Why no tank of the month on 3reef?

Do you like the idea of Tank of the Month?

....I noticed it was not well precieved by a large number of members but before I totally drop the discussion I would like to see what everyones thought are.

My thing is this, Yes everywebsite has TOTM but everywebsite doesn not have the same members. This is what it is all about to me, not how many TOTM websites there are or wether or not its an original idea.... but getting to see new exciting tanks.

Yes there is Show of your tank but since this is a general forum it doesnt not show us as a whole the nicest tanks out there because they get mixed in the bunch of average tanks (such as my own). Which is fine! However this should not be considered a fair comparison. I would like to see the experts get there own spotlight. (They deserve it) and be able to explian in detail, how they did it.

Some people have said that TOTM would discourage people from showcasing there tanks but I say opposite. If you where to ask the question to any aquarist; "What made you get into reefkeeping?" One of your #1 responses would be: I was inspired when I seen somone elses tank" I can honestly say thats what inspired me. The first idea I had of getting a tank came from looking on a forum showcasing TOTM with pics.
Yes we have COTM and FOTM but these primarily show already established aquarists what fish they should get next, or the next great coral they wish to maintain and ways to keep them. TOTM shows new aquarists, established aquarists as well as newbies, new ideas,ways of success and inspires us to the hobby.

Two things come to mind when i think TOTM. Recognition and Respectability. I promise you one thing, there are 100's of members on this site that are sitting on gold mines for the world to see, and these gold mines are not being displayed on Show of your Tank. TOTM gives one individual a spotlight to showcase and explain in detail his/her masterpiece(recognition). #2 As stated before, I believe when a tank is showcased each month it will inspire others to do more with there tanks. #3 seeing the best of the best on 3reef gives us ideas and knowlegde on how to accomplish are goals not to mention, once you see what a member is doing right you know there credibility(respectability). (nothing like knowing exactly who to turn to when you have a question about your tank)


If there are other issues that may keep this from coming a reality I understand. IE Money,time, to challenging, whatever the case maybe but If not for those reason s...it should be. not because we care how original we are compared to other sites or because were not use to change. Only other reason would be lack of confidence in accomplishing this goal. So please I would like to see us refrain from the latter.

I btw in no way have a tank that is TOTM material but I know there is many members hidden throughout this forum that do.

 

I am already spotlighting tanks on the homepage.

 

Then Stickie one of them to the top of the homepage for a period of one month before the natives grow restless and demand for you to seek asylum in some 3rd world country! ;D

 

Can't do that. My thoughts on this are on the 1st page.

 

I know, but people change their mind all the time. I certainly do.

TOTM or not, 3reef is still one of the best reefing communities on the planet. Everyone here is eager to learn and eager to teach. That will make us all better hobbyist!

 

I vote no for now. Matt seems interested in the future so that is great. Besides, this gives me time to build a tank to win the prize in the future.

 

....http://www.3reef.com/forums/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=1114158

 

I am opposed to TOTM on this site... It turns into a lot of politics, popularity contest, and who has the most expensive equipment contest.

I love this site how it is now and really dont want to see a good site go bad with the negative influences that TOTM brings with it.

 

It seems to me one way to do this with no strain at all would be a semi-informal user moderated TOTM. I agree the mods here do enough work. Why not just start a thread with some links, leave it open for a week to let people nominate more links, then open a poll for a week to select.

Anyone can take on the task and if they slack off, someone else can take it up instead... no mod required. Obviously it would lack the panache of an "official" TOTM title, but if I won I'd think it was pretty cool!

 

i have alreary proposed the idea of having someone like a non mod run the thread. but i also agree with the person right above me