I say get rid of the sump personaly, you don't want the surface to be turbulant as this will off gas the co2, but ypou can modify it to work. I was actualy thinking of going with a sump for my next one. just going to take a lot to make the surfce still.
If you have a PH meter you don't need a drop checker, they are neat but just for people who don't want to spend the money on a PH meter. I got a PH controler for my tank when I set it up.
the reactor you are using isn't the best, I would go to a proper reactor style I got a bunch of new stuff to set up my freshwater tank just befor I moved.
if I am allowed the mecca of freshwater parts and supplies
http://www.aquariumplants.com/
I used 100% florite for my tank but I like the black look, makes the colors of the fish and plants pop, but this shouldn't be a problem for you. something is raising the PH.. a planted tank will always tend to drop in PH so you have something that is adding hardness and PH to your water so that is where I would look.
what are you adding for food, fertalizer, you putting any calcium based rocks in there for display? any rock that will fizz when you put vinager on it should not be in your planted tank.
Steve
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