oh man amazing story, I enjoyed it so much "cholo with a gun" lol and im from east los angeles oh funny stuff. you should write a story every week Mr. Nick.
mmmm it depends if you have the time to due it manually go for it....Well i'm busy most of the time work and family so i have a doser it makes life easier in my case.
my clowns do the same thing stay on the top, right beneath the overflow box. they are fine and i'm with everyone you should cover the tank. mine jump twice luckily was there after that i got a lid.