So here are my thought on this. the idea of the budget was to level the playing field. I think the budget limits that were set for livestock are more than adequate. the idea of the slush fund was to settle the debate about getting tanks for different prices and saving $ by building a diy vs an AIO vs something else.
One idea was to split tank and equipment and livestock and corals. but if we do that then others (including me) lose our slush fund that we had set aside for livestock or corals (if i had set it aside for equipment it would not change).
Another would be to make ANY leftover in ANY budget move to a slush. In that case why have individual budgets why not just say "limit is $550, GO!"
I vote that because the contest has already started we keep it as is and not make any changes. its not any different than it was when you started the contest. we can then take these ideas and incorporate them into the next contest.
With that being said lets figure out how to make this a club sponsored event. I know Capt. Obvious, who was working on getting prizes, has gotten prize offers if it is. Neptune comes to mind as one that said they would offer something up if it was sponsored.
That is my $0.02. take it or leave it.