Quick update:
I've moved on from stage 1, diatoms... to... Hooray, stage 2, cyano! We're getting there. I'm actually happy it showed it, all part of the maturation process after a cycle.
Took some top down shots while I was moving coral around the other day. Nothing aquascaped just yet. Just finding a spot for everything as I shut down the old tank.
Here's my purple stylo that made it without any issues.
Also replaced out my Iwaki for a giant Reeflo pump. Went from 1,300 gph to 5,550 gph! Luckily the manifold distributes all of that flow to my other reactors so my DT doesn't get blasted. I was smiling on the inside when I noticed the Austin Aquarium uses the same return pump I use.
STN is only being observed in a couple of SPS now and I think that is residual stress from the low alk (4 dKh... yikes!) and the non-stable temps since I was still in between both tanks. I have now officially pulled the temperature control for the old tank and its on the new tank now since most of my livestock is in that one. Shutdown to the old tank is even more imminent now!