Teresa

I haven't been on the forums in a while. I reviewed all 7 of your youtube videos. You are my hero!! I'm so amazed and impressed with the amount of planning, preparation, and DIY work you've put into this build. Truly inspiring!

Great work!

Good questions with "tank set up" not defined and how to document progress. For instance, we've only taken one picture so far to show that the tank was not wet prior to the January 15th start date. The tank is now wet with live rock a cuc team, but we haven't taken any recent pictures. Do I need to take a picture of the tank today showing that its running to avoid being disqualified?

I am okay with keeping rules as is. Mostly I needed clarification to make sure the slush fund only applied to left over $ in the tank budget. I think this is a good experience to remember for our next contest .

I would love to allow anything extra in any category to go into the slush fund.

Question about slush fund: The rules only mention this fund next to the tank amount. Does the rule also apply for any other category. I.e., if I only spend $50 on livestock, can the remaining $50 go into the slush fund.

Thanks for clarifying.

I personally feel you should have a small trial time with the equip.

Say you do your azoo to hold you over till the ac70. How about you get 1 week with the azoo and if it isnt replaced with the proper/wantedd equip by then the azoo will be deducted. It is then at the users choice to swap to another filter.

I want to see a trial time because 1. I dont know about all the nano equip and want a small chance to see if it is what I like. 2. What happens if the equip you chose is too loud or too dim for your needs and you bought it online? It wouldn't be fair to deduct for something that isnt really going into your tank. (you can't abuse this rule by swaping the azoo out on day 6 then the ac70 on day 6 and go back and forth. Each equip has 7 days, you used 6 on your trial you only have 1 more trial day left. And not allowed o buy tons of filters and swap each on day 6 claiming trial just to expand your budget *ghost budgeting is evil and left for governments*)

I'll wait for others opinions and thoughts.

This sounds very fair to me.

I have a question. Awhile ago I ordered a 4 gallon tank to house my pea puffer and it arrived with a broken base. The retailer kindly sent me a replacement and now I'm thinking about using the original tank for this contest. Its just the bottom glass that's broken so I'm thinking I just need to get a replacement piece. Is it fair to say that this tank cost as much as the repair costs since I probably would have posted this tank for free on the forum otherwise. I'm wanting to see what the contest moderators think is fair in terms of tank costs, before I even attempt the repair.

Are the rules finalized yet? Are we putting a cap on coral spending?

I think we need clarity on the water volume. Display not more than 6 and sump not more than ????. I don't know that it is fair to say sump cannot be more than 1/2 the display, since I might want to have a two gallon display and 5 gallon sump . . ..

This is covered already in the rules...display no larger than 6, sump max of 2.5 (this makes it easy for all to go and get the cheepo all glass 2.5 from any petstore)

Ahh, I misread it. Can we add units to the rules? "display no larger than 6 gallons, sump max of 2.5 gallons." Thanks

Oh yeah, can we also clarify what it means to not establish the tank prior to January 15th. For instance, if I already have a tank, I could have all of the live rock cycling before. I could also have the fish acclimating in a quarantine tank ....For that matter, I could have then entire set up going in quarantine before x-mas. Plus, are we taking into account that its at least a month for a tank to properly cycle unless we pay for additives like Dr. Tim's bacteria (adding to costs, potentially unfair?). Does the entry tank need to be void of water until the 15th of January? Any considerations for beginning with live rock vs dead rock in terms of the cycle?

I think we need clarity on the water volume. Display not more than 6 and sump not more than ????. I don't know that it is fair to say sump cannot be more than 1/2 the display, since I might want to have a two gallon display and 5 gallon sump . . .. Can we have a total volume max for each, or a total over all max. I.e display not to exceed six gallons and total water volume not to exceed 7.5 gallons (since someone already purchased a special order with this amount). I'm not tied to any amounts - but I would like clarity.

I also think there should be a cap on corals. I think its more fair for all. Say I already have an expensive and beautiful chalice that I will frag from my main display. Without a cap, I can use as many of my other corals as I want. Whereas, a new member would have to buy everything from scratch. Since shipping is already not taken off from the total, I think it is more fair to have a cap on corals.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to have feedback on this. Also, is there an entry fee or is that assumed to be the cost of setting up?

does the equipment budget include the cost of the tank itself?

After reading through the 9 page thread, I honestly think it will make things easier and skip a LOT of bickering if we all use the same tank. group buy or whatever, that way everyone starts out at the same spot. in either case no the original cost of the tank is not included. because honestly you could blow the entire 150 on the tank itself (this one for example). I like the idea of using that one or something like it but I also dont like its pricetag.

whereas the JBJ comes in at around $50 1/3 of the cost.

in the spirit of fairness i think using the same tank would save everyone a little.

I am hoping to use things I already have, otherwise I won't be able to participate :/. I'll admit I haven't read the nine page thread on the other site, but I feel like being able to choose the tank is a huge part of the creativity/individuality of the project. I will feel very limited within the confines of a predetermined tank as dimensions, raw materials, and angles all play a huge role in the over all appearance and theme of a marine aquarium.

Bio balls make good cat toys. The more gunk on them the more enticing they are.

I've got an entire bucket full. My cat is gonna love me!!

What kind of sea rods do you have in the middle of the tank?

Do you have a picture of the 250?

lol - I love how you went to buy a tank to "hold" the fish you want to eventually put in your new tank - only to have to purchase a second "holding tank" for the fish that came with the first purchase. Signs of a true reef-a-holic!!!!

That's it?

Looks awesome!! Not sure if you've talked about this yet or not, but can you describe any items you are dosing to help keep the macros and other corals happy?

still looking - new is way more expensive than I thought . . .

ttt

As title says. Needed for 24 gallon tank pumped into a 20 gallon sump. LMK brand, size and asking price.

Thanks,

T

what's the ecosystem they discuss?

Thanks for the mini carpets - I can't wait until they open in my tank

I want some mini carpets!!! However many patterns you have . . . LMK

I know I should test my water parameters, but . . . I primarily rely on natural controllers. I know what each of my corals looks like healthy, so as soon as one looks a little off, I know its time for a water change or other measure. My tanks have survived thus far (2+ years) and I've gotten really good at reading the early signs.