Please see this Episode (http://www.talkingreef.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39) for all the details

Tell me in 100 words or less why you deserver to be the first TR contest winner. I didn’t want to start off the first contest with normal stuff like photo contests or something; those will come, but not this one. We have a really cool prize, and I want this contest to make you think a bit. So tell my how you have spread the word of the show, contributed to the forums, or helped people out here or other places.

Explain why you deserver a great prize like this from the TalkingReef podcast.

Submit your entry by replying to this post.

Details on the QCWD can be found here:
http://www.3iqventures.com

Here is a text based verison of the rules.

1. Now here are the rules.
2. You must be a registered TalkingReef forum member
3. Your entry MUST be posted in the correct thread (This Thread)
4. Entry’s cannot be edited once they have been posted (unless approved by myself) so make sure its written right the first time.
5. Must be fewer than 100 words.
6. Entries must be posted by 12/31/05 at 11:59 EST to qualify

How do you win

1. I will pick the top 5 entries as long as there are more than 5, which I sure hope their are. In the event that there are less than 5, those five will move on.

2. A poll will be created and all members will vote for the winner of the top five entries

3. Voting will take place from 1/1/06 until 1/8/06, again all votes must be made by 11:59 EST on 1/8 to be counted

4. Each person may only vote once. (yes, you can vote for your own if you choose to.

5. There must be at least 20 total votes for me to call it a fair vote or 5 votes per entry in the event that there are less than 5 entries)

6. In the event that there are not 20 votes, I may extend the voting time, choose a winner my self, or do a different contest. I am doing this to make sure that people get involved, and to make sure that the method of picking a winner is fair for everyone

7. I also reserve the right to cancel the contest if I feel that there are fraudulent voting taking place, or if there are any other dishonest actions occurring

Please do not post questions here, only submissions.
All questions can be posted in This Forum (http://www.talkingreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=15)

Good luck to all
Thank you

For Rob's TalkingReef Contest, I decided to write a poem about how important it is to share knowledge and be involved in a reef community. The more we learn, the better we can take care of these ocean treasures, and in the long run help save the reefs. I named the poem Ocean Voices and used reef "voices" as themes to symbolize each paragraph. The first four lines of the poem describe how peaceful, calm, and relaxing the reefs are to me. When I'm snorkeling over a reef, I forget about everything and I feel complete serenity. Lines 5-8 talks about the excitement of the reefs. All the activities and different variables coming into play make a reef seem like a completely different world. To me a reef is peaceful and exciting. Then when we bring humans into play, that changes the reef. Lines 9-12 represents the destruction our hobby brings into this fragile ecosystem. Lines 13-16 mentions what we can do to help. Footsteps on the boardwalk means that we need to take steps in the right direction by posting and helping on the boards as much as we can. If you are new to reef keeping, then ask questions, otherwise share your knowledge.


Ocean Voices

Delicate leafy sea dragons dancing silently,
Prancing amongst their kingdom, wandering effortlessly.
Empty shells whisper,
Empty shells whisper.

A moray eel peeks about for a snack,
Schooling fish in its path will soon be attacked.
Waves crash against the rocks,
Waves crash against the rocks.

Sustain our madness with reef corruption:
Over harvesting, cyanide, ecosystem destruction.
The ocean roars,
The ocean roars.

Conservation, preservation, and protection help remedy the mess,
Share knowledge, be helpful, promote reef awareness.
Footsteps on the boardwalk,
Footsteps on the boardwalk.

Still voices of the ocean speak calmly to me
"I won't be here long, so please take care of me."

Here I am enjoying heaven...

http://www.talkingreef.com/albums/album05/snorkel.sized.jpg

*ok I'm totally embarrassed now* :oops:

TR has been like a second home for me, & acts as a knowledge base when it comes to Reef hobby. I always try to contribute in many ways like Logo design for the web, Podcast logos & the TR biz cards for Rob. I always try to participate in polls & spread the word on the TR website. The TR website & Rob has been very helpfull in my quest for the ultimate Reef tank!!! (....okay okay...I think my nose is brown enough!!!...LOL)
Happy Holidays to All!!!

-John

I should be the winner of the inaugural TR contest because I have -never- won -anything- on the Internet and therefore I'm due!

Scott.

It’s so important to participate actively in any community that interests you, especially if you take advantage of it’s benefits. That’s why I am a member of my local public radio station and why I signed up for a monthly contribution to Talking Reef.

But whether or not you participate financially, you still play a critical role by asking questions, calling in, entering contests, and promoting the site and show with others.

Do I deserve a prize? Well, if only a few of the hundreds of other members are going to step up, then yes! Do more than lurk!

Hello fellow Reefers :lol:

I've had decent reef tank success, but not enough for me. So I attended the MACNA conference this year, intent on getting the newest and most accurate information. Such great speakers, new items and ideas.
So the last three months I have been buying new pumps, pvc piping/fittings, lighting, skimmer, RO filter, the works. I am set to begin this newest transformation in the next two or three weeks. And I've spent so much money (says the wife) but I haven't gotten a squid yet......so I could really use some help :!:

I believe I should win the TR contest because I am an equipment junky. I think this what drew me into reef tanks. If I was to win, I would test and mod the SCWD and report a review on it. This could turn into a new area for TR as a gadget guy.

I could review and report new reef gadgets, if they where worth the price, if they work at all. In a hobby where you spend $300 for a pipe of acrylic called a skimmer, I would think reviewing products would be worth while to all reefers.