Quick update. Passed the remedial inspections some time ago and have been drywalling.
In the end I did jackhammer the floor for the sink drain. Unlike the poo pipe it was a miserable experience, and I don't really want to get into it too much other than to say "it sucked."
Some pictures from tonight, excuse the mess. There's still a long way to go and I have to empty the room now so I can start sanding.
I had been toying with idea of skinning the stand and canopy with faux rock similar to untamed's tank (although with slate or something different, not the river rock), but schedule coupled with budget concerns (ie., "no money anyhow and this is already taking way too long") and being hit lately with a few really large financial hits, made the decision for me. Simple drywall for the exterior skin it is. There is some debate as to whether I'll keep on with the bar counter as well. I'd like to do it, but as Linda pointed out, it would be the perfect noggin-knocking height for the boys and they don't really need more things with which to create more large bruises on their foreheads. So we'll see who wins that debate, I have something in mind that won't be too intrusive I think.
You can see the light reflector has been taken down; this is in preparation for getting the ceiling done in the tank room when I'll have a set of extra hands to help me with that on the weekend.
Words cannot describe how tiring this build is being right now.