So I have a bit of a surprising update:
I was at a UPS store shipping some items when I decided to pop on over to the LFS which has very little in the way of aquarium dry goods let alone saltwater. Out of the blue I asked if they could order a tank, what brands could she get, and if I had a problem with the tank not working (seams) what events would take place?
Well after a little conversation and discovery I had her order me a Perfecto 40Br

. I've given up on Aqueon and have heard of great things with Perfecto tanks nowadays. I am REALLY hoping this tank will be the one that works as I would really like to get the shenanigans done with.
If this tank fails I will just make my own acrylic one, I have all my measurements and details so it would just be a matter of my sending the info to the shop in Florida to get it lasered and sent to me.
Rock:
The Rock is already starting to look like it has life on it. The LR rubble itself started to cycle, and the rocks themselves must have started as I am doing water-changes... and the water I am taking out looks like I pee'd in the bucket. I am fairly confident that the rock will be ready by the month deadline.
Skimmer:
My skimmer that I ordered should be getting here soon. If I remember correctly it should ship May 1st (Even though it was supposedly in stock when I ordered it three weeks ago, the truck was empty.. so a new order had to be done and I chose to wait for it instead of cancelling my order). I am really hoping they get it this time as I would hate to have to wait any longer for something I ordered three weeks ago...
Sand:
It's still in a bin of saltwater and after doing some saltwater changes it's still cludy as heck. It's my fault as I haven't introduced any bacterial colonies yet, but I may wait on that for now... I would hate to seed and culture the sand and then rip it out of the bin and stick it in the main display.. where it might make the tank angry.
My intentions are to start putting residents into the tank about a week or so after the sand and rock go in.
Beginning Livestock:
A week after the sand and rock go into the tank (If everything tests out okay), I will begin with putting in livestock. The first things going in will be the clean up crew. Now while I would have preferred putting some in at a time.. I will most likely buy a clean up crew as a whole (Good pricing and free shipping).