Tank Make Over...
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: Suggestion Box/Recommendations
Forum Description: This is the place to submit recommendations to the WMAS presidency.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31153
Printed Date: June 13 2026 at 9:53am
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Topic: Tank Make Over...
Posted By: Summertop
Subject: Tank Make Over...
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 11:19am
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My sister had this idea and I was wondering the possibility... You've all seen (or heard of) that show about doing a home make over...Where they come in and total re-do a home. Well, what about doing that once or twice a year with someone's tank? It would need to be documented (photographed). For one of the monthly meetings, we could showcase the effort when complete. Show pictures and describe the tank before. Show pictures "in-progress" and talk about what changes were made. Then show the final tank. Certain high cost things, like lights, probably couldn't be changed... But, I think there are people out there just starting out or having problems. The club could come together by donating time, equipment, livestock, etc...everyone comes out on a Saturday (or evening) to re-work the tank. Maybe even do two days if needed... We could let members (only available to paid members) buy raffle tickets if they want this service...or we could let them submit a write up on why they would like the make over and let people vote in a poll on the message board. We could let a LFS sponsor it (amazing advertising possibilities). Have a nice plaque that the recipient could display on the tank. Give a discount for these purchases and we push people to go to this store if they are going to purchase anything for the make over. the store could create a poster showing before, during, after pictures for ALL of their clients to see. Let people know the store is there to help too! I know I would love to donate for a cause like this. I bet many would. We always say we are there to help... ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Replies:
Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 11:40am
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You've got some great ideas there that have been simmering across the street.
------------- Cell 801 860-7333 |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 12:12pm
| Very cool idea! It sounds like fun. |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 12:24pm
I'd be willing to volunteer my 125 to be the guinea pig 
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 12:28pm
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I think you should start a poll.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: Cameron
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 2:10pm
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HELL YEA! ------------- [COLOR="Red"](801)664-4240 |
Posted By: pa_reptileman_4
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 4:01pm
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i'm all for it. ------------- pitiful guppy tank. shane |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 4:08pm
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My work has done that for Extreme Home Makeover. I'd be down to come help build even donate if needed. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 11:49pm
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Im in for it, expecially if my tank gets picked. I wouldn't even mind if I was the third one to win.
------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: Summertop
Date Posted: January 29 2009 at 10:16am
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Wow, this seems to be popular. As I think about it more, I like the idea of having people submit requests, then do a poll to pick one. I think this could be an nice way to get people out and excited about the club during historically slow times (summer time). ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Posted By: dew2loud1
Date Posted: January 29 2009 at 1:08pm
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Pimp My Tank, We could add flip out flatscreens and systems, lol I think its a great idea and would be a great advertising venue for stores and a good way to get good information out to hobbyists. Maybe it would allow us to see less people giving up and getting out of the hobby. I would stay away from the big ticket items like you stated, but it would be easy to help people add a refugium to their sump, redo rock work/remove sand etc... Go over feeding schedules and maintenance plans. Doing skimmer modifications etc would be low cost and helpful as well. Great Idea |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 27 2009 at 8:28am
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The Presidency discussed this last night.
First, we really like the idea of the club and the members all getting together to work on a project like this. Here is a list of concerns and requirements we'd need to solve before we can go for it.
1) We wouldn't want to do this for an individual or for a club member. It was brought up that stacking rock, hanging lights, aquascaping, and all that is what makes the hobby fun. It is a learning hobby, not just a piece of art to sit in the corner. Therefore we'd really be taking away a great experience from the tank owner if we did all that for them.
2) We'd really like to do this for a school, a day care, a children's museum... something like that.
3) After setting up the tank... we're walking away. Therefore we have a requirement that the recipient be prepared to take over the care and maintenance. If this is a school someone better have access all summer long, and they need someone to be the point person to care for the tank. (it would be great if they had a club member who worked there or something like that)
4) The recipient would need to understand the costs to them. We may get a tank donated, we may not. We may get lights donated, we may not. They would also have to be willing to take on the ongoing costs (livestock, salt, new bulbs) after we leave.
If someone has suggestions and nominations for recipients please send them to me.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Summertop
Date Posted: March 05 2009 at 5:36pm
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Hope its alright to comment...after you met on this. Maybe you can bring it up again...Or not. I think schools are hard because of the whole "Summer" issue. Mostly what I was envisioning was someone in the club (paid member) that is having problems. May be they set a new one up and its not going so well, or they had a catastrophic event and could use some help. I am not talking setting/giving a new system out...Just helping someone in a bigger way than just giving advice...Hopefully to keep them in the hobby. Periodically, someone posts on the forum about a tank crash. For example:
I guess my concept was, someone has a problem with their tank and are on the brink of tearing it down and calling it quits...Maybe we could step in and save the day. ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Posted By: drivr08
Date Posted: March 06 2009 at 3:37am
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i dont know about donating time i dont have alot of that but if i can donate corals or fish i would even if i had to buy them for the one getting the make over ------------- loving life as a english teacher kids are what the world is made of |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: March 06 2009 at 5:39pm
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This sounds really cool, but I can also see the political nightmare it could become.
My suggestions:
Like the TV show, the recipient would need to be chosen by the Board from the "undeserving poor" who applied for consideration. Precautions would need to be in place that prevented the long-time stalwarts of the club just scratching each other's backs.
Recipients would need to be from the paid membership rolls. (That's from someone not on those rolls yet, btw)
I would recommend the recipient demonstrate their sincerity by commiting to the project financially at some level. Lighting was mentioned as a financial backbreaker from a volunteer effort. I could see a tank owner fronting the lights for their makeover, for instance.
Having the project sponsored by a LFS is a great idea. A must, IMO. Their benefits and opportunities for being involved were very well stated. As much of the purchased hardware and livestock as is reasonable would need to come from this LFS.
Any approved makeover would need to be well planned. Upgrades and changes would need to be detailed and approved by the recipient. 40 enthusiastic hobbyiest decending on someone's home could be a nightmare, not a dream come true.
The club and members would need to have some protection from retribution/litigation if things went wrong. We've heard the quote that "No good deed goes unpunished." a disclaimer and release written in the proper legalese would be important. A mod gone bad, a death in reef, flood... just cover the bases.
Think about it - the most followed threads are the "build" ones, and this has the potential to manufacture 1-2 of these a year with far-reaching results. It will not be easy to do something like this, but I think it's well worth the effort to put it together. I recommend that the Board try a mock run to work out the bugs and wrinkles before going public, but DO IT. This is really a great idea.
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Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: March 06 2009 at 8:42pm
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Your post just shows what a night mare this could/would become. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: jamzdean
Date Posted: March 08 2009 at 9:12pm
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This doesnt have to be expensive or a nightmare. Sometimes just having people in your home with knowledge and some good ideas is the best fix. We all started as a newb (I am still one of them). I am hoping that I can get a mentor/mentors that will help me with my tank setup and questions. What better way to get members in a home to help out?
When I look at some of the posts I see a lot of potential for some of the tanks (ie. painting the back of the tank to hide all the crap behind the tank, aquascaping, types of corals in the supplied lighting, etc.) Maybe a few dontated frags that are appropriate for the tank/lighting/filtration. I would like to see this more as a boost for some members tanks, not to mention to relieve their frustration. We may need to turn down some tanks that are not adequate for corals, unless they are willing to shell out some of their own clams (even a lot of the reality shows uses the homeowners own money). Maybe the help of the LFS could come into play here.
I understand some of the concerns, but I like that people are throwing great ideas out there. I know that all ideas can't be done, but it sounds like there are some people out there willing to help out with this one. I hope you will re-look at this and not just shoot it down.
Summertop, keep the ideas coming, we all appreciate it.
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Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: March 09 2009 at 8:48pm
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as cool of an idea this is I see lots more bad coming out than good total makeover is a lot to ask if people need help they should be informed to ask and I bet people would help if they asked I bet if I put a post that my sump broke and I need one tonight to fit in my stand and said I didnt have any money someone one would give me one to get by tonight
------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: jpiotrowski
Date Posted: March 10 2009 at 10:34am
| Sounds like a great idea! Yes, like anything else it will have to be well thought out and there is potential for fallout but should that keep the club from doing something cool like this? To help prevent some of your worries Adam, eliminate #2 (therefore and 1) and the rest should fall into place. |
Posted By: Rioreefer
Date Posted: March 11 2009 at 11:56am
 I second Dion on this one!Sounds like it could be more trouble than good, plus maybe its just me but I like ideas from people but I like to be the one to do what I like and not just have "their tank" in my house! JMO ------------- I dont mean to brag but, yeah it's 6ft long. |
Dion Richins wrote:Posted By: jamzdean
Date Posted: March 11 2009 at 1:50pm
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"plus maybe its just me but I like ideas from people but I like to be the one to do what I like and not just have "their tank" in my house!" OK, well put....... Now thats the best argument. |
Posted By: tazman1982
Date Posted: March 12 2009 at 12:39pm
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Sometimes just having people in your home with knowledge and some good ideas is the best fix. We all started as a newb (I am still one of them). I am hoping that I can get a mentor/mentors that will help me with my tank setup and questions. What better way to get members in a home to help out?
Just as an FYI. 95 % of the people on this board will gladly make some time to stop by and give you ANY advise you need. I being one of them.... Don't know all of it ( by any means) but have a pretty good understanding of the basics and a bit of the advanced stuff. and this site (people) gave me most of that knowladge. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
------------- 75 Reef 55 Reef |
Posted By: Summertop
Date Posted: March 12 2009 at 2:14pm
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Based on the comments made here and talking to a few. I agree with the Club Presidency's decision NOT to do this. Now, if any club member wants to take this on for themselves...I'll be there to help. ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: March 12 2009 at 3:51pm
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I agree, Ive never backed out of helping someone in trouble and will give as much info and hands on help that I can. Like Shawn, I'm in for personal help and I think its in the clubs best interest to keep it on a personal level. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Megan&Jason
Date Posted: March 15 2009 at 4:51pm
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you can try it with mine i cant grow sps it all turns brown but i do have all the equipment here ------------- Red sea 650 and two 35g red sea all for sale |
Posted By: Summertop
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 9:51am
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I just wait till mine die...then spray paint them the color I want... Just kidding.  I suggest you post a thread asking for suggestions. I think others might have more input than I can give you. ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Posted By: DWAyotte
Date Posted: May 02 2009 at 12:55pm
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Just an idea after reading all the replies. Possibly a happy medium? What if the poll was held but instead of necessarily going to the winners house and avoiding all the potential issues, there just be a nice sticky featured thread where the tank owner can post pics and frustrations/issues they are having and we help them out specially. this way if people wanted to donate time or whatever else, they have the option to and they can work with the tank owner as not to take away from the whole diy experience and learning. I know lots of you are already willing to do this, so maybe this is just a way to maybe concentrate that willingness to a tank a month or until its resurrected. Just an idea though. I know a lot of this is already going on, but this way it would be featured and potentially get a lot more attention. I think this thread is fantastic though, nothing is cooler than helping out fellow reefers and strengthening friendships/building new ones. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: May 02 2009 at 1:41pm
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Great suggestion! I'll make sure we discuss it at the next pres meeting.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: May 24 2009 at 5:48pm
i agree with this idea. we are here to help. we are here to offer whatever it takes in a time of need. i was helped in my time of need with temperature problems in the move to utah. i am certainly here to help. this means the person would have to be on the forums and know how to get the help needed, and have the desire for it. i would hate to see people that have let their tanks go because they dont care/dont have time and then we come in and fix it up, just to have it fall back apart after their "renewed interest" has worn off. or if they have the interest, but not the money, we would just be prolonging the situation. meaning if it was fixed up, and they didn't have the money to keep adding salt, RODI water, ect, then it would fall back apart. i think we just need to be here as a resource. whether it is just questions and answers, or physically going out to help someone, that is what we are here for. but, if the club decides to do this, i will be there. i will always help the cause. ------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |