 79.2 (up from last)
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25ppm (up from last at 0 - 0.25ppm)
Nitrate (NO3): 5ppm (up from last at 0ppm)
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm (same)
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

Added a small, two fist sized piece of coraline encrusted LR to the system a few days ago. It looks funny, the only purple rock in a sea of white.

Temp: 79.7
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25-0.5ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 5-10ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

Getting there...

Temp: 80.8
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 5-10ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0-0.25ppm
pH: 8.1/8.2 on the cusp
dKH: didn't test
Ca: didn't test
Mg: didn't test

I think this is the tail end of my cycle!

Just waiting on my skimmer now.

looks like a great start!
good to see your temp at the right spot.
those extra 2 300 watt heaters helped out!
i cant wait to see the one year FTS. (next year)

Put up some temporary lighting to see in the tank.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...D52161B58F.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...D51673D705.jpg

I need to do some more/new planning work for my QT system and organizational system for the fishroom. I also have to order some vinyl for the backglass. I'm on the fence for blue or black. 2 cents?

Black. Its eventually going to get covered in other colours from the inside anyways lol.
Blue I have found takes away from the contents of the tank. Black goes unnoticed for the most part.

I went with blue on my 280g because "the ocean is blue, whee! I like blue" or some such... In hindsight, my overflow is black, my corner silicone is black and I've never really gotten the sensation I was looking into the deep ocean blue when I stare at my background. OTOH, black makes colours pop more especially in photographs. I might change my blue to black at some point (it's only paint, and time ... haha. "One day").

I say consider black... You might even never go back.