You've got yourself a nice CO2 system there, it really is a shame that fluval does come with that nice kink-free hose, I'm not sure if you can with those hoses but if you are able to rig an inline diffuser to work on the 305, you'll achieve greater dissolved CO2 levels.
Great start though.
Also, what are you using as a drop checker? or just gauging off the monitor?
note - "I honestly have never used a ph monitor before because it was out of my price range."