THE RULES!
Ok first off. This contest requires you have a digital camera or access to a digital camera at fairly regular intervals during the contest. Welcome to 2005......a contest that requires digital photos. If you don't have a digital camera, think to yourself......."can I borrow a digital camera or cameraphone regularly to get shots of my tank entry when I need them?". If the answer is no, then you won't be able to take part in this contest. Note: I am putting this rule upfront since it applies to both categories.
Oh....One more thing before I get started with the rules for the individual competitions. This contest will begin on October 15th barring huge amounts of public outcry for the contest starting so soon after rules being posted (something tells me this won't be an issue). You will be able to enter your tank for a period of three weeks after the start date of the contest. That allows for around one month past the posting of these rules to get everything well underway. The Pico Contest will run for approximately 6months at the end of which judging will take place by the community here at Nano-Reef.com. There is plenty of time to work out the specifics of the judging. Hopefully it will all be in writing by the time the contest starts or soon thereafter.
Stock/Basic Category Rules
THE TANK
2.5 Gallon AGA or equivalent tank with trim. The dimensions of a standard 2.5 gallon tank are 12"Lx6"Wx8"H. The most common tanks people are going to find are AGA and Perfecto and can be purchased at any Petco or Petsmart or large LFS usually for under $10. Both tanks are nearly identical and are 12"Lx6"Wx8"H. You are welcome to paint the back of your tank black or blue. The rules won't get too particular on the shades of blue, but the standard aqua marine type blue you see on most tanks will be fine.
THE LIGHTING
The maximum amount of standard PC lighting will 18watts. There is currently a thread in this forum dedicated to a Group Buy from NanoCustoms/NanoTuners on a 12" Current-USA 18w Satellite which comes with an 18w 50/50 bulb and Fixture Legs. This group buy light also has a built in white LED moonlight. Thanks to Nanocustoms for offering the discount price on this group buy.
In the stock/basic category, there will be one exception to the above rule and that is for the "screw in" 20Watt PC lights. These screw in pc's are actually lower light output than the group buy PC lighting. I suggest using standard pc lighting for this contest such as the group buy setup since it is much better lighting for your corals, and you will more than likely have much better results in the end.
NO, you can't overdrive your pc bulbs in the basic/stock contest. This contest is about what you can do WITHOUT modified equipment.
POWERHEADS AND HANG ON BACK FILTERS
Participants in the stock contest will be allowed one or the other; must not exceed 160gph. This restriction allows for a broad range of Powerheads and HOB Filters. See manufacturers specs for your particular model to see if it is allowed or not. You may not modify a higher flow HOB or PH to create a flow that is within an acceptable range.
List of some popular powerheads and HOB Filters that are allowed:
Aquaclear 20 (previously known as "mini" or "100") - 100gph
Aquaclear 30 (previously known as "150") - 150gph
Millennium 1000 (aquarium systems) - 90gph
Millennium 2000 (aquarium systems) - 160gph
Penguin 100 - 100gph
Penguin 150 - 150gph
Minijet 404 - 108gph
Minijet 606 - 153gph
Microjet 320 - 73gph
Microjet 450 - 117gph
Penguin 550 - 145gph
HEATERS
Yes. You will be allowed to use a heater in your tank.
AUTO TOPOFFS
Yes. You will be allowed to use an auto topoff system with your entry.
HOODS AND STANDS
Yes! You can create that custom hood/stand of your dreams for the basic/stock contest, but your tank will not be judged on your amazing craftsmenship. Your amazing crafstmenship will however make your tank look nicer wherever it happens to be setup.
OTHER BASIC/STOCK CATEGORY RULES INFORMATION
(answering other questions that have come up: may be updated)
ARE THERMOMETERS LEGAL?
Yes, Thermometers are amongst the legal equipment list.
Can I test my water using test kits (ph, alk, cal, etc) such as Salifert brand?
Yes, all typical Marine Aquaria test kits are legal to use for your tank entry.
Can I use Live Rock from my other tank? I have plenty extra and it will speed my cycling.
Yes, you may use Live Rock from another reef system you have on hand.
Can I stock my basic/stock Pico contest entry with frags or corals from my display tank?
Yes, you are welcome to use Frags from your other display tank. There will be a cutoff when contestants are not allowed to add any more corals to their tanks. This will force contestants to show they are in fact able to maintain and show growth under basic/stock conditions, even if their corals came from a display tank 5 feet away.
Can I dose my tank with nutrients, etc?
You are welcome to dose your tank, although the aim of the stock/basic contest is more in line with the "less is more" theory of Reefkeeping.
How Do I Enter?!
To officially enter this contest you will need to take a photo with an object specified by me on the day the contest begins with in your unfilled tank setup. You will post this information in your own entry thread in the Basic/Stock Contest Forum. Details to come.
Custom Category Rules
THE TANK
Your display tank volume must be 2.5 Gallons or smaller. If you are using a custom built tank, you may need to show images with measuring device of some sort to prove dimensions to the rest of the contestants. You may be asked at different intervals to take photos of your tank with measuring devices and something else in pic to prove current photo. You may not use an 8 gallon tank for your system and seperate it with a "false back" wall. So....Say it with me everyone...."Your display tank volume must be 2.5 gallons or under".
THE SUMP/REFUGIUM SPACE
First off, you are NOT required to utilize a sump for this category. However, if you do, your sump/refugium volume must not be more than 5.5 Gallons. You are welcome to use a custom built sump space or standard tank. This is completely up to the entrant. You will more than likely be asked to take photos of your sump with measuring devices and something else in the pic to prove it is a current photo. Your entire system volume must not exceed 8 Gallons in volume. You may use your sump space for a refugium or sump. You will not be able to fill your display tank or sump space completely to the top. That's good.
THE PLUMBING
Shortest route possible. Keep tanks close. Plumbing should not be used to increase system volume significantly. If it looks like it does, you may be asked to change it.
THE LIGHTING
There is no limitation on this aspect of your tank entry.
POWERHEADS AND HANG ON BACK FILTERS
There is no limitation on this aspect of your tank entry.
AUTO TOPOFFS - THERMOMETERS - HEATERS
There is no limitation on these aspects of your tank entry.
HOODS AND STANDS
Yes! You can create that custom hood/stand of your dreams for the Custom Category contest, but your tank will not be judged on your amazing craftsmenship. Your amazing crafstmenship will however make your tank look nicer wherever it happens to be setup. There are also rumors on the internets that your amazing craftsmenship may win a seperate prize altogether.
How Do I Enter?!
To officially enter this contest you will need to take a photo with an object specified by me on the day the contest begins with in your unfilled tank/sump setup. If you are using a custom tank or sump, please make everyones lives easy by taking photos with a yardstick or ruler next to your custom setup to prove dimensions as clearly as possible. You will post this information in your own entry thread in the Custom Pico Contest Forum. Details to come.
So you made it through the rules?
What are we playing for you ask? Well here is a list of this contest's generous sponsors and the prizes they donated to the Nano-Reef.com Pico Contest! The information on exactly how prizes will be awarded and for what categories will be made available when the contest actually begins or soon thereafter. You can see by the list of prizes, there is alot more than honor to play for here in this contest. On to the prizes!.
Aqua Buys - TSS Digi Lab $125 value (includes continental US shipping)
Sea Crop - $100 Livestock Gift Certificate!
Marine Depot - Two $50 Gift Certicates!
Fraggle Reef $75 Gift Certificate
Thanks once again to our sponsors and to the community here at Nano-Reef.com for making this contest a reality. You now have the rules. The rest is in your hands. Good luck Nano Reefers!