for 1. I will do that, probably 2 or 3 of the #1s, I also probably should've done this earlier, quick paint sketch of how the water flow works in my tank.
#2,3,5,6 all blow downwards and towards the center of the tank, they create a slow current that blows everything towards the center.. probably will need some work.
#1,4 blows upwards and slightly breaks the surface, making bubbles and allowing more air to come into contact to the water, giving more air.
I should've put this picture up earlier, its the guts of the system, but here it is.
main pump on left, hidden behind the jug containing the skimmed residue, skimmer, sump, smaller pump submerged inside the sump propels water to the skimmer. There's another area to the left, but nothing's in there.
I couldn't get the specs on the smaller pump..
now for #2, I'll see if I can get it
Lighting is a 36" + a 24" power compact, type D, set on two timers. Antics at 7 AM, Daylights at 7:30ish AM, Daylights go out at ~6:30 PM, Antics at 7:00 PM, a nice 12hr day.
Link
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The fact is, I'm still quite new and I get lost or confused, or both very often.
This weekend I intend on cleaning the algae off with a fish net and a turkey baster as suggested, then doing a 40 gallon water change.