Thanks Frolicsome! I'm all for letting an algae cycle complete if the chances of reoccurence are small. So I guess that means no scraping at all for several weeks? That may make trimming plants a bit difficult for awhile. I noticed my filter hoses are pretty crusty, and loaded with brown/black spots and lots of green.

I change some sand every week. You mentioned leeching of the sand. Do you think there might be a way to "prep" new sand? Like soaking it and changing water on the soaking sand? Even once I remove the algae covered sand, rinse it and let it dry, it's never as white as it was new.

I follow EI pretty good. I've missed a day here and there and ended up doses both macro and micro on the same day, but overall I've been pretty consistent. I'll leave dosing out for now. If issues are magnified on a smaller tank, then I'm still doing pretty good!

I really can't turn down my lighting since it's a 36x1 kit, and I've already had to lower it closer to the tank because a few of the more difficult plants where dying. I'll save the light option for more towards the end of my troubleshooting if all else fails.

I guess I need to start pushing the co2 more and see where my limit is. I was going to make a DIY drop checker that I saw from one of of hoppys posts on another forum, but I can't find acrylic tubing at any of my home improvement or hobby stores.

thanks again!