Suggestion: More contests

[*Ci*]

I enjoy things like contests, tank of the month, photo of the month/week, maybe even challenges like the following suggestions from Ai.
The Bonsai forum that I frequent has many challages/contests, some lasting many years, as it is such a slow hobby, growing and developing tiny trees. It is a lot of fun and the contests are well attended - not highly competitive, though sometimes and individual or company will donate a prize or two for the winners. Sometimes there are judges, sometimes voting by the members.

Anyway, there are a lot of ideas here, some of which could surely be modified to suit our group, I would think:

1. Themed Aquascaping Contest
Time Limit: 2-4 weeks

• Goal: Participants design an aquarium based on a specific theme (e.g., "Nature's Chaos," "Minimalist Zen," or "Fantasy World").
• Judging Criteria: Creativity, execution, and overall aesthetics (members vote or judges decide).
• Submission: Photos or videos of the completed tank.

2. Best DIY Aquarium Project
Time Limit: 2-3 weeks

• Goal: Members create and share a DIY aquarium-related project, such as a custom filter, background, or cave.
• Judging Criteria: Creativity, functionality, and usefulness.
• Submission: Step-by-step photos or a video tutorial.

3. Aquatic Photography Challenge
Time Limit: 2 weeks

• Goal: Capture and submit the best aquarium-related photo based on a specific theme (e.g., "Fish in Action," "Underwater Jungle," or "Macro Close-up").
• Judging Criteria: Image quality, creativity, and composition.
• Submission: One high-quality photo per participant.

4. “Ugly Tank to Stunning Tank” Makeover
Time Limit: 4 weeks

• Goal: Members take a neglected or plain aquarium and transform it into something beautiful.
• Judging Criteria: Best improvement in appearance, creativity, and execution.
• Submission: Before & after photos or a short video.

5. Scavenger Hunt (Aquarium Edition)
Time Limit: 2-3 weeks

• Goal: Members find and photograph a list of specific aquarium-related items, such as:
  • A fish yawning
  • A snail on the glass
  • A fish and its reflection
  • A bubble caught on a plant
  • An unusual fish behavior
• Judging Criteria: Who completes the most challenges with the best images.
• Submission: A gallery of all found items.

6. Best Tank Journal / Storytelling Challenge
Time Limit: 4 weeks

• Goal: Members create an ongoing journal or story about their tank, fish, or aquascaping project.
• Judging Criteria: Most engaging, well-documented, or inspiring journey.
• Submission: Blog-style updates with photos and text.

7. Plant Growth Challenge
Time Limit: 4-8 weeks

• Goal: Members start with the same plant species (e.g., Rotala, Monte Carlo, or Java Fern) and see who gets the most growth in the set timeframe.
• Judging Criteria: Plant health, vibrancy, and size difference.
• Submission: Initial and final comparison photos with care details (lighting, CO₂, fertilizers).

8. Low-Tech vs. High-Tech Aquascape Showdown
Time Limit: 6 weeks

• Goal: Members create or showcase either a low-tech (no CO₂, minimal fertilization) or high-tech (CO₂, intense lighting, advanced ferts) planted tank and compare results.
• Judging Criteria: Best plant growth, overall look, and maintenance difficulty.
• Submission: Photos/videos with explanations of setup choices.

8. The “No Trim” Challenge
Time Limit: 6 weeks

• Goal: Members do not trim their aquascape for the challenge period, allowing nature to take over.
• Judging Criteria: The best "natural jungle" effect without looking overgrown.
• Submission: Start and end photos showing how the scape evolved.

9. Rare Plant Showcase Challenge
Time Limit: 4 weeks

• Goal: Members grow and showcase a rare or unique plant species (e.g., Bucephalandra, rare Crypts, unusual mosses).
• Judging Criteria: Plant health, vibrancy, and best presentation.
• Submission: A series of photos or a video showing progression.

10. "Nano Tank" Planted Challenge
Time Limit: 6 weeks

• Goal: Members design and maintain a nano planted tank (under 5 gallons).
• Judging Criteria: Balance of plant choices, hardscape integration, and overall aesthetic.
• Submission: Before & after photos and details on plant selection.

11. Biotope Planted Tank Challenge
Time Limit: 4-6 weeks

• Goal: Members create a planted tank that mimics a specific natural habitat (e.g., Amazon River, Southeast Asian forest stream).
• Judging Criteria: Authenticity, plant choices, and execution.
• Submission: Photos and description of how it matches the real habitat.

12. "One Plant, One Month" Challenge
Time Limit: 4 weeks

• Goal: Members focus on growing a single plant species and maximize its potential in that time.
• Judging Criteria: Growth rate, health, and coloration.
• Submission: Before & after images and care details.

13. “Grow-Along” Challenge
Time Limit: 4-6 weeks

• Goal: Everyone grows the same plant species (e.g., Monte Carlo, Anubias, or Java Fern) and shares progress.
• How It Works: Members post updates on growth, care techniques, and any challenges they face.
• Submission: Regular progress photos and tips shared in the club.

14. “Show Us Your Tank” Week
Time Limit: 1 week (monthly or seasonal)

• Goal: Everyone shares a recent photo of their planted tank, no matter the stage.
• How It Works: Members can include captions like “What I love about my tank” or “Here’s my latest change.”
• Submission: A single photo or video with a short description.

15. “Plant Rescue Diaries”
Time Limit: 4-8 weeks

• Goal: Members revive a struggling plant and document their journey.
• How It Works: Before & after pics with details on what worked and what didn’t.
• Submission: A photo series or a small write-up about their experience.

16. “Monthly Tank Theme” Inspiration Thread
Time Limit: Ongoing (new theme each month)

• Goal: Each month, members share a photo or update based on a given theme (e.g., “Moss Madness,” “Nature’s Chaos,” or “Golden Hour Lighting”).
• How It Works: No pressure—just post if you want to join in!
• Submission: A themed photo or short video of their tank.

17. “Before & After” Tank Glow-Up Challenge
Time Limit: 4-6 weeks

• Goal: Members show how their tank has evolved over time.
• How It Works: Share early-stage photos alongside the current state to celebrate progress.
• Submission: Side-by-side comparison images with a description of what changed.

18. “Tank Setup Story” Share-A-Thon
Time Limit: 2-4 weeks

• Goal: Members tell the story of how their tank came to be—what inspired it, struggles they faced, and future plans.
• How It Works: Post a short write-up with photos or a video tour.
• Submission: A mini journal entry or casual social post.

19. “What’s in Your Tank?” Plant Inventory Day
Time Limit: 1 week

• Goal: Everyone lists and shares what plants they have growing.
• How It Works: Members can ask for ID help, trade plant cuttings, or just geek out over their collections.
• Submission: A list of plants with a tank pic or a short video.

20. “Aquarium Playlist” Mood Board Event
Time Limit: Ongoing (quarterly or seasonal)

• Goal: Members create a music playlist that matches the mood of their tank and share it with the group.
• How It Works: Share a song list (Spotify, YouTube, etc.) and a tank photo that fits the vibe.
• Submission: A playlist link with a tank picture.

21. “Happy Accidents” Story Share
Time Limit: 2 weeks

• Goal: Share funny or unexpected things that happened in the tank (e.g., fish rearranging plants, surprise plant growth).
• How It Works: Just post and enjoy the laughs!
• Submission: A short story or photo of the moment.

 

[Art]

Wow! Thanks for listing these. Some great ideas here.

This may be a difficult ask but of the 21 listed above, what would you say would be the best 3 to implement?

 

[*Ci*]

2, 4, & 20 if I could just pick three.
I am curious to see if others like any of the suggestions.

 

[Kwyet]

I would enjoy watching any of these, but I have my tanks already set up and no room for more, and buying an expensive camera isn’t in my budget right now (although one day maybe), so the easier contests that just involve pictures of tanks or parts of tanks that are already set up would be the ones I would be more likely to participate in. It’s a great list of ideas though!