First, did you get the acrylic from the guy on Craigs list?
As for cycle, if you use the LR rubble and true base rock or matrix you shouldn't see a cycle what so ever as long as the LR doesn't sit out for long. There would be no die off which would cause you to cycle. On my 125 I used about 30 lbs of LR from my previous tank and added some LR that was given to me. I also added some dead rock. I was a bit worried about the dead rock because it wasn't "Bleached" and had obviously been LR that had just been kept in a bucket with no water. But, I saw no spike whatsoever. Could have been that I had enough LR to absorb it but......
As for the leak, it wouldn't be pretty but you can use JB weld. Make sure it is good and dry before you apply it then put a nice bead of JB weld where the fitting meets the pipe.
As for cycle, if you use the LR rubble and true base rock or matrix you shouldn't see a cycle what so ever as long as the LR doesn't sit out for long. There would be no die off which would cause you to cycle. On my 125 I used about 30 lbs of LR from my previous tank and added some LR that was given to me. I also added some dead rock. I was a bit worried about the dead rock because it wasn't "Bleached" and had obviously been LR that had just been kept in a bucket with no water. But, I saw no spike whatsoever. Could have been that I had enough LR to absorb it but......
As for the leak, it wouldn't be pretty but you can use JB weld. Make sure it is good and dry before you apply it then put a nice bead of JB weld where the fitting meets the pipe.
