Hello patient ones...
Well, I intended to post this update earlier this afternoon, but I've had a few curve balls thrown my way, so things are a bit behind schedule.
First my help never showed up this morning...
I finally called another buddy of mine to give me hand about 12:30, and tried to do whatever else I could while I was waiting.
I also had to take '1' trip to Lowes to get some plumbing parts (that's usually the one that gets ya...
)... I had forgotten a 2" tee, plus I needed a replacement 2"x1-1/2" reducer bushing, and a 2" male adapter... the bushing and adapter were because I had glued a reducer bushing in my other 2" male adapter before realizing it was only 1-1/4"... so it looks that if I ever want to reduce the size of my standpipe by 1/4" I'll have the connector for it...
Anyway, we're pretty close to getting water in, and I'm going to start wiring up the canopy here after dinner.
And without further ado, here's the first pic. This is the old reef removed, and the space just waiting for the new tank.