, if you can't get a carbon cartridge to fit on your lift tube, get a mesh bag and put some carbon in it, rinse it out, then lay it on top of the sponge. Since water is moving through the sponge, water will then be moving through the carbon bag. HOWEVER, I have this method to be less effective as the carbon cartridge will have all the water flowing through it and the bag only gets whatever section of the sponge the water is flowing through. Since water takes the path of least resisdence, it will do it's best to bypass the bag. 
Not exactly sure what a UTTTTTTT is but any post that contains the words " Big Mess" "Leaked" and "WAS" cannot be about a good thing. Get that garage built quickly so you don't have to be bothered with this kind of thing again. ( Only leaky tanks ) 
It just needs to hold water and have some height. Search plastic holding tank distributors or chemical holding tank companies in your area as well. They may have new containers at a good price or have used food storage containers you can get at a good price. Also check out local Bait & Tackle stores that sell live bait. They may have some unused tanks they want to get rid of as well. The bigger the better and will help grow the fish larger faster.
) as this time, there are a few eggs still on the slate this afternoon. So I went from the single female laying eggs on her own to laying eggs while the male was available (but she beat the crap out of him after he ate the eggs) to both fish being in good shape and the female laying eggs without beating him up. Since there are only about 12 eggs still alive, I am leaving them with the pair to see if they hatch. No loss if they don't, progress if they do (I just want one to hatch ) Might have to throw on some romantic music at night to get her in the mood
