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I'm surprised they didn't go with a ginormaous fluidized sandbed filter instead of the biotower. Looking at the pictures, the skimmer isn't rated for that much flow, but will still be very effective imo. IIRC the Aquarium's skimmers are inline either.
Most of the time curators won't to my...
Yes pods will eat poop and there is a good chance that you received some stars with the new macro.
The stars, shrimp and candycane will eat the pods.
I wouldn't worry about a tank crash. If you'd like you can get a small bottle of phyto and feed 1 or 2 times a week.
If having the fixture overlap wouldn't be an issue for you a 24" T5 would be a better option. IIRC only Current USA makes 18" T5 bulbs and they are good (with reflectors) but not great.
$55 24" Nova Extreme 2x24 Watt T5HO
$175 24" Nova Extreme 4x24 watt T5HO
would both be great options.
Just the wheel. A HOB is a great place to put Chemi-pure and the like. Also you are correct about the surface flow.
Chemipure, carbon, Phos-something (I can't remember the name of the product :p ) all will work inside of filter. You could let the HOB run empty too. Especially since the tank is...
Congratulations on the nano. With that lighting zoas, mushrooms and a hammer or frogspawn can be easily kept. I currently have an 80W fixture over my tall tank.
PC's bulblife is it's biggest knock imo in nano applications. At around 6 months keep an eye out for an algae breakout. Chances are...
1) My personal preference is mud for mangroves, sand for the rest. I'm moving towards mud if roots, but am still researching more about macroalgea root systems.
2) Yes and many. (I'll edited this later with a macroalgea site)
3) They'll come naturally from in the tank. Getting a cup of sand or...
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954&view=findpost&p=1950001
Recommended reading. I linked directly to the PAR posts for 24"T5s. There's another good thread on RC, but I'm too lazy to find it.
Alright now that the quick warning is out of the way...
Once you remove the light from the tank, take a look at the power cables for signs of damage (blackening, melting, scorch marks, etc)
Do you have a GFCI outlet on the tank? If not I would add one. You surge protector may have gone bad as...