We did the first round of judging today, we came up with:



Lesser Awards:



Winner of the Worst Submission of the Year: (Central Valley Reefs) - no prize, just the shame of having a good looking tank




- This "Way too nice to be in a Ugly Tank Contest" tank didn't measure up, and came in dead last according to the judges.




Winner of the "Best Use of Nuisance Algae Award:" (3reef) Prize: When Macro comes back in season I will pick out something nice for the tank and ship it off to you. Just remind me in 2 months or so.



Lots of seahorse keepers would love to have this tank.


Your 2009 Ugly Tank Contest Finalists:










These tanks are all very ugly! They are without a doubt in my mind the four worst looking tanks in existence, or at least all of them are in the bottom 10. Number 3 might not look that way, but here is a pic of what it used to look like:



so, that weighed into my decision. Check back again as we round up the judges and choose a winner.

If you didn't win you are welcome. If you stop in the store at some point, use the code "5uglytank" and leave a link to your photo in the comments field, or let me know your screenname from on the forum you originally posted the picture on. It will take $5 off your next order. It isn't much, but these days you should still be able to get a small coffee, or a pack of gum.


Thanks again for everyone who participated, and for being good sports. A lot of the joy we get from hosting the Ugly Tank Contest is poking fun at the contestants a little bit, and I appreciate you all for putting up with it.

5 judges votes in, 4 to go.

jacobnano #2
clemsonfan-ew - # 1
puffer- #2 ugly
oceansparadise #1
jrp1588 - #4
Mikejrice - #2
bookas - #4
fosi - #1
quillo - #4
KKV - #1

4 for 1
3 for 4
3 for 2

Here is the ugliest tank of 2009:

What is the problem with your Ugliest Tank Contest Winner? My husband's tank is starting to get some of that same dusty looking covering on everything. Since I don't know what its called, I've had a hard time trying to find someplace that addresses it. Any help for the issue here? THANK YOU!

they have (spelling alert) lyngbya muscujala. It is a type of cyano, that grows very fast, and can be a pain.

now for dusty looking algae, is it red or brown? brown dust is usually diatoms, red is cyano. THis stuff in the tank above is filamentous.