CaptiveReefs Nano Contests

Spending Limit: The spending limit on corals is $400. Corals purchased fromCR sponsors count half toward the spending limit. For example if you spend $100 from non-sponsors, you can spend another $600 from sponsors and will have spent the $400 limit. You must post a receipt with a picture of the stock to allow for others to see what you have spent. Receipts will be necessary to prove source of purchase for corals that are purchased from sponsors. If you are also participating in the grow out contest, you can put those in your nano and it will count $40 against your spending limit.

On hand Livestock: You may stock your nano with livestock you already own from another system. You need to clearly identify which pieces you are adding and document the size. You will also need to post a market price for the piece which will count against the $400 spending cap. Live stock obtained “free” from other sources also is subject to this requirement. A generic price guide is presented below to help determine value of livestock.

Temporarily Exceeding Spending Limit:You may temporarily exceed your limit if for some reason you need to move stock from another system to your nano or use it for a quarantine tank. This will not automatically disqualify you from the contest. However, by April 30 (one month before the end of the contest) you must show that you haven’t spent more than the contest limit based on the purchase price or determined value when the coral was added to the tank. In other words if you spent $20 on a colony of zoas and it doubles in size by April 30, this colony will still count as $20 toward your limit.

Trades: You may trade any corals in your tank with other CR members. All trades will be public knowledge, this means that after the trade you must make a post stating who you traded with, what came out of your nano and what you got in return. Trades from your nano tank won’t count toward the contest spending cap.

Fish and Inverts: You may add any other non-coral livestock you wish to your tank. These additions must be documented on your build thread. The last date any livestock may be added is April 30, 2012. In general, Fish and other livestock do not count toward the coral spending limit. However, anemones and clams (and other sessile invertebrates..e.g., sea apples, filter feeding cucumbers, etc.) count toward the spending limit as they are more coral-like than fish-like….crabs, shrimp, snails, and starfish would not count toward the coral budget.

Macro Algae: If your macro algae is in your sump or fuge, then it is part of the filtration system and not counted toward the livestock spending limit. If macro algae is in your display, it is considered part of the aesthetics of the display and is counted toward the spending limit.

Lost Livestock: Should any stock die, this should also be noted in the build thread. Excessive deaths would likely impact winning the Overall Best Nano Category. As the goal here is to build a healthy sustainable nano tank. Deaths cannot be deducted from the spending limit.

• You may start your construction and cycle at any time. You may not stock the tank with corals until January 9, 2012. To insure this on January 9, 2012 at 12AM EST, an announcement will be made about an item that must be placed in the tank and photographed showing the tank is not yet stocked. This picture must be the first photo in each members contest thread. It will be a common item e.g., canned food, a key word written on paper and placed in the bottom of the tank, each member giving a thumbs up next to the tank, etc.

• You may also start with cured rock if desired.

• Tank stocking may begin on January 9, 2012.

• You are welcome to start on the contest up to Febraury 27, 2012.

• Each participant will need to start their own build thread in thecontest forum. At a minimum each participant is REQUIRED to update their contest thread at least 2 times a month WITH pictures, updates can be whenever the member would like. The update must be made at least 7 days apart. Participants are encouraged to post updates more often if they would like.

• No additional livestock can be added within 30 days of the contest end, April 30, 2012.