Noisy amplification and low light: photodiode and op-amps question
I read about making a pseudo-ground for the cathode of the photo diode
  and set one up at 1V from the +5V of the breadboard. This doesn’t seem
  to do as the forum post indicated or maybe my gain is so high I need a
  mV or pV pseudo-ground? Not sure. I have also read that choice of Op
  Amp is critical, and I’m not sure I have the right ones for the job
  right now, could this be hindering linear response and ground levels?


The things to know about building these circuits are:
1) Breadbaords aren't going to cut it, this automatically adds more than 10pF to your circuit and way to much inductance, use perf board and solder the components. Or use wire wrapping. 10pF*1e6Ω = 10Hz so if you use a breadboard, 10pF will automatically cut your bandwidth to 10Hz with no gain capacitor.

2) You'll need an amplifier with a lower input bias current than that of what you want to measure. An op amp with an input bias current in the fA range would be appropriate. Input bias current means the current flowing into the opamps + and - terminals. If you want to measure pA keep in mind that even large resistive materials can source pA of current, FR4 (PCB material) drops to 10e8Ω when damp and if you put 1V on the other side of the PCB, you get 1pA of leakage (and offset). Guard traces can be essential.

3) Select an amplifier with a larger open loop gain, and larger bandwidth than you require. Make sure you understand that when you put capacitance and gain, they affect the gain bandwidth product

4) Use two amplifier stages to gain up your signal, if you need 1e9 of gain then gain up the first one with 1e5 and the next one with 1e4 (for example)