Sounds like you have a possible leak covered as well. I may have to give up the aquarium with a drain unless I bite the bullet and build one. Other option would be to do something like you are doing on a much smaller scale. I have tons of heated basement space but just looking for a tank to play with. Somewhere I can toss a little fish to grow out or maybe as a brood tank for a few SFS, BNM, scuds, etc.