Run with me on this idea gwen, ive been doing some thinking.
personally i would like to see these build-offs emcompass everything in our hobby! even everything that robs topic lists contain!
a running example ok>>>>>>>>> (u still running gwen)
lol
1st example that springs to mind! * protein
skimmers*........we all know the principles of how they work right, (for those who didn't exactly, they would by the end) -but there are so many ways to build them and there are more design approaches than there are public holidays. im no expert, but experimenting with concepts is
diving in alittle futher than just drawing off your previous experiences!
every couple of months or so we organise the post of a new principle to disect, we dont have to build them big scale, just small enough to have a working concept.
im hoping everyone should have enough room for a mini/small tank to experiment on. if not theres always a bucket!

i believe to include
the many we have to make it both affordable and manageable(less intimidating to join in)
if new designs work well, then we all have new knowledge at ur disposal that can be carried over to large scale for our main tanks. who knows, a revolutionary technique could be in the mind of a newbie to the field!
sponsorship is one topic i have to plonder, although global credits is a fantastic idea im not sure if its been done before, so unless we get feed back its going to have to be addressed at some point!
Sourcing direct sponsors in your general zone areas should not be to difficult for someone with a decent pitch.
maybe using the above suggestion as the example, protein
skimmers, GEO make
skimmers, someone can approach the guy and pitch the idea for them to make a working unit as a prize, to the winners specs of course, in exchange for some added advertising of sponsor products through-out the competions. Works for us, drums up futher exposure for the sponsors.
or how about running the idea past rob about expanding within his show, he sets it up with topic info which he has been doing, we do an online work shop with stages. members can add any inputs/trial & errors/effective plans ect ect. and when the threads finnished, lets pick the most relevent information collectively and store it as a more detailed reference to the
diy workshop pages. threads are fine when they are happening but the hassle start when u have to sift though many pages to find what ur after yes?
maybe a crazy idea but i'll chew on it for awhile and see if i can come up with some more ideas. mean while the doors open for suggestions. love for everyone to jump in on this one a bail me out of the deep end!
lol 8-O