anyone game for a build off?

[Anonymous]

I have not shortage of tanks, but space to put another one is a problem for me now that I think about it. :?

 

[Tackett]

surely you can find space for a 10, on your dresser or something.

 

[Anonymous]

10 gallon tanks just happen to be on sale at Wal-Mart for $8.00....

 

[Anonymous]

I have not shortage of tanks, but space to put another one is a problem for me now that I think about it. :?

Don't be such a weinerdog None of us have room for more tanks. I will have to take down my 20 gallon Q-tank to make a place for a 10g if that is what is decided as tank size. That creates a problem for me before I even start this adventure.

One more rule: no whining allowed!

*pokes Jim with an urchin*

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, I'm Canadian, does that mean my budget allowance can be three times higher than yours? 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I have not shortage of tanks, but space to put another one is a problem for me now that I think about it. :?

Don't be such a weinerdog None of us have room for more tanks. I will have to take down my 20 gallon Q-tank to make a place for a 10g if that is what is decided as tank size. That creates a problem for me before I even start this adventure.

One more rule: no whining allowed!

*pokes Jim with an urchin*

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Ok...

 

[Mihai]

So that means you cannot put in any coral frags!!?? I was in until that rule.

Laura, you can't in the first 4 months. It wouldn't be fair: I can "frag" half of my Blue Tort (yeah right, I wish) and put it in there, and thus be unfair to others... I can also add macroalgae, sponges, etc...

Feel free to add any frags after the first four months...

Regarding the tank size - if you go for a 30gal, then expect to deduct about $40 to $50 for it (even if it sits around). I'm in favor of the 10 gal (with the standard $8 deduction) - this will make the playing field level
and will allow relevant comparisons on solutions, aquascaping, lights, etc.


M.

 

[Anonymous]

not to whine but...

do we need all these rules?

IMO, that is the beauty of a nano tank, money won't buy you "cool".

consider for a moment that there was no financial cap, what is the most one could spend on a ten gallon or less tank?
let them spend if they want, it's not like it will create a winner.

i think what will win the contest will be knowhow and artisitic ability, not skimmers, sumps, money, etc.

i am all for letting people use whatever they want so long as it is not a currently running nano reef.
if we need proof of a valid build we can do a ransom type pic... with a newspaper or something.

i am prepared to spend some money on lighting... however, i do not want to spend money on corals.. they are abundant in mine and my friends' tanks, it seems a waste of my money to buy some.

 

[Len]

We don't need any of these rules, but if we're gonna run a contest, I think something has to be established IMO

 

[Len]

Oh, an idea is to have several "levels", like an open award where it's no holds bar, a budget award for under X amount of dollars, and something in between.

 

[Anonymous]

We don't need any of these rules, but if we're gonna run a contest, I think something has to be established IMO

i agree.

i will throw my current thinking all the way out there...

if there will be multiple levels then i see one that is a 'freestyle under 15G with no sump'.
stand/furniture should not be regarded as part of the tank.
skimmers are acceptable but by no means a necessity as is calcium reactors or kalkwasser reactors.
there should be no refugiums or other remote systems connected.
the contestants intent should be to create a tasteful display in regards to the tanks inhabitants and the tanks general appearance from the outside as well as a detail of the mechanicals inside.
no bonus for tech stuff.

the only photos needed (IMO) would be one shot with the components diassembled and another showing the tank after assembly, filled with SW and rock... then some time later the final two can be taken.
the "ahh" factor will choose the winner. which would be decided by the two final photos, one full tank shot and one mechanical shot.

i see the gallonage as the perfect ceiling for the project(s).
anything else seems to get complicated in a hurry.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree in general with most of Podman's recommendations, but it still will be hard to compete against a person who has a large tank available for frags and stuff. Aquascaping is a big part of the appearance of the tank, but coral population, blending, and placement are a huge factor.

I myself would have a hard time voting for a box-o-rocks tank as opposed to one brimming with colorful zoos and xenia, no matter how well the rocks were 'scaped.

How about a limit (or categories) based on market value of livestock and no limits on parts/pieces. Lighting is gonna blow away some people's budgets if they don't already have some laying around. For instance, I have everything but a ballast for a 250W MH light, but for a person getting a 24in PC retrofit kit, well it can be near or over $100 by itself with bulbs.

And I firmly dissagree with the no refuge idea. How about limiting refuges/sumps to in-tank or HOT ones.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree in general with most of Podman's recommendations, but it still will be hard to compete against a person who has a large tank available for frags and stuff. Aquascaping is a big part of the appearance of the tank, but coral population, blending, and placement are a huge factor.

okay... how about any reefers that are reading this and are currently planning on playing but are concerned about how to aquire corals respond now...

please.

I myself would have a hard time voting for a box-o-rocks tank as opposed to one brimming with colorful zoos and xenia, no matter how well the rocks were 'scaped.

How about a limit (or categories) based on market value of livestock...

that is the complicated part. to me it's easier to just open the gate to anything

...and no limits on parts/pieces.

Lighting is gonna blow away some people's budgets if they don't already have some laying around. For instance, I have everything but a ballast for a 250W MH light, but for a person getting a 24in PC retrofit kit, well it can be near or over $100 by itself with bulbs.

i am sorry but i can't get real concerned with people's budgets. if they are reading this board they likely have a reef tank or are in the process of setting one up. they will be buying lighting and they will be buying corals and if they aren't now, they will be fragging corals.
it's like being concerned with where a musician will get his instrument or something ... or maybe something a little less grand

if anyone thinks i am being an ass about this, LMK.





And I firmly dissagree with the no refuge idea. How about limiting refuges/sumps to in-tank or HOT ones.

an in tank is fine by me.
i was just concerned with keeping the systems small. if they are an internal deal that is okay but the HOT models are debatable and i would like to vote on keeping them out

 

[Anonymous]

How about a limit (or categories) based on market value of livestock and no limits on parts/pieces. Lighting is gonna blow away some people's budgets if they don't already have some laying around. For instance, I have everything but a ballast for a 250W MH light, but for a person getting a 24in PC retrofit kit, well it can be near or over $100 by itself with bulbs.

.

Yeah, but having a MH fixture sitting around isn't going to make your tank look nicer. I can put together a kick-ass tank with only a 32w PC retrofit kit. SPS corals that need such light are not in any way nicer than the critters that need less. I don't see an issue there frankly.


Jim

 

[Anonymous]

As long as the fair market value of the frags is included in the price cap what could be wrong with including them? What's the difference if you "buy" it from your other tank or from someone else's tank?

 

[Anonymous]

How about a limit (or categories) based on market value of livestock and no limits on parts/pieces. Lighting is gonna blow away some people's budgets if they don't already have some laying around. For instance, I have everything but a ballast for a 250W MH light, but for a person getting a 24in PC retrofit kit, well it can be near or over $100 by itself with bulbs.

.

Yeah, but having a MH fixture sitting around isn't going to make your tank look nicer. I can put together a kick-ass tank with only a 32w PC retrofit kit. SPS corals that need such light are not in any way nicer than the critters that need less. I don't see an issue there frankly.


Jim

I agree with Jim on the lighting issue.

 

[Anonymous]

As long as the fair market value of the frags is included in the price cap what could be wrong with including them? What's the difference if you "buy" it from your other tank or from someone else's tank?

That also makes sense to me...

 

[Anonymous]

What is a consensus on the length of time for the contest to run?

IMO, three months isn't a lot of time to have a tank stabilize should someone be using uncured rock, much less adding livestock (we all QT new arrivals, right ). Six would be better, with weekly progess reports?



[/b]

 

[Anonymous]

How about no price cap. However price (including market value for frags) need to be reported as part of the judging. The best tank should be judges on looks and the total cost.

 

[Anonymous]

How about no price cap. However price (including market value for frags) need to be reported as part of the judging. The best tank should be judges on looks and the total cost.

Works for me, and I also like this idea...we can have the best "ghetto" tank award :lol:

Oh, an idea is to have several "levels", like an open award where it's no holds bar, a budget award for under X amount of dollars, and something in between.