Nope, I'm just keeping the tank clean, I'm running fresh water through it evenings only, and then doing a 60-70% water change out at least once a week to get rid of the suspended solids. I did drain it dry last weekend and wiped it down good. I set this up on short notice so I haven't got to the filtration part yet. I do have "mechanical filters" that I have modified and attached to the the bottom of the pick up tubes for the power heads. I have to clean them out every couple of days but I put those on more to keep fish from getting sucked up into the powerheads. Normally the pick up tube is attached to an under gravel filter system in and aquarium so I had put something on the ends to keep the fish out of tubes. Just remember, I'm a newbie at this. I'm thinking cage raised fish off a dock would be a whole lot less work but need to build a dock first, it's on the list.
You're fine; we all had to start somewhere, and I'm sure still learning. Actually having the responsibility of keeping fish alive is a big motivation and the best teacher. Sounds like you're coming along.
Apparently you don't have a very high density of fish as I'd be concerned about a build up of ammonia and nitrites even with your weekly water change. It could suddenly catch up with you as your fish get larger. Are you monitoring ammonia and nitrites?
Technically your system is not an RAS without both bio and mechanical filtration and more reuse of the water, but it sounds like you're doing something right.
Cages are less work, but brushing off algae once a week can be a pain if you have to deal with it.
