Yes, I went back to the airstone. I'd like to try to run the tank without any filtration, just aeration, if possible. I'm curious about whether the bacteria in the live rock will be sufficient to maintain low nitrites/nitrates if the bioload on the tank is low.
I've read that lots of bubbles can mean lots of nuisance algae, so I may have to back it down a bit...see if I can find a less powerful small pump among my cast-offs.
OTOH, strong current and turbulence is good in a reef tank, right? Is it just the bubbles that may be the problem or the current itself?
Oh, btw, I've been searching marine worm databases and have yet to find anything that matches---or even comes close to matching my critters. Is it possible they aren't worms? (But what else looks that wormy??) Some marine worms eat with a probosis...which might account for the disgusting-looking appendage on Hitchhiker #2. I'm going to post the photos over in the hitchhikers forum.
I'd appreciate it if you could illuminate further on the whole bubbles/current thing. Thanks!