Keith,
the skimmer will help. A powerhead is a small pump that can be submerged in the tank. It can be easily hidden by LR and just generates extra water movement. Any LFS will sell them and the smallest one you can get will be best in the Orca.

Regular small water changes will help, but this kind of algae (very redish in colour) is due to the lack of 'flow' around your tank. You need to add a small power head and direct it at the problem area. These tanks are renowned for the lack of flow. As I said improve the flow and regular small water changes and things will revert to normal.

Yes, the water you remove at water change is what you would use to clean out your filter media basket

Your 'ex' LR will not become live again I am afraid. I would look to increase the amount of LR you have if you could and this will filter your tank accordingly this is the stage that you can remove your bio filtration, you will need to replace a fair amount of the dead rock with LR in a tank that size for it to be an effective filtration system.

No nothing to worry about, its almost like it sheds a skin, this happens every few weeks and is natural and I would suggest a good sign

Hey Swanny. You could have polyps, there are many gorgeous varieties, pulsing Xenia, carpet Xenia is also gorgeous and covers very well and mine has doubled in size since I got it, as the pulsing Xenia has also. Sun Corals are hard work mate, but well worth the effort, my specimen is far from the best I have ever seen, however after a lot of work and patience it now looks lovely when it is out. Mushrooms are also easy enough to keep and come in many colours and varieties (a nice example is the melon mushroom) all of the above mentioned will feed on liquid coral food,(except the sun coral)I feed liquid coral food approx every 2 days (about a tenner a bottle). My sun Coral was £18 and all of my other corals were approx £20 each (they are all a decent size and have all doubled in size also)
Hope this helps mate. As you can see from my photos this leaves the tank pretty much stocked and still leaves room for growth.

Blow forcefully down the inlet pipe, this should result in a rush of 'air' into your skimmer and may 'unblock' your problem. Failing that I would strip down the pump...sorry

Explain that in a little more detail Adam

Noreen, as Gill says it could be about to shed its ekoskeleton. Keep your eye on it and dont be surprised to see his shell on the bottom of your tank one morning.

Quote:
Hiya NanoNewbie, welcome to FK. I know what you mean about the stocking level for the Orca, I have one and am fully stocked now, however I am enjoying watching it develop! I think the Red Sea Max is a fantastic starter tank too (I think they retail at about £600?) I have had a good look at one in my LFS, its very well designed. As Adam said, if your wallet (and other half) will allow then you could keep the Orca as well? This is my plan (when finances allow) although I want a bigger tank still! I will keep the orca and use it to propogate corals etc.