There's a setting about light overlapping check on that(but that doesn't seem to stop reactor). Or shine bug not produced light due to other reason. Have you check the last critter patch ? reactor might not work anymore.
For those who forgot what Squelchy Asteroid is. It's similar to terra but you start on oil swamp planet where dirt is barely exist and you need to rely on sluge press for a while.
1 kg is too low. I had dupe miss a meal many time (either distance or food in fridge being reserve for furthest dupe). I played with no mod though. You guys should do a test case and focus on their chores.