Niagara Saltwater Aquarium Community 4th Annual Coral Contest:

Krakens Cove

New Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Location
Welland, ON
Coral Contest October 20th 2016

Niagara Saltwater Aquarium Community 4th Annual Coral Contest:

Hello again everyone! As reef season quickly approaches we have spent the last year looking for a unique piece in anticipation of this year's up and coming fourth annual coral growing contest.
As is the tradition, we have been able to "step up" the prizes, sponsors, quality, and participation in this event each time that it has been held. This year is no exception; so keep your eyes out for a detailed list of sponsors ranging from your favourite local and regional vendors to well established retail stores on online providers.

The Prizes:

We are currently in the process of finalizing and making physical space for each donated prize; without giving too much away 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be recognized as grand prize winners in the following categories: Length and Colour. We are always happy to expand the prize pool and offer more prizes as they become available. If you would like to donate anything please Contact Rob, Shane or myself and we will gladly add you to the list of sponsors. Expect to see corals, frag packs, coupons, gift certificates and more!
The Rules:

The contest will be held on the Niagara Saltwater Community facebook page, so that participants, vendors and members may quickly and easily review how the contest is going. Voting will occur publically here as well.

1.All contest corals will be available for pickup on the same day (October 20th). If you are unable to pick up your piece, please let us know ASAP so we can keep things moving quickly.

2.Once each participant has obtained their coral, they may place it in any conditions they choose. You are able to feed it, throw it under a metal halide, toss it in the microwave, build an over the top system or whatever else you can possibly think of. There are no rules for how you nurture your entry.

3.ALL participants must take a picture of their coral on the day they receive it (as visual confirmation that you have the correct coral as well as proof that you did not accidentally get a piece that’s 10” larger than everyone else). We understand that life can get busy, we ask that you get your first picture up ASAP, contact us for assistance if necessary.

4.All Contestants must submit a final picture of their coral NO LATER than the LAST DAY of the Contest (January 7th, 2017) at 11:59pm. All Entries received after said time WILL NOT be accepted (unless of course extenuating circumstances apply, such as a strongly delayed start or illness, etc).

5.If you already have the contest coral piece, you are allowed to participate for bragging purposes but will not be eligible to receive a prize (no offence, but we can't rule out foul play in such a circumstance).

6.The original owner/s may participate in the contest but are also ineligible for any prizes for the same reason as Rule 5.

7.If your frag gets abused by a hermit crab to death, rtn’s, develops sentience and takes over San Marcos’ eastern district, or is consumed by yourself, a pet or another competitor; you will be disqualified from the running. Feel free to make up a fantastic story of what happened to land you in such a situation. You will not receive a refund for entry. Like everything else in saltwater, all actions actions have consequences

8.Those who have the nicest colours will get a prize, those who clearly saturated or digitally tampered with their pictures will get nothing (see booby prize). We understand that it is difficult to get realistic pictures with a cellphone, but please know that we will be running all pictures through a metadata check (which tells us where geographically the picture was taken, which camera/cell model was used as well as whether or not the image was processed through a third party digital editing software.) We can also right click the picture and search for it on google to see if it was taken from google images :)

9.ALL prize winners (unless otherwise arranged) are responsible for picking up their prizes. If it so happens that everyone is available on a particular day and time, we can arrange a delivery to a central location otherwise, all costs associated with pick up are at the winner's expense (if you are vacationing in Cuba, we will not pay for your return ticket so that you may claim your prize).

10.If you suspect someone of cheating, please contact us and share you insights. This contest is meant to be fun, and by ways a comparison of how different systems handle the same piece of coral. We would like to maintain a fun and slightly competitive atmosphere and prefer that all accusations and fowl play be handled professionally between only the parties involved.

11.There will be a voting period where all members and participants will be able to vote on who one in each category (growth/colour/morph). All votes cast after the cut off date will not be counted. If no one votes, then no one wins. (Don't be afraid to vote for yourself)

12.Rob, Shane and I will be the tie breakers if there are any ties after the public voting period.

14.Have fun, and feel free to let everyone know how you won!

Previous first place winners:
Shane Szumowski -Niagara 2013
Tim Vanderklok -Niagara 2014
Robin Wilson - Hamilton 2015

The Contest Coral:

One inch frag (give or take a few mm) of acropora:
14585619_10157400940990276_1021063096_o.jpg


Entry Fee:
The cost per entry will be the same as previous years: $5.

Prize categories:
Longest Piece:
1st: $100 Gift certificate to Kraken’s Cove Corals
2nd: Frag pack from Kraken’s Cove Corals
3rd: TBD - Reef Supplies
Most Colour(/s/full/ brightest, not most saturated)
1st: $50 gift certificate - Big Al’s Hamilton
2nd: Zoa Frag pack - In 2 Deep
3rd: $50 gift cetificate- Big Al’s Hamilton

Booby Prizes:

Most Saturated Picture
TBD- Robin Carnage Wilson

Tank Crash during Contest:

A real trophy made of the actual reef rock of a local tank crashing legend. This trophy is passed down from crash after crash showing the resilience of the hobby and the support (as well as light hearted joking) provided by the local reefing community. It is, currently held by Rob Vanderklok.

Tentative start date: October 20, 2015
Tentative Contest Duration: 93 days.
Confirmed end date: January 7, 2017 11:59pm
Pickup Location: 371 Alberta Street, Welland ON.
***LIMITED ENTRY, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE***

FAQ:

Q: Can I cash in my gift vouchers?
A: Yes. For corals, dry goods, or whatever the donor agrees to cash it in for...not actual cash though.

Q: Why are there frag prizes but no colony pieces, I want very large colonies.
A: Different people have different sized tanks, more people have more room for frags than they do for colonies. Most gift certificates will allow you to get a colony anyway.

Q: Is there a refund if I lose?
A: Nope.

Q: Do I have to pay for anything on my date with Steve Sault?
A: No, steve will show you a good time if you show him a good time too.

Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes. But you will not be eligible for any prizes beyond bragging rights as we will be unable to rule out the potential for foul play.

Q: Why isn’t my favourite place to shop part of the sponsor list?
A: We approached many individuals and business to see if they would like to participate,although we have had new sponsors this year, we still respect other agencies rights to remain nonpartisan or anonymous. If you really want to see them on next year's list, speak with them about it and see if they will join next time.

Q: Is this an elaborate rouse to get me to put a highly infected frag into my reef so I would be forced to rebuy everything from the sponsors?
A: No. We have had the mother colony in our tanks without any hiccups. All frags will be free of pests. It is housed in a controlled tank with many pest hunters such as melanurus wrasse, leopard wrasse, hermits, and a grown man with tweezers.

Q: I think someone is cheating, what do I do?
A: Contact one of the Niagara Saltwater Community admins with proof and we will pursue the matter privately out of respect for all parties involved.

Q: I want to cheat, what do I do?
A: Contact one of the Niagara Saltwater Community admins with $20 and we will pursue the matter privately out of respect for all parties involved

Q: I don’t like my prize, what can I do?
A: Trade/sell/donate it through whatever channels you are familiar with. We can get you in touch with other reefers who would happily to take donations.

Q: Why are the Niagara Saltwater Community Admins the tie breakers?
A: Because we have had the piece for a long period of time and have seen it morph, change colour, and grow in different systems, under different lighting and water conditions. We have a decent understanding of what the coral is capable of over the contest duration...not to mention there are 3 of us, odds are a tiebreaking vote would be 2:1, thus allowing a clear winner.

Q: I want to Donate a prize/ join the list of Sponsors, what do I do?
A: Contact one of the Niagara Saltwater Community admins with a description of what you would like to put up as a prize, as well as any particular information you would like shared during the duration of the contest.

RSVP your participation in the comments, first come, first serve

Good luck everyone!
 

Kjmsmith

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Location
Fonthill
Hi, I'm new to this site and I just came across this contest and WOW was I surprised to learn you are in Welland! I must have been living under a rock being in this hobby for 5 years and meanwhile there is a supplier literally minutes away from where I live. Awesome! So, I need to visit your shop very soon as I am after a new addition and I would very much like to participate in this contest. Is it too late to join in?
 

Krakens Cove

New Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Location
Welland, ON
Hi, I'm new to this site and I just came across this contest and WOW was I surprised to learn you are in Welland! I must have been living under a rock being in this hobby for 5 years and meanwhile there is a supplier literally minutes away from where I live. Awesome! So, I need to visit your shop very soon as I am after a new addition and I would very much like to participate in this contest. Is it too late to join in?


Yes, the contest is currently underway, all contest pieces have been claimed. Glad to hear you are getting yourself connected. This hobby tends to be easier with community involvement.
 

Kjmsmith

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Location
Fonthill
Yes, the contest is currently underway, all contest pieces have been claimed. Glad to hear you are getting yourself connected. This hobby tends to be easier with community involvement.
Thanks for the response. Do I just email you to set up a time to come check out your stock or how does that work?
 
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