Wow! That might have been a case for justifiable homicide. I can't believe someone would do that to another person. Make them drive all that way and then tell them the tank was a leaker. I think you did the right thing by leaving it there though.
Have you ever run across this aquarium manufacturer?
Miracles Aquariums They are in Canada, but built a 225 Starphire tank for one of our reef club members and shipped it to Louisiana. Though the tank was moved to Houston before I ever got to see it in person, I fell in love with it from the pictures he posted. If I ever get another big tank, I hope to get them to build it. This is a pic of a similar tank to the one he got. I like the dual external overflows and the clean look of the trimless tank and the Euro bracing. Also used black silicone, which looked very nice with the trimless tank.
According to our member that got the tank, Miracles was a pleasure to work with and went out of their way to help him get the tank he wanted. They even sent him pics as his tank was being pur together.
You said money was no object.
Once you decide on the size tank you want, I would suggest getting in touch with Paul at
OceansMotions and if you buy one of their products (4 or 8 way valve and/or Sequence pumps), he will help you design your closed loop(s) and recommend everything you need. He was extremely helpful to me.
When you have time, browse through their
Water Pix forum and you can get all sorts of ideas on how to set up your closed loop system.