[aquasalt]

First off, great tanks in TOTM everybody! Make sure you vote if you haven't already!

I didn't want to hijack the this month's Tank Of The Month, so I thought that the following idea would be best suited for a new thread.

I feel that some pictures are better than others and may not do the tanks themselves justice.
Moderators, would it be possible to link each nominee's tank picture to a thread with an extensive review of each nominee's tank? For example, one of the things that I really miss is what is going on behind the scenes of these tanks, in the sump area?

In fact, I think that without a more detailed account of the nomination tanks choosing a winner is nearly frivolous. From what I have read, everyone here is interested in pictures, pictures, and more pictures. This would encourage more members to start their very own build threads, as well as draw in more members to vote!

[e_baer]

I agree. This does sound like a good idea. If anything, at least have the pics link back to their photobucket account so you can view all the pics on your own.

[Mr. Tang]

I love that idea and in fact if you like, I have a build thread here. Look under Reef building and the name is "My 120 build"
Mr. Tang

[aquasalt]

You're one step ahead of me, Mike! In fact your thread is a perfect example of what we would miss if it we only had your TOTM picture to look at. And Elliott I know you have a great thread of all your tanks going as well.

I also remember Wreckdiver had a great site about his 90 gallon from the previous TOTM. It really makes you appreciate all the thought, effort, and money (!) that goes into these aquariums.

I kind of wish everybody had some form of a build thread going...almost like a profile thread.

[R-e-D]

great idea

[thelastmucci]

Well if you win TOTM you have to write an essay about it and it's published in reefbuilders magazine...so some people would get to see the behind the scenes of your setup what you do etc. But I agree that a build thread might work too...I just think that most people don't bother with build threads and just show the FTS.

[aquasalt]

Our systems are comprised of so much more than just the DT, so why not include this? Some of these DT might look great, but who knows what is supporting it without a more in-depth account. Mr. Tang's aquarium is a perfect example. His DT looks great, but seeing his sump area and fish room gave me a much broader picture and and appreciation for it all (not too mention envy!).

[carym]

I was kind of waiting on the official message but here are a couple of my suggestions. Not unlike the one already suggested.

In the TOTM forumn create a forum for Tank nominations, then members that want to submit a nomination can submit in there own thread, I found it very difficult to scan through just a single thread to find all the photo's/information on one person tank.

Next, start with a boilerplate message similar to what is already there but add some additional areas.

On each of these "Highly Suggest" that additional photo's of equipment/setup be included. (For example I would have included pictures of my fishroom but I didn't because the one thread was just too messy).
1) List Equipment
2) Corals
3) Fish
4) Invert's
5) Successes
6) Lesson Learned

Then for the winner they should be more pronounced then what they are, have a photo at the top of the main page with the photo of the winning tank with a link to the nomination thread which hopefully includes a complete writeup on the tank.

Third idea would be to take all of the years winners and have a Tank of the Year winner, but still only allow voting for about a month.

Hope this helps some.

Thanks
Cary

[stacef]

I highly agree with this suggestion by carym!

Then for the winner they should be more pronounced then what they are, have a photo at the top of the main page with the photo of the winning tank with a link to the nomination thread which hopefully includes a complete writeup on the tank

[thelastmucci]

I'm going to agree with both of you. While I personally think it's somewhat of an "honor" to write a writeup of your tank and parameters maybe it would be a good idea to put in a brief description of what you do and possibly any photos that seem relevant...I just hope we aren't micromanging the TOTM

[carym]

And I am not saying that people have to completely writeup everything, or even add photo's of everything. If somebody wanted to only post a FTS and the info that is asked for now, and they got nominated then that would be fine. I find with a lot of people just to provide direction is all it takes.

I agree that I wouldn't want to see it become a dictatorship and say if you don't do it this way you won't be nominated but we are all proud of what we have done and this is a great oppurtunity to show off and who doesn't like to show off...

[Jeremy0322]

Sounds like a great idea to me too.

[thelastmucci]

good call carym

[pogodzib]

I think there are some good ideas posted here. We'll need to get Jack over here and see what he/we can come up with for implementing changes. I don't think it needs to be a must for posting a ton of description about your tank, but it would be very helpful for nominating and voting on tanks.

[aquasalt]

It's all about encouraging more members to provide more detail about their tanks and post more pictures. Carym, you are absolutely correct in that it should not be made mandatory since this would discourage people from getting involved in things like TOTM.

So what do you say, Jack?