From some of the recent input another option could be total unlimited budget with a limited system volume. You get a total of six months, however the last three months are hands off, no livestock or hardware changes. The main challenge in the contest would be developing a sustainable system which is fair for both DIY'ers and purchasers. I think the total system volume would however have to be around 20 gallons or less though, once you start going bigger it gets too easy. The good thing about this is that some will think twice about expensive livestock as there's a bigger risk involved, removal of any livestock after the initial three months will result in immediate disqualification.

In the end you can't satisfy everyone, the person running this contest will have to step in with a final verdict.

wasn't talking about just top off, but for dosing all your nutrents also, a proflux with a 4 pump doser would give you a very constant and stable water chemistry.

Steve

unlimited is a little extream. much simpler to make a couple catagories.

25 gal system volume and under

26 to 50 gal system volume and under

and 51 to 75 gal system volume and under.

then for budget if you insist on having them for hardware come up with a $/gal figure for hardware and a $/gal figure for live stock.

say 20 to 30.00/gal hardware and 15.00/ gal for livestock.

so for the under 25 you would have a total budget of 500 to 750 for hardware and 375 for live stock

for the 26 to 50 you would have 1000 to 1500 for hardware and 750 for live stock

and for the 51 to 75 you would have 1500 to 2250 for hardware and 1125 for live stock.

now these are just example for the amounts. but this would actualy allow an overall "best in show" catagory where you could do just a tank shot and proportionaly the tanks will be even.

Steve

I can't see anyone anyone connecting a profilux and 4 pump dosing to a nano for a contest, that's well over a thousand dollar investment. You might be looking too far into this.

actualy under 800.00, and I would :mrgreen: Automation = less work = me happy and wife happy when I am away :razz:

seriously though If I had the money I would put a set up like that on a 5 gal Nano.. maybe not the proflux but the stand alone doser. expecialy on a tank at work where I won't be in on the weekends.

The intention when I mentioned this was for bigger tanks say 20 gal and up.

Steve

profilux basic starter kit is around $600 plus another $600 for a 4 pump kit, so I'm assuming you're talking about a stand alone dosing kit? Either way not something you would see on a nano contest tank, however I say if someone wants to spend that much on such a tank let them, it still doesn't matter IMO. But if it's that much of a common concern just ban controllers.

No offense to anyone and none intended, but isn't all the fun being slowly ripped out of the whole idea?

nope, you can get the beginner pack proflux, with a 4 pump doser, float levles, chemicles as a package for under 900

it would only be about 1K if you buy the parts seperate.

Quite the deal, where from?

I don't see much point for a discussion thread if you can't simply discuss. Just remember we're all friends here so if you find something offensive I'm sure it's not suppose to be :razz: