Should I restart?

[vetteguy53081]

I’ll continue on, fighting the diatoms in the mean time. I have the light on acclimation mode as well.

Acclimation mode meant to be short term. For diatoms, and major outbreaks you may want to consider a three day blackout. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly, they are likely to be able to resettle and have re-growth rates.
To prevent their return, practice good aquarium husbandry by doing regular water changes, keep the substrate clean, don’t overfeed the fish, ensure your skimmer is running at an optimal level and rinse out filter socks and sponges on a regular basis.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

 

[wazzupmac]

I haven’t checked everything yet, but I have my RODI unit hooked up to my 5 gal bucket, and mix it to 1.025 salinity at the same temp as the tank.. I have a magnet on the outside of the tank holding wave maker; but that’s it

This may be a stupid thing to ask but you haven't mentioned your salinity yet. You mentioned adding water that is 1.025 but you shouldn't have to add salt water to compensate for evaporation. When I first started way back when with freshwater, I would test everything but PH and realized after I tested that why I was killing fish. I'm wondering if your salinity just kept rising and got out of control.

 

[Jimbo327]

Ask your LFS if they would test your water. At the minimum, they will test your salinity for you.