I keep the pad that came with the filter in all the time things are growing on it including pods and I use the second chamber to switch out the carbon.
To really get your bubble going don't forget to feed it once in a while. The best time is a little after the lights go out and the bubbles deflate into the tentacles.
Its looking like it's gunna Ohio State. Personally I think they are over rated. It would really be crazy if it was TCU but i don't think that will happen.
The only public aquariums I have been to that I remember was the national, and the one at the Oklahoma city zoo. It's sad but the one at the zoo was better.