Sorry you had to go through all that sp13126, but it anything it is a good lesson to learn and a good lesson to share with everyone else. When building a new tank (even one without a water feature) you need to do a water test and let it sit in the tank for 48 hours minimum. If a leak is found and it is on a new tank you can either return the tank for a different one or repair the leak yourself.

The rebuild looks awesome btw!! Got any other plants in mind? Good find on the light