Thanks X, Scouser for your replies...as far as water changes I try and keep religious on every other week (20 gallons)
I try not to over feed my fish, however it's difficult when you have fish that need 2/3 daily feeding.
I've added a power head and adjust ing the flow accordingly.
This tank is about 4 years old, and sat fallow for over a year after loosing interest, kids etc..but now I want to have a successful tank to teach the kids to appreciate our water! Been up and running now for half a year.
bTw I do have my old skimmer, but decided on trying to do it without and increase LR and add refugium...I may be wrong, but think its possible to filter
without a skimmer.
2 go around with Brown algae didn't realize that it could come back after the tank is cycled