Silicone.- Use 100% Silicone not Silicone II.
The CC could be the cause of the elevated Nitrates, but I would check other areas like, over feeding, water changes, etc first, before jumping to conclusions. Yes, my opinion is, DSB's are better. But, this is in real debate right now an what is best. 
I would use the Egg crate and PVC, that way if a rock slips from your hand and hits it it won't make broken glass in the tank either. Although, Base rock would be better.
HTH
__________________
-Troy
180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer.
Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff.
DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!!
Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!! |