*** WIN $1,000 in Prizes! MARINER OF THE MONTH: March Edition! Sponsored by ESHOPPS, Top Shelf Aquatics, Premium Aquatics, and SaltwaterAquarium.com!

[Daniel@R2R]

​

Welcome to the 4th edition of our Mariner of the Month contest! The excitement just keeps growing! Do you dream of creating a breathtaking reef tank that captures the magic of the ocean? Are you passionate about reefing and love sharing your journey with a thriving community? The Mariner of the Month contest is your chance to shine! It’s a celebration of dedicated hobbyists who bring the underwater world to life and inspire others along the way.

Each month, one outstanding reefer will be crowned Mariner of the Month through community voting on Reef2Reef, earning an epic prize package and a custom trophy to mark the achievement. Plus, monthly winners will compete for the ultimate title of Mariner of the Year 2025, with a grand prize worth over $12,000!

This contest is about more than just your tank—it’s about your creativity, commitment, and passion for the reefing community. Are you ready to Dream, Explore, and Discover? Let’s dive in!

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

• Must be an R2R member (new members welcome!)
• Have a tank thread on R2R
• Be 18 years or older (minors may participate with parental consent) and living in the continental US
• Monthly winners can only win once in the year but automatically qualify as a finalist for the Mariner of the Year selection!

HOW TO ENTER

To submit your entry, please include the following in a single post in this thread:

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank. (These can be separate photos or combined, but separate photos may better showcase your tank.)
• The name of your reef tank—or name it now if you haven’t already!
• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month prompt: What have you Discovered about yourself since you got into the saltwater aquarium hobby? (Your answer should be at least 5 sentences long.)
• A link to your tank thread on Reef2Reef. Don't have one? Our Members Aquarium Showcase is a great place to do that! CLICK HERE and get yours going!

Want to nominate another member? Here's how to do it:

• Tag the individual you would like to nominate.
• Share a nomination statement of at least 5 sentences, explaining why this person deserves to be considered. (Your statement will serve as an endorsement in the final voting thread.)
• Nominees must accept the nomination and complete the entry requirements in this thread to be considered as a Mariner of the Month finalist.

Entries and nominations must be submitted by February 17, 2024.

PRIZES

Our MARINER OF THE MONTH for March 2025 will receive:

Total Prize Value is $1,000!! Here's what the winner will get:

• Mariner of the Month Trophy!
• ESHOPPS accessory pack worth $250: Alpha Rack Nano, Alpha Rack Mega, Alpha Rack Giga, EZ Feeder, and Super Spy
• Premium Aquatics Gift Card/Store Credit: $250
• Top Shelf Aquatics Frag Pack: $250
• SaltwaterAquarium.com: $250
• Bragging Rights!!!

Mariner of the Year 2025: An ultimate prize package including a Mariner 130, a substantial gift card selection, and thousands of dollars in accessories!

RULES FOR ENTRY SUBMISSION AND WINNER SELECTION

Entries must be submitted by February 17, 2025. The top 20 entries will be selected by @ESHOPPS.INC staff. A new voting thread will be started by February 20, 2025 with 20 finalists for the community to select the MARINER OF THE MONTH. Winner of MARINER OF THE MONTH will be announced on March 3, 2024.

At the end of the contest, the winner's username will be tagged in the winning announcement. We will not email, PM, or contact the winner other than tagging their username. Be sure to check back to claim your prize.

Thanks so much to @ESHOPPS.INC for putting together this awesome event! Let the search for the Mariner begin!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Good luck all participants

 

[shakacuz]

good luck to those participating!!!!

 

[tbrown]

I don't qualify but I have to answer the question, right???

What have you Discovered about yourself since you got into the saltwater aquarium hobby?

Over the past few years that I've been reef keeping i think the biggest thing I've discovered about myself is that I can't fit myself into a box - that happens after I'm dead! When it comes to how "everyone" does things, that's not enough for me. I like to test things, push the limits, and try things out for myself. I've had success with many things that go against the normal process of running reef tanks. I run higher nutrients, I've used tap water for years, I have a potentially over stocked tank, and, until recently, I used little to no automation on my tanks. Testing for me is something that happens when something seems off or if I feel like checking where my tank is at.

I don't fit the mold and I don't try to anymore. Reef keeping for me is a joy and I try to keep it hassle free as much as I can.

 

[*GAREEF*]

I don't qualify but I have to answer the question, right???



Over the past few years that I've been reef keeping i think the biggest thing I've discovered about myself is that I can't fit myself into a box - that happens after I'm dead! When it comes to how "everyone" does things, that's not enough for me. I like to test things, push the limits, and try things out for myself. I've had success with many things that go against the normal process of running reef tanks. I run higher nutrients, I've used tap water for years, I have a potentially over stocked tank, and, until recently, I used little to no automation on my tanks. Testing for me is something that happens when something seems off or if I feel like checking where my tank is at.

I don't fit the mold and I don't try to anymore. Reef keeping for me is a joy and I try to keep it hassle free as much as I can.

Hear Hear!

 

[Proud]

Very interesting question, what have you Discovered about yourself since you got into the saltwater aquarium hobby? I will have to take sometime to think deep about this.

 

[*GAREEF*]

Very interesting question, what have you Discovered about yourself since you got into the saltwater aquarium hobby? I will have to take sometime to think deep about this.

Same here

 

[AydenLincoln]

Does it have to be a reef tank? Can it be Hewbie’s tank a fowlr tank?

 

[Anna K]

Does it have to be a reef tank? Can it be Hewbie’s tank a fowlr tank?

I think that would be okay. The requirement section didn't specify reef tanks only, and the Showcase section has all different types of tanks, not just reefs.

Good luck everyone!

 

[tbrown]

Does it have to be a reef tank? Can it be Hewbie’s tank a fowlr tank?

I don't think anything says Reef, it all says saltwater. Enter away and good luck!

 

[AydenLincoln]

I don't think anything says Reef, it all says saltwater. Enter away and good luck!

Here it does! Although this forum is all about reef tanks mainly but the hobby is more than that it’s all saltwater though lol. Which people forget we don’t all have reef tanks there are many other kinds.

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank. (These can be separate photos or combined, but separate photos may better showcase your tank.)

 

[Anna K]

Here it does! Although this forum is all about reef tanks mainly but the hobby is more than that it’s all saltwater though lol. Which people forget we don’t all have reef tanks there are many other kinds.

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank. (These can be separate photos or combined, but separate photos may better showcase your tank.)

I think that's just going to be interchangeable in these contest threads. You can always DM a Mod for clarification

 

[AydenLincoln]

I think that's just going to be interchangeable in these contest threads. You can always DM a Mod for clarification

That’s a good point could just be wording.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I would say that I know myself incredibly well—better than most people at least I hope ! I have a knack for recognizing and remembering things about myself that many wouldn’t notice. One surprising thing I’ve learned is just how much I can love a fish well Hewbie my porcupine puffer that is. Before I got into the hobby of owning saltwater fish, I, like most people, overlooked how intelligent and personable they can be.
Another thing I've learned about myself is that I'm really bad at saving money and tend to be impatient when it comes to the hobby. But, I can’t say this is something I didn’t know about myself in relation to other areas of my life lol. It’s an addiction but a good one. Another thing I discovered is just how strong I truly am especially when I had to carry five-gallon buckets of water around and even managed to get my 20-gallon fish tank stand up the stairs all by myself—well, I kind of dragged it one step at a time if I’m being honest and the marks on the stairs are a permanent reminder of that lol. In my defense, I'm only 5'2", which is petite, and the stand is made of solid wood, making it about half my height!
This is Hewbie’s Home the name of my tank and porcupine puffer. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hewbie’s-home.1086981/

 

[*GAREEF*]

.

 

[*GAREEF*]

I would say that I know myself incredibly well—better than most people at least I hope ! I have a knack for recognizing and remembering things about myself that many wouldn’t notice. One surprising thing I’ve learned is just how much I can love a fish well Hewbie my porcupine puffer that is. Before I got into the hobby of owning saltwater fish, I, like most people, overlooked how intelligent and personable they can be.
Another thing I've learned about myself is that I'm really bad at saving money and tend to be impatient when it comes to the hobby. But, I can’t say this is something I didn’t know about myself in relation to other areas of my life lol. It’s an addiction but a good one. Another thing I discovered is just how strong I truly am especially when I had to carry five-gallon buckets of water around and even managed to get my 20-gallon fish tank stand up the stairs all by myself—well, I kind of dragged it one step at a time if I’m being honest and the marks on the stairs are a permanent reminder of that lol. In my defense, I'm only 5'2", which is petite, and the stand is made of solid wood, making it about half my height!
This is Hewbie’s Home the name of my tank and porcupine puffer. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hewbie’s-home.1086981/

I am so voting for you!!
Oh my gosh Wozers! <^>insert smiley face here<^> I love you Hewbie! so much!
Oh my gosh I don’t know what to do with myself
Insert extremely happy dance here<^> and here^<>^><^ with extra love and lots of smiley faces here^><>^><

 

[Proud]

I discovered that I was more crafty than I ever knew I was. I’ve discovered it is okay to cry and you can benefit from it imensly. I discovered aquariums can bring people together in a community just like a church in a small back woods town.
I discovered my family is the most important thing to me. I’ve discovered communities can build hope in others and communities are very important in fact you could say they are the foundation to our country.
Most of all I’ve learned that I live reef2 reef so much oh my gosh guys it makes me so silly sometimes just take a look at the Smorgborg.
They are the best community on here for me!
I just want to hold them and squeeze them and hug them and tell them How much I love them all.
Stop on by Smorgville and meet papa Smorg he’s so much fun guys oh my gosh.

You will have my vote

 

[Proud]

I would say that I know myself incredibly well—better than most people at least I hope ! I have a knack for recognizing and remembering things about myself that many wouldn’t notice. One surprising thing I’ve learned is just how much I can love a fish well Hewbie my porcupine puffer that is. Before I got into the hobby of owning saltwater fish, I, like most people, overlooked how intelligent and personable they can be.
Another thing I've learned about myself is that I'm really bad at saving money and tend to be impatient when it comes to the hobby. But, I can’t say this is something I didn’t know about myself in relation to other areas of my life lol. It’s an addiction but a good one. Another thing I discovered is just how strong I truly am especially when I had to carry five-gallon buckets of water around and even managed to get my 20-gallon fish tank stand up the stairs all by myself—well, I kind of dragged it one step at a time if I’m being honest and the marks on the stairs are a permanent reminder of that lol. In my defense, I'm only 5'2", which is petite, and the stand is made of solid wood, making it about half my height!
This is Hewbie’s Home the name of my tank and porcupine puffer. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hewbie’s-home.1086981/

voting for you

 

[*GAREEF*]

.

 

[Proud]

I’m ready are you!!…lol
Let’s fire it up in heeah!
Get this party started.
Come on!!
Let’s get pumped up!

looking good