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If you want the tank to actually cycle, you need to add a source of ammonia. I personally would not trust established rock to prevent a cycle once your clowns are in. I would not add the clowns in until to see evidence of the cycle, i.e high ammonia, then high nitrite, then finally high nitrate...
I personally will never own a controller because it introduces a single point of failure. I control my temp with a ranco, have a tunze ATO (which are bullet proof), and use the built in controller in my light. Just my two cents....
+100, you have made more big changes to that tank in a few months than most do in years. I would keep the tank up, and go back to basics (good light, good flow, and stable parameters). I would avoid anymore changes to anything for awhile.
That's north to me haha, and over an hour from cherry hill. Maybe if you still have it in a few weeks I will make the trip. Any scratches on the front glass?