DIY Nano/pico build off Any one?

[tigersax7]

Hello every one,

I once saw a Nano/Pico build off on another forum and I thought I would just poll the NMOK at large to see if there is any interest out there?

The idea is simple we would have a competition for the best DIY nano/pico that would be built/stocked over a pre determined time frame say 6 months and at the end of that time frame a winner would be chosen by a pre selected pannel of judges.

The rules are debatible but for now I sujest two catigories a 5-10 gallon nano, and a 1-5 gallon pico. Contestants can enter one or both catigories but no more then 2 entries per house hold. the tanks have to be DIY in other words you bought/stole/barrowed a small tank and had to piece all the compoents to gether to make it work, NO Aqua Pods or Nano qubes, the point is to show how to make a beutiful nano form cheap/common components to show people new to the hobby that you dont have to have a 50+ gallon to have a salt water tank and be sucessful. The winners and runners up can/will win some sort of prizes (the donated type). All contestants will have to post periodic picks of their progress and prices/sources for their equipment. As far as Live stock goes? what ever your tank can have happily live in it, a huge fish in little tank is not happy. To give you an example the mediator for the forum I mentioned built a 10g SPS tank (crazy4acros, you might like this consept). He drilled the main tank and fit it with an in-tank over flow, had a 10g sump with skimmer, a 75w Metal Halide for light, and 400+ gallons/hour for the return pump. So Skies the limit let your imaginations run amok and above all vote in the pole. Thanks

Jason

 

[bpd964]

I'll be starting a 5 gallon nano tonight.. how do we sign up?

 

[tigersax7]

that part is up for debate.....just Pm me with your intentions, ie. plan for that 5 gallon and which catigory you want to be in, and Ill consider that a tenitive rejestration. Thanks for the interest, please vote. thanks

Jason

 

[tigersax7]

bpd964,

BTW I noticed your from Bridgeport, I hate to say this....but this is a New Mexico Reef Club forum So I will let the club decide if we want to have this be nation wide or just for NM residents or just for club members....sorry I should have put that in the origional post.....keep watching and we will see what happens.

Jason

 

[crazy4acros]

I have experimented with nanos before and don't mind doing it again. Cool sounds like fun but like you mentioned rules would have to be determined. Maybe sometime after the holidays? I voted "hmmm....I could be persuaded".

 

[tigersax7]

I agree the contest would likly start after the holidays....like maybe Feb-Mar time frame......thanks for voting....so far one could be persuaded and one No.....

Jason

 

[seesick]

The great american nano reef buildoff. Sounds like a good time to me. I guess you all can start competing for second place. Someone lay down some rules and prepare to lose. Better bring your A game baby!

 

[asfullax]

I'm In. I have been thinking about trying my luck.

To be fair, I think we need to use same / similar frags. I could probibly contribute some purple digitas, shrooms, and maybe my pulsing singularia in Jan /Feb.

I agree that DIY is manditory, and I would say we put a cap of ~$50 not inclusing the tank.

 

[tigersax7]

ok....let the great debate over the rules begin.....

1. DIY is mandatory, NO pre assembled tank set ups" ie. nano cubes or aqua pods."
2. Contestants must pictures and comments to this thread once per week during the competition.
3. Contestants must supply a price/source list for all components used in their entry.
4. No more then $200 can be spent per each entry, this includes tank set up, lights, pumps, live rock, sand and specimens. Essentially every thing that goes into the tank can cost no more then $200.
5. Use of donated specimens and/or used equipment is not allowed.
6. All contestants will need to keep all receipts/invoices related to their entry.
7. In the event an entry is contested due to violation of the rule of this contest the contestant will need to submit a copy of their receipts to the judging panel for review. The Contest judges will make the final ruling in this mater.
8. Only by a unanimous vote by all three judges can a contestant be disqualified from this competition.
9. The judges for this competition well be comprised of 3 volunteers from NMOK (the first will be My Self...need 2 more)
10. Judges may participate in this contest but will not be allowed to compete, be eligible for prizes or judging. Essentially a judge’s entry is purely for show and in no way affect the final outcome of the competition.
11. This competition will run for 6 months from the official start of this contest (TBD).
12. No more then 2 entries per house hold.
13. There will be 2 classes of competion for this event 1-5 gallon pico contest and the 5.1-10 gallon nano competition.
14. All prizes will be donated.
15. The Judges will be responsible for soliciting the prizes.


Let the voting begin...these rules are just my suggestion....use it as a starting point. so we can finalize the rules. Thanks and happy reefing.

Jason

 

[skyfireblaze]

Crap! I really wish I hadn't seen this thread!

I voted "Maybe", knowing that my wife really would kill me. However, I'm starting to reconsider ...

I hate it when I get like this ... Honestly, my favorite part of the hobby is setting up a new tank. I guess that's why I'm tearing mine down right now ...

 

[tigersax7]

All NM Folks are welcome....just dont get yours self killed by yyour other half...or me for that matter....thanks for the vote.

Jason

 

[tigersax7]

So far the voting is showing a good interest for this little project....any more votes? is by the time of the first NMOK meeting in JAN 07 there is a strong enough interest I will bring it to vote at the board meating and later the full club...thanks again....

 

[asfullax]

Hmm, question that I just came across,

are sumps allowed (assuming they are) but does system size include the sump?

ex: If I have a 10 gallon tank and a 5 gallon sump, would that be a 15 gallon system or a 10?

Also,
As for DIY, I assume powerheads, pumps, ballasts and reflectors are excluded. We just can't buy a premade lighting system, right?

 

[tigersax7]

DIY...yes you can buy the pump/lights ect...that would be a bit challenging ifyou have to DIY every thing.....not sure on the sump/fuge question...I guess its up for debate....any one else have an opinion on this matter?

Jason

 

[tigersax7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8684945#post8684945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigersax7
ok....let the great debate over the rules begin.....

1. DIY is mandatory, NO pre assembled tank set ups" ie. nano cubes or aqua pods."
2. Contestants must pictures and comments to this thread once per week during the competition.
3. Contestants must supply a price/source list for all components used in their entry.
4. No more then $200 can be spent per each entry, this includes tank set up, lights, pumps, live rock, sand and specimens. Essentially every thing that goes into the tank can cost no more then $200.
5. Use of donated specimens and/or used equipment is not allowed.
6. All contestants will need to keep all receipts/invoices related to their entry.
7. In the event an entry is contested due to violation of the rule of this contest the contestant will need to submit a copy of their receipts to the judging panel for review. The Contest judges will make the final ruling in this mater.
8. Only by a unanimous vote by all three judges can a contestant be disqualified from this competition.
9. The judges for this competition well be comprised of 3 volunteers from NMOK (the first will be My Self...need 2 more)
10. Judges may participate in this contest but will not be allowed to compete, be eligible for prizes or judging. Essentially a judge’s entry is purely for show and in no way affect the final outcome of the competition.
11. This competition will run for 6 months from the official start of this contest (TBD).
12. No more then 2 entries per house hold.
13. There will be 2 classes of competion for this event 1-5 gallon pico contest and the 5.1-10 gallon nano competition.
14. All prizes will be donated.
15. The Judges will be responsible for soliciting the prizes.


Let the voting begin...these rules are just my suggestion....use it as a starting point. so we can finalize the rules. Thanks and happy reefing.

Jason

the first revision to "The Rules"
(Start Revision)

1. DIY is mandatory, NO pre assembled tank set ups" ie. nano cubes or aqua pods." Equipment such as pumps, lights, reflectors, the TANK (ie... a bare tank with no pre-installed equipment), heaters, and plumbing excessories my be purchased for this contest. It will be the contestants responsibility to record the cost/source of purchased equipment.

(End Revision)

 

[tigersax7]

PLEASE VOTE.....ive noticed that this thread has been viewed 147 time but there is only like 6 votes.....please vote ...you dont even have to post a comment.....the vote will help decide if I will bring this issue to the club in the Jan board meeting....thanks for looking every one.

Jason

 

[israelnajar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8687175#post8687175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asfullax
Hmm, question that I just came across,

are sumps allowed (assuming they are) but does system size include the sump?

ex: If I have a 10 gallon tank and a 5 gallon sump, would that be a 15 gallon system or a 10?

Also,
As for DIY, I assume powerheads, pumps, ballasts and reflectors are excluded. We just can't buy a premade lighting system, right?

I think the sump/fuge should be counted as 1-5 or 5.1-10 gallons. Since the point of a pico/nano IMO is to keep a stable environtment in such a small amount of water. Would it still be a pico if I had a display of 2 gal and a sump of 50 gal? Just a thought.

Also I voted I could be persuaded.

 

[israelnajar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8684945#post8684945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigersax7


4. No more then $200 can be spent per each entry, this includes tank set up, lights, pumps, live rock, sand and specimens. Essentially every thing that goes into the tank can cost no more then $200.
5. Use of donated specimens and/or used equipment is not allowed.

I thought the point of DIY was to save money where you could. I think that donated or used equip should be allowed so long as it is not taken from your main display due to an upgrade. IE I want to upgrade and put tunze in my main display and use my maxijet in my DIY.

Frags should be allowed since again the saving money on DIY point.

How are the projects going to be judeged? Purley DIY? Or does it include livestock?

 

[tigersax7]

The projects will be judges first on overall health of the system then on beauty/diversity of live stock, finaly on over all cost. Bonus points for creativity in the above catigories.

You do bring up a good point about donated equipment/frags ....I will need to come up with the specifics......Good point on the sump....

two rules to consider

1. sumps are allowed but can not have a larger displacement then the main display. Only one sump/fuge per display.

OR

2. Sumps are allowed but the combined water volume can not exceed the max water volume for the class that entry is entered in. For example picos combined volume can not exceed 5 gallons and nanos can not exceed 10 gallons.

 

[israelnajar]

Maybe used and donated frags should be a percentage of what they cost new. Say a 25 - 50% reduction from the new price.