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Originally Posted by ElGuappo
ok so this time i am going to tank my time on this post and try to post more than one question.
are things such as these free?
heater
Plastic canopy w/ light? stock.
better bulbs? for stock light? (guessing NO)
can i use an exhisting 10G with LR / LS? (guessing has to be dry first?)
do the tanks have to remain dry until the 15th or can we add rock sand and water heater filters now?
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You can use the tank you have, but you are correct, you have to start dry, and it has to remain dry till the start date. (this give everyone an equal playing field) This isn't to say that you HAVE to have water in it on the start date, if you are DIYer, and spend 3 weeks rigging up some crazy overflow or something and add water one week before the first "checkpoint" (1st FTS must be posted by Nov 15th with water) That's fine too... Just remember you have 6 months (Oct 15/08-Apr15/09) for your tank to grow out.
Items considered "Free":
- Contest Tank (Stock AGA 5.5G or 10G) Free (sump tanks come out of budget)
- building supplies (eggcrate, stand/canopy materials, plumbing, scrap acrylic)
- Sand
- Live Rock
- Water and Salt
- Food
- Supplements
- Accessories less than $15 (mag floats, tongs, thermometers, etc)
This $15 rule is to allow folks to buy the equipment that makes reef keeping enjoyable without having to deduct it from the budget-- things like a thermometer, glass cleaners, hydrometer, etc, etc, etc. Its not designed so you can wheel and deal and cut corners to get stuff under $15. (not implying anyone is going to do that... Just stating.)
In my mind I think your lighting, filtration (depending what you use), and livestock will be the bulk of most people's budgets and that is the goal since those three things all directly influence each other more than the kind of heater you have in there. We want people to get creative and demonstrate their ability to build a beautiful reef on a limited budget.
Things that come out of your budget:
- Lighting, Bulbs, reflectors, ballasts.. etc
- Livestock / Corals
- Filters/Skimmers/Powerheads
- Sump tanks (should you choose to incorporate one)
Do try and keep receipts for proof of prices in the event that winners are questioned about their budget. Also, its not required, but would be nice to include a tally in your tank journals of what you have spent.
An example of what I mean
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THE LIST
Tank-------------------------------------------free
Delphin 25w ultra compact heater-------------------21.99--(LFS and that's what I paid)
18" Nove xtreme --T5 fixture-----------------------62.99
Subcurrent filter system----------------------------26.19
Coralife digi thermometer ( 6.99 ) -------------------free
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If you have any questions feel free to ask.. Better to ask now and be safe, than to not ask and risk being DQ'd at the end. (I am trying to follow N-Rs model as best as possible and am constantly reffering to their thread).