DIY Nano/pico build off Any one?

[skyfireblaze]

I was thinking that it might be good to have the rules such that the main display volume determine the entry class. If you want to have a sump or fuge, then I think that's okay as long as the water volume of sump/fuge setup is less than or equal to half of the display. Maybe it would work to say that the total water capacity (when operating) of all water containing vessels attached to the display must be less than half of the main tank. I say "when operating" so that if you wanted to use a 5 gal bucket, but only had 1 gal of water in it it'd be okay ...`

If you had a sump and a HOB powerfilter/fuge then both would contribute to the sump total.

Make sense?

And I'm not sure about how I feel on the use of old equipment. I mean assume I had an old MH setup laying around. Would it be fair to use the MH just 'cause I had it laying around? I guess it depends on what the purpose of the constest is. I don't know ... Perhaps you could use the old equipment you had, but a reduced amount of its estimated value would still count towards the tank's total price. Afterall, it the price limit on what you'd be allowed to spend now, or is it on the TOTAL cost of the tank regardless of when the $ was spent? ...

 

[israelnajar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8703092#post8703092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xchrisjb

And I'm not sure about how I feel on the use of old equipment. I mean assume I had an old MH setup laying around. Would it be fair to use the MH just 'cause I had it laying around?

I say yes since the contest appears that it is going to be judged by health of livestock and total cost. Not on equipment used.

I think that pure DIY should also be considered as well. So if two finalists had the same exact setup but one built the stand, canopy, lighting system, rock, fabricated their own tank. As opposed to just having that stuff lying around. The more DIY intensive project should win. Just my opinion.

 

[tigersax7]

Good Comments Guys, A lot to think about, keep in mind the rules are in no way final.

Now as far as DIY goes....I personaly think all equipment should be New or at the very least used but purchasd from some one for a good price. The origional inten for this competition is to show people new to the hobby or people thinking of getting into it that you dont have to spend thousands of dollars to have a reef/FO tank, and to give them some ideas. Most of us who have been in this hobby for any length of time start to accumilate extra stuff....I personal could through together a 10 gallon nano w/ five gallon fuge complete with LR, Pumps, a 150w metal Halide over the main display, a 32w PC over the fuge, and fully stock it with fish and coral, just from extra stuff I have laying arround. All I would have to buy is wood for the stand/canopy a few fans and maby one pump.....I imagine most of us have similar lists. Doing it this way dosent show those who may be new or want to get into the hobby what they can get with a little money and creativity.
I leave it up for debate on the issue of used/donated/found equipment. But My position is no. Besides not allowing the use of donated/used/found/extra equipment will level the playing field and make the competition fair for all who decide to enter. We may wnat to allow the uses of purchased used equipment so long as the contestant can show a valid recipt with a fair price for the item....for example paying your budy $10 for a used 150w light set up isent a fair price compaired to thoses who may have to buy a new one. ...make sence? well let the debate continue...remember every one has a voice here. thanks again

Jason

 

[asfullax]

I think the idea of "valued" equipment is good, most of the pumps and lights I have will be my backup stuff, but they are no where near "great"

one idea, when it starts, all equipment is documented and "e-bay" values for similar equipment is assigned to the setup (after all, these are nano and pico tanks, there shouldent be too much ) that total can't exceed $200.

As for the rest of the comp. that is just tallied as we go on.

Oh yeah, I think the same should go with frags. Any frags received or used for free should be written up based on their reefcentral prices WITHOUT shipping. So, a monti cap usually goes for around $10, if I take a 1" from from my system for the nano, that should count as $10.

If I wanted to add my fire and ice zoa, one polyp would count as $15. make sense?

I'm excited, this is gonna be fun!

 

[gregrunningbird]

Thanks for the inspiration and excitement this discussion has caused!

I view frequently and finally voted.

Could two of us get together and put forth ONE tank as a group effort?

Regarding the new/donated category, I look forward to futher discussion from those who will participate. I understand that one could put together a high-end MH system with beautiful frags from his own aquarium; and yet others might have difficulty putting the basic components, not to mention the livestock, together for under 200 bucks! I would be in the latter category, and yet am excited to see what a high end pico or nano could do! Perhaps we could all be lenient here and 1) try and stay under 200 bucks for all new tank equip and livestock, 2) show the true cost, whether donated or not to the judges, and 3) let the judges have final say regarding the fairness/balance of true cost verses final tank.

Just my 2 cents. more later!

 

[tigersax7]

Good comments guts keepem comming.....I think Alex's Idea of using EBay cost w/ Shipping might work...After all a person new to the hobby who want to set up a small tank may or may nothave friensds in the hobby and if it were me e-bay would be my first choice for used equipment. Well thats all for now, Anyone else have any thoughts on the matter?...also Anyone willing to be a judge? PM me if you are...thanks and happy reefing.


Jason

 

[asfullax]

This is just a wild idea, mostly because I would love to see what can be done with top end equipment, but...

How about a third class, 0-10 gallon unlimited price cap, and open this up to the local fish stores? SRC, Coral Island, Emperor, etc... I would love to see the results, and I think it COULD create a friendly competition. The judging would be based entirely on function, looks, creativity, diversity, and of course habitat healthiness.

Of course, according to the bylaws, no prizes could be awarded to any LFS, but I would think that many of us would be visiting more often to see the progress lol.

Anyway,

I'm excited, and ready for the start........

 

[israelnajar]

That sounds like a good idea to me. But why have an unlimited cost and a limited tank. Why not have an unlimited funds and any amount of tank size the LFS wanted?

No one has an opinion on teams for the contest?

 

[asfullax]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

I would say that teams are fine as long as the single project still conforms to the same rules. example: 2 people still have a $200 cap.

 

[gregrunningbird]

Your idea of a third grouping is a great idea, I feel. It will allow those with the means to really show their stuff!

As for the unlimited size and cost, the LFSs already have this at their disposal...if they aren't already trying to put their best foot forward to show their skills, a local reef club competition won't encourage them!

However, the LFSs have few, if any nano and picos on display, and a competition with them might be very interesting...AND teach us all a thing or two about small set-ups!

 

[tigersax7]

A lot of good ideas....I will consider the LFS/Unlimited Funds idea...Im not so sure about it yet though...I think its funner to see what can be done with reisrictions. Personaly I have always found that I am most creative when I have very strict guidlines, or in other words when the imagination is allowed to run wild with out restrictions it can some time s be more of a hinderance then a blessing. Just my thoughts, any others? for now Happy Reefing.

Jason

 

[tigersax7]

I think Greg is right....Nearly Ever LFS I have ever seen has at least one display tank that shows there skill in the hobby...however I have seen very few nano displays...we could invite them to pertisipate but like judges their enteries will not count against other contestants and they will not be allowed to recieve a prize....think of it as a sorta sub contest where the only prize is reconigition and mady a place on the NMOK website....any thoughts on the mater?

Jason

 

[israelnajar]

Yes and since they are judges they will probably be able to round up better prizes than us members as a judge.

Greg brings up a good point about LFS not having such small setups.

I have seen one LFS in Lubbock with a nano that was about a liter or so of water. It was sweet. I know it was running for at least 2 months since I visited once every two weeks for two months.

 

[tigersax7]

I never considerede having people from an LFS Judge the competion...but its a thought? What do you Guys think? we could have some of the judges be from our LFS's and some from the club? or have all the judges be from our LFS's or all From the Club? Any thoughts people?

Jason

 

[gregrunningbird]

From my beginners point of view...having one judge from a LFS, if they were so interested, would behoove all of us! Not only would it show direct interest in NMOK activities, but it would allow input from, lets face it, the primary contacts most of us have for all reef questions in this area!

On the other hand, with only a few judge spots open, a LFS might feel left out if not asked to judge.

Short straws or coin toss might help here, but I am sure that anyone NOT selected would happily give input via these RC threads anyway! My vote would be TIGERSAX, one LFS contact, and one person from NMOK.

I'd like to focus, too, on more interest in competitors via this thread...of those who have voted, only 1 certainly, 6 maybes...the rest? Further, with so few, one category might only have 1 or 2 people competing anyway! Let's hear it y'all!!! VOTE and give input on this, your opportunity to learn or perfect nano or pico reefing!!!

Any ideas? I hope to drum up more interest at the next NMOK meeting.

 

[asfullax]

Just so everybody knows, now that I have the wifes approvial (and she may possibly enter in one herself) I am a POSITIVE YES. and will be going for a nano <$200 total over 6 months. I know it can be done!

 

[gregrunningbird]

DIY categories

DIY categories

When I look over this thread, seems to me like there are two categories of people who are writing responses and who will compete in this build-off. Those categories appear to be builders of 1) nano OR pico tanks under 200 bucks and 2) nano OR pico tanks OVER 200 bucks...sky is the limit!

Since those with equipment and livestock stockpiles HAVE the option of entering one OR BOTH possible categories, perhaps these options should be considered.

This competition was not my idea, nor am I attempting to change the original idea of building small tanks for under 200 bucks and HAVE FUN! However, I would like to suggest to those who will enter the competition and/or judge it to discuss this option before all rules are set in stone and the competition begins!

 

[GreenUku]

I'd be willing to judge since I'm not planning to enter the contest and am a nano keeper.

I agree that categories would be good, like Best Budget Nano, Best DIY Nano, Best Aesthetics, Best Overall. That would get around some of the debate about the rules.

I also think standard 10 gallons would be a good even starting point (and maybe 20 total gallons with sump/refugium).

Here's some links to the Reefs.org Nano build off from last year:

Build-off forum with rules, entries, etc.:

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=80)

Poll to select the winner, with links to the finalists' tanks:

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=971660

 

[GreenUku]

and here's a link to Nano-reefs.com's current nano build-off:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showforum=61

 

[tigersax7]

Ok... I know I havent been on in a while but be watching over the next week for the official Rules and possible start dates....I will be brining up theses things in the next NMOK Board meeting, And then possibly to a vote at the Next club meeting. Thanks for all the interest.

Jason