2012 nano contest official rules and regulations

[reefwars]

official rules/requirements:
　
total water volume- 20 us gallons
this includes sumps,overflows,tubing....basically anything that holds water connected to your system including hob filters and hob reactors.
its simple, fill a 20g bin and thats your total water to use(evaporation or ato water is not to be included, if you wish to fill a tub or resevoir with FRESH water that is fine and will not count as part of your 20g.
tank has to be a complete fresh start:
the build has to be from complete scratch, you dont need to build the tank your self , you dont need to buy new its up to you where the tank comes from or even what you use as a tank but it is expected to be dry prior to oct15th 2012
updating and record keeping:
throughout the contest there will be a few dates where you will have to update your journal and provide a fulltank shot. whenever new livestock is added or anychanges made in your tank(good or bad) should be wrote down, we want to hear all about the good things you buy and any of the bad things that happen. since this will be viewed by members and all sorts of people alike the more detail you put into your journal the more feedback you will get pictures are going to play a large part in this contest as well , so if you arnt camera savy(like me and my phone:P) then asking a friend to take pics is another option.there will be certain dates where a fts and some close ups need to be posted, failure to follow the deadlines would result in loss of points.
no budget:
there is no budget for the contest , you just have to stay wihin the rules, so if your giant $3500reactor holds 15g then your only gonna be left with 5g to use so think wisely on the tank sizes you all choose and what equipment you decide to run. conserving water counts here:P
　
no borrowing:
you cannot borrow anything from someone to use for the contest this includes livestock or equipment, you must purchase, already own or diy the things you need for your tank. when ever changes are made to your tank you need to note down the changes on the following update thread. cameras are allowed to be borrowed from whomever.
no changing tank sizes:
once the contest starts you cannot change your tank size, leaks can be repaired but if your tiny tank falls apart thats it your out:P if you are doing a custom tank and it breaks before the fill date from cutting or whatever else you can replace the tank as long as its the same as the one that broke and you can have it filled by the filldate this rule applys the the actual display aquarium only. modifications can be made throughout the contest on all livestock and equipment as long as they are logged on the next required update
　
no tie ins:
the system you are creating can not be tied in or plumbed to another existing system what so ever, your nano tank and its sump/contents have to be its own self running system.this does not include your auto top off resevoir,an ato resevoir can be plumbed to your system
　
　

points!!!
the contest will run on a point system where a handfull of anonymous judges will watch the contest and read through the journals and award points per category.
here is how the point system goes:
　
design and planning- 20pts-
judges are going to look at how well you pre planned your nano and how much thought you put into your tank throughout the contest. your tanks layout and stock list are going to be monitored so put some thought into what you want to achive:P
sustainability-20pts-
how well your little ecosytem does will be looked at as a whole, did you lose much livestock, did your plan go as "planned" that sorta stuff. having animals starve to death in your little tank will get you less points then the person who planned the right livestock for their little tanks and had them survive.....no need to kill anything folks:P
　
participation and record keeping-20pts-
did you provide updates on the required dates and did you log all mishaps and adventures, if you spent alot of time on your little build and keep good records points are coming your way:P
diversity-20pts-
how much diversity is in your tank did you create a full ecosytem with many types of critteres that thrive as a whole or did you spaz out for the kenya trees?? points for diversity!!
public poll-10pts-
all the cotestants tanks will be placed in a poll for canreef members and users to vote on as their favorite at the end of the contest. (good time to set up 34 accounts:P)
phtography-10pts-
judges will look at your pictures and fulltank shots and award points on your photog skillz!!