*** MARINER OF THE MONTH: 1st Edition! Sponsored by EShopps, Top Shelf Aquatics, and Premium Aquatics! ***

[Daniel@R2R]

​

Do you DREAM of creating a beautiful, thriving reef tank that brings the ocean’s magic into your home? Are you driven by a passion to learn, grow, and EXPLORE the endless possibilities of making your dream a reality? Are you excited to DISCOVER the wonders of the underwater world in your own home—and maybe even uncover more about yourself along the way? This contest is for reef enthusiasts like you—those eager to dive into the mysteries of the underwater world, deepen their knowledge, and embrace a community that feels like family. If you believe this describes you as a hobbyist, then you may just be the Mariner we’re searching for.

The Mariner of the Month contest is all about celebrating the journey of reef hobbyists. Each month, we’ll select one inspiring hobbyist who embodies creativity, commitment, and community spirit. Through online voting on Reef2Reef, our members will choose the Mariner of the Month, who will receive a fantastic prize package and a custom trophy to commemorate the achievement!

Each monthly winner also becomes a finalist for the Mariner of the Year 2025, an ultimate honor awarded to one of the monthly Mariners at the end of the year, with a grand prize package worth over $15,000!

Here’s what we’re looking for: We want to highlight hobbyists who embody the spirit of the reef community—those who are eager to explore, inspire, and share their unique reef journey. This contest celebrates you, the mariner, more than just your tank!

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

• Must be an R2R member (new members welcome!)
• Have a build thread on R2R
• Be 18 years or older 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

In a single post in this thread, please include the following:

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank)
• The name of your reef tank (or name it now!)
• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums? (Answer should be at least 5 sentences.)
• A link to your build/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!

Entries must be submitted by November 15, 2024.

PRIZES

Our Community Selected MARINER OF THE MONTH for December 2024 will receive:

• Mariner of the Month Trophy!
• Eshopps Deskmate Classic + BioCup Nano
• Premium Aquatics Gift Card/Store Credit: $250
• Top Shelf Aquatics Frag Pack: $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 November 15, 2024. The top 20 entries will be selected by @ESHOPPS.INC staff. A new voting thread will be started by November 20, 2024 with 20 finalists for the community to select the MARINER OF THE MONTH. Winner of MARINER OF THE MONTH will be announced on December 1, 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!!

 

[sixty_reefer]

Wend can we start voting for @Paul B ?

 

[Johnd651]

Morning

Sure lets give it a go.

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank)

• The name of your reef tank (or name it now!)

  • HelloReef 15 - TSA Giveaway​

• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums?
  • I got into Marine aquariums in 2010 after moving to Salt Lake City to work on my PhD with Pacific Sandcastle worms. At that point I had multiple 55's with FW community fish, and African Cichlids. I was excited to try something a little more difficult, and try to combine it with what I was doing at school. I started a 10 gallon at home, and was experimenting with homemade led lights. I started research tanks at school for bio-adhesives for coral restoration with a 40B of live rock plumbed to a frag tank with MH. A few years in I switched to an MBA and had left the program causing a 10 year hiatus. We moved cross country to central NY, into an 1886 Victorian that needed work. We plan on putting in a bigger 6-7ft tank, and as we have been working on the house have added extra electrical, plumbing, and blocking in preparation for a bigger build. In the mean time, I had won a R2R sweepstakes and started out with the HelloReef15 AIO cube. And that brings me to today, adding coral and fish to the 15.
• A link to your build/tank thread on Reef2Reef.
  • https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/helloreef-15-tsa-giveaway.1049555/

 

[tbrown]

Wend can we start voting for @Paul B ?

I believe this is the wrong thread for that. You're looking for Century or Decade.

 

[707Nick]

​

Do you DREAM of creating a beautiful, thriving reef tank that brings the ocean’s magic into your home? Are you driven by a passion to learn, grow, and EXPLORE the endless possibilities of making your dream a reality? Are you excited to DISCOVER the wonders of the underwater world in your own home—and maybe even uncover more about yourself along the way? This contest is for reef enthusiasts like you—those eager to dive into the mysteries of the underwater world, deepen their knowledge, and embrace a community that feels like family. If you believe this describes you as a hobbyist, then you may just be the Mariner we’re searching for.

The Mariner of the Month contest is all about celebrating the journey of reef hobbyists. Each month, we’ll select one inspiring hobbyist who embodies creativity, commitment, and community spirit. Through online voting on Reef2Reef, our members will choose the Mariner of the Month, who will receive a fantastic prize package and a custom trophy to commemorate the achievement!

Each monthly winner also becomes a finalist for the Mariner of the Year 2025, an ultimate honor awarded to one of the monthly Mariners at the end of the year, with a grand prize package worth over $15,000!

Here’s what we’re looking for: We want to highlight hobbyists who embody the spirit of the reef community—those who are eager to explore, inspire, and share their unique reef journey. This contest celebrates you, the mariner, more than just your tank!

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

• Must be an R2R member (new members welcome!)
• Have a build thread on R2R
• Be 18 years or older 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

In a single post in this thread, please include the following:

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank)
• The name of your reef tank (or name it now!)
• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums? (Answer should be at least 5 sentences.)
• A link to your build/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!

Entries must be submitted by November 15, 2024.

PRIZES

Our Community Selected MARINER OF THE MONTH for December 2024 will receive:

• Mariner of the Month Trophy!
• Eshopps Deskmate Classic + BioCup Nano
• Premium Aquatics Gift Card/Store Credit: $250
• Top Shelf Aquatics Frag Pack: $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 November 15, 2024. The top 20 entries will be selected by @ESHOPPS.INC staff. A new voting thread will be started by November 20, 2024 with 20 finalists for the community to select the MARINER OF THE MONTH. Winner of MARINER OF THE MONTH will be announced on December 1, 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!!

I will definitely get started on this sounds like fun. Challenge accepted!

 

[ESHOPPS.INC]

The Mariner of the Month Trophy...

 

[RWinfrey]

Here is my new Mariner 130 . I am the guy in the middle of those 2 wild and crazy guys (you may know them) . We all have been friends for years . Matter of fact maybe some of you have met me in the Eshopps booth in New York RAP. Please don’t nominate my tank . I have been in the aquarium hobby for over 40 years . My first salt tank was built in 1998 . I have had many over the years but the mariners are built so well this will be my last . Here is my build thread .

Build Thread - New build mariner 130 and fish room

Pictures of the new tank and when I say tank I mean it . It took 4 people to lift this monster!!!!!!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[RWinfrey]

Here is my new Mariner 130 . I am the guy in the middle of those 2 wild and crazy guys (you may know them) . We all have been friends for years . Matter of fact maybe some of you have met me in the Eshopps booth in New York RAP. Please don’t nominate my tank . I have been in the aquarium hobby for over 40 years . My first salt tank was built in 1998 . I have had many over the years but the mariners are built so well this will be my last . Here is my build thread .

Build Thread - New build mariner 130 and fish room

Pictures of the new tank and when I say tank I mean it . It took 4 people to lift this monster!!!!!!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[tbrown]

Welcome to my ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Mixed Reef Upgrade Upgrade Downsize but Upgrade!

Build Thread - ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Build

Alright. I'm going to get this started! I won the ESHOPPS Mariner 70 giveaway so I'm setting up the build thread. Pictures will be coming as I set it up! Equipment List: Obviously, ESHOPPS Mariner 70 ESHOPPS RS-100 sump ESHOPPS S-120 Protein Skimmer and ESHOPPS Lift Skimmer Stand Rio+ 2100...

www.reef2reef.com

What got me into the hobby of Marine aquariums?

When I was younger - a boy of 12 or 13, my mom got our first saltwater tank. I had been running low tech freshwater tanks for around 5 or 6 years at that time and had, at that time, 6 different aquariums running in my bedroom including a successful zebra danio breeding tank. When my brought home this 70 gallon tank and filled it with beautiful white sand and rock and added handfuls or Cerith snails and blue leg hermits crabs, I was hooked! Then, she added a grouper and a snowflake eel which was awesome! We had a fish store a half mile from our house that I went to weekly to purchase my crickets for my bearded dragon so I started buying some feeder goldfish while I was there. I remember dumping a dozen feeders in the tank and watching the grouper and snowflake hunt down and ambush the goldfish. I remember the scales shooting out the gills on the grouper as it sucked own the goldfish in a giant gulp. Ever since those days, Saltwater Tanks have been in my veins. Fast forward 15 years and I finally convinced my wife we needed a mixed reef tank and I brought home my own 70 from a thrift shop that I purchased for $15, built a welded steel stand, gathered all the equipment, and had a successful reef!

That was 5 reefs ago and I'm back to a 70 that's running more successful than the old one ever ran.

 

[Proud]

Welcome to my ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Mixed Reef Upgrade Upgrade Downsize but Upgrade!

Build Thread - ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Build

Alright. I'm going to get this started! I won the ESHOPPS Mariner 70 giveaway so I'm setting up the build thread. Pictures will be coming as I set it up! Equipment List: Obviously, ESHOPPS Mariner 70 ESHOPPS RS-100 sump ESHOPPS S-120 Protein Skimmer and ESHOPPS Lift Skimmer Stand Rio+ 2100...

www.reef2reef.com

What got me into the hobby of Marine aquariums?

When I was younger - a boy of 12 or 13, my mom got our first saltwater tank. I had been running low tech freshwater tanks for around 5 or 6 years at that time and had, at that time, 6 different aquariums running in my bedroom including a successful zebra danio breeding tank. When my brought home this 70 gallon tank and filled it with beautiful white sand and rock and added handfuls or Cerith snails and blue leg hermits crabs, I was hooked! Then, she added a grouper and a snowflake eel which was awesome! We had a fish store a half mile from our house that I went to weekly to purchase my crickets for my bearded dragon so I started buying some feeder goldfish while I was there. I remember dumping a dozen feeders in the tank and watching the grouper and snowflake hunt down and ambush the goldfish. I remember the scales shooting out the gills on the grouper as it sucked own the goldfish in a giant gulp. Ever since those days, Saltwater Tanks have been in my veins. Fast forward 15 years and I finally convinced my wife we needed a mixed reef tank and I brought home my own 70 from a thrift shop that I purchased for $15, built a welded steel stand, gathered all the equipment, and had a successful reef!

That was 5 reefs ago and I'm back to a 70 that's running more successful than the old one ever ran.

Good story

 

[tbrown]

Good story

Thanks!

 

[Stang67]

A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank).
I'm on the right. At a Buddhist temple in Bali.

The name of your reef tank (or name it now!)
The 180g. Third time around.

Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums? (Answer should be at least 5 sentences.)
I was having a spat with my man. He was off doing his hobby and I was left unsupervised, and mad. Not a good combination. I had started getting into scuba diving and thought it would be cool to have a saltwater tank in the house. He thought it was a silly idea. I thougjt he was being a jerk, which he was. So I went out and bought a 29g starter kit just to spite him and prove him wrong. He's never second guessed something I have wanted to try since.

A link to your build/tank thread on Reef2Reef.
Thread 'Third time better be the charm' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/third-time-better-be-the-charm.845553/

Ps just got back from an epic dive trip (Bali) where I saw stuff like this.

Yep their nudis hope to bribe the judges with them.

 

[Stang67]

Double post sorry

 

[tbrown]

Double post sorry

Story so good it was worth telling twice!!??!

 

[Stang67]

Welcome to my ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Mixed Reef Upgrade Upgrade Downsize but Upgrade!

Build Thread - ESHOPPS Mariner 70 Build

Alright. I'm going to get this started! I won the ESHOPPS Mariner 70 giveaway so I'm setting up the build thread. Pictures will be coming as I set it up! Equipment List: Obviously, ESHOPPS Mariner 70 ESHOPPS RS-100 sump ESHOPPS S-120 Protein Skimmer and ESHOPPS Lift Skimmer Stand Rio+ 2100...

www.reef2reef.com

What got me into the hobby of Marine aquariums?

When I was younger - a boy of 12 or 13, my mom got our first saltwater tank. I had been running low tech freshwater tanks for around 5 or 6 years at that time and had, at that time, 6 different aquariums running in my bedroom including a successful zebra danio breeding tank. When my brought home this 70 gallon tank and filled it with beautiful white sand and rock and added handfuls or Cerith snails and blue leg hermits crabs, I was hooked! Then, she added a grouper and a snowflake eel which was awesome! We had a fish store a half mile from our house that I went to weekly to purchase my crickets for my bearded dragon so I started buying some feeder goldfish while I was there. I remember dumping a dozen feeders in the tank and watching the grouper and snowflake hunt down and ambush the goldfish. I remember the scales shooting out the gills on the grouper as it sucked own the goldfish in a giant gulp. Ever since those days, Saltwater Tanks have been in my veins. Fast forward 15 years and I finally convinced my wife we needed a mixed reef tank and I brought home my own 70 from a thrift shop that I purchased for $15, built a welded steel stand, gathered all the equipment, and had a successful reef!

That was 5 reefs ago and I'm back to a 70 that's running more successful than the old one ever ran.

I expected some crocs, slightly disappointed.

 

[tbrown]

I expected some crocs, slightly disappointed.

Can't see them but there's camo Crocs in this picture...

 

[KingAlee]

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank)

• The name of your reef tank (or name it now!) River’s Reef (named after my soon to be born son)
• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums?

I first started in freshwater, my wife and I purchased our first tank together at the beginning of this year. Knowing nothing about it all we dove straight into it. After expanding across multiple tanks, multiple tank syndrome, she had the great idea of getting a reef tank to tell our soon to be born son that “Nemo” happened in our tank. Not knowing then I would now have 3 reef tanks… 2 large and one nano I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this hobby, I know I’ve only been in it for a couple of months I’m excited to see where everything goes!

• A link to your build/tank thread on Reef2Reef. Thread 'One of many!'

 

[KingAlee]

• A photo of yourself and a photo of your reef tank (can be separate photos or the same photo, but separating them might allow for a better pic of your tank)

• The name of your reef tank (or name it now!) River’s Reef (named after my soon to be born son)
• Your response to this month’s Mariner of the Month question: What got you into the hobby of Marine aquariums?

I first started in freshwater, my wife and I purchased our first tank together at the beginning of this year. Knowing nothing about it all we dove straight into it. After expanding across multiple tanks, multiple tank syndrome, she had the great idea of getting a reef tank to tell our soon to be born son that “Nemo” happened in our tank. Not knowing then I would now have 3 reef tanks… 2 large and one nano I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this hobby, I know I’ve only been in it for a couple of months I’m excited to see where everything goes!

• A link to your build/tank thread on Reef2Reef. Thread 'One of many!'

 

[KingAlee]

Apologies it double posted and I have no clue how to delete lol