^ Thanks, I'll keep my eye on them.

Just thought I'd post a angle FTS of the tank from tonight.. like how it turned out. Plus the tank has cleared up nicely now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...st/10FTS-1.jpg

Very pretty! I love the black sand!

Looks really good. Really like the rocks you picked out.

Where did the rocks come from?

he got the rock at RC know this because he somehow snuck theat rock on the right out from under my nose.

Did you have a hard time with air clinging to the sand????? i did...

+1 ! Looks fantastic. Can't wait to see it stocked up.

Thanks.. I like it so much I am debating about using it in my 75G.. lol

Thanks!

Snooze you loose... :lol:

As for the sand, I haven't had ANY problems with air/bubbles.. I love the sand actually, it doesn't get lifted up into the water column as easily as the white stuff in my 20G... I'm really impressed actually, never thought I would be "impressed" with sand..

You and me both Scott!! :D

So I'm just trying to figure this all out. I thought the cost of the sump had to be deducted from your budget but you managed to just happen to have the right scrap material for your sump, but either way shouldn't you still have to deduct market value for the glass baffles? Also I didn't see a hand written receipt for that light fixture since you got it for less than 75% new meaning it's a "steal of a deal".

Yeah, I thought the sump had to be deducted....? If not, I can change my costing....:question:

He has on the first post


Overflow & Sump Baffles (Scrap)......... Free
10G Sump Tank................................. $16.99
AquaMedic OR2500 Return Pump......... $65.00


I am not sure when it was added but the cost is there for his sump.

yeah I was taking about the so called "scrap" for baffles, by that reasoning any used equipment I have lying around could be considered "scrap".

i think he got all the glass for the baffles when he cracked the first tank he tried to drill. and yes most anything (building supplies) are considered free.

Dark sand let's poop fly under the radar. Very nice considering how many hours each day you have your nose pressed up against the glass!

So if you break something or part of something it's scrap? I didn't see that in the rules. So you're saying if you build your own sump using "building supplies" it doesn't count towards the budget?? But if buy a sump it does? The way I see it is if he used the other tank for the sump that's two 10 gallon tanks that need to be deducted for the sump, not one.

I'm a little confused where all these in-between the line rules are coming from. And who's exactly is running this contest and calling the shots, you guys need to be on the same page. I would have used a sump if I had known it would not count towards the budget.

The "glass" baffle that you THINK you see are not glass... it is left over acrylic from a viewing/camera box I attempted making 2 months ago.. I never went out and bought new acrylic... My cracked tank is still sitting in the backyard where I left it with all 5 sides intact, cracked, but intact.

You used scrap acrylic on your AIO tank... no different that my acrylic in my sump. I don't see any between the line rules in that respect. My sump cost me just over $80 of my budget, and I have deducted it... Whats your point? When your AIO setup cost you nothing with all your scrap acrylic and broken glass.

An AIO is different, it's part of the display tank which does not count towards the budget, I clarified this with you before I built it. The sump cost is suppose to count towards the budget. So basically you agree that a sump made from scrap will not count towards the budget? That is most certainly reading between the lines. I'm sure others including myself would have liked to know that before. And you only deducted $17 for your sump, last time I checked a return pump isn't a sump.

And where's your receipt for the light fixture? I'm sorry but I don't see why you should be given any special treatment.

The sump tank cost $16.99, baffles were scrap, there is nothing else in the sump, let alone to take cost on. Was right in the rules man... it was discussed prior the contest starting.

Actually, since you refused to provide a pic for me of your SPS, when I REQUESTED one, I see no reason to provide a receipt for you... INSTEAD, I'll "compromise" (that's what you called it in your PM right????) and give you the link to the FS thread I bought it from. http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=21140 Take it or leave it sphelps.

Well first off I can't view that link, so it's not good enough. Second I posted the picture you requested as you threatened to kick me out of the contest despite that I already corrected the budget for the one frag that was slightly bigger than 2". Plus the rules state something about the "honer system" which obviously doesn't apply here anymore. My compromise was charging the full price for the one and only one frag that could potentially be bigger than 2", but I still took the picture as requested anyway. The least you could do is set an example and follow your own rules, you should have known you needed a receipt and hassled someone else for one already so you should provide one, no if ands or buts about it.

And you still keep dancing around that fact that you should be deducting some value for the acrylic used in the sump unless you agree a sump made from scrap does not count towards the budget.

Some of the frags I put in my tank were actually "scraps" accidentally broken off corals during cleaning and fraging other corals so can I take those off my budget?

guys wow relax this is more about haveing fun!!! if it looks like some one is going to town and not claiming it then im sure it will come out but there is no reason to fight like this

I'm all for the honer system and it's all for fun idea but I don't like being harassed, threatened and being required to take pictures with measurements to satisfy some guy on a power trip. I never liked the receipt idea and made that clear earlier but it was perused so I don't see why the pursuer should be excused.

I can't take it anymore! It's "honor system"!

The sump was not built out of scraps. LMAO I bought the tank from the store. The only rule for sumps was to take the cost of the tank

Corals fall under LS, where there is nothing free. So your logic for "Scraps" fails there.

I'll get you a receipt, and have contacted the seller, but it won't be tonight.

And let's get back to the fun part...so far I have had fun. I got to spend some quality time with my Dad that I see very rarely, I got to bring another tank into the house, and I want to see whether it can be done on a tight budget...as I think this will show people what can be done with little cash. Let's have fun! I love seeing the updates that others are doing, and it motivates me.

You see I still don't get it, I never said you built your sump from scrap but by your reasoning it seems you could build one from scrap without deducting from the budget. And you're reading between lines, a "sump tank" doesn't include baffles? Then it's more like a tank, not a sump. I'm not asking for much but I think you should deduct a couple bucks for your baffles, at one point that acrylic cost you something just like an old heater I had lying around but I still deducted 75% of it's cost as per the rules.

Whatever I'm over this but you still have to post a receipt for the lights when you get it as per the rules :lol:

Trust me I beat that to death many times but basically some define the honor system as a system that can be questioned by anyone and if questioned you must provide whatever proof is necessary until the questioner is satisfied.

I know I don't get it either. But the way I see it the person that provides the definition should at least abide by it.

Items on which you scored a "good deal"- If you can provide proof of the price you got, cost will be figured at the actual price you paid. If it was a transaction with a private individual, have them hand-write you a receipt, scan it, and post it on your thread.

I already told you I would. But thanks for the reminder. :razz:

You have to admit this is kinda fun, our views have gone up by like 500 in the last hour, haha.

You guys have a following now....everyone waiting to see what happens next!:lol: But it at least gets it all out there so there is clarity! Someone like me now doesn't have to ask the question...you guys did it all!

But I do see JDigital's thread in the lead for views...now the contest is on!

But scholar's thread views is still kicking our butt! LOL

Noooo, why'd you have mention that now everyone will look at his thread :lol:

HUH...he has 1800 and you have 1963.....guess I better post on his now:biggrin:

with all this fighting and my lack of updates all you guys are catching up to my veiw count ohhh.....

WOAH...Scholar has the winning numbers..holy!

Hmm so my Live Rock has been in for 9-10 days now.. and I haven't seen any spike in Ammonia or Nitrates.. i haven't seen any rise in anything really..:confused:

Mine too...but my rock was all cycled from other tanks, the water was from another established tank and I used live sand...not sure that I will get a cycle unless I force one with a shrimp. Have been trying to decide what to do.....what are you gonna do?

Why force a cycle?

am worried that I haven't got the right bacteria's going as a cycle never happened at all......and ok ok, it just seemed too easy!:redface:

Yea, the Rock I am using was the massive order of Tonga rock that Red Coral brought in a few months ago.. so it had time for LOADS of die off (the store STUNK) and then sat in the tanks for awhile. Then I brought it home tossed it in a black, dark garbage can and cooked it for a few more weeks. The sand was Live Sand.. "No waiting, just add fish"... LOL ya right...

I'm don't want to force a cycle, but would like to know if I am gonna have one seeing as this is a time sensitive tank.. :lol:

I'm with ya, it has just been too easy...and I just want to add stuff NOW as a few others have...I just don't want it to crash and put me behind everyone several weeks