Helping each other defeats the whole purpose because at the end of one year they will all look the same. I think the details should be exposed at the end.
I agree with Ken....
Not only can everyone in the contest test their cichla growout skills but this can also serve as an experiment as to how the best possible way to raise these cichla.
In the end each member who participated in the contest should post all their water parameters ph , temp , hardness , foods used....etc. I know this stuff was mentioned before but I like the idea from a research standpoint to further educate myself along with others.
From the member names I've seen participating in this , I would say this will be a contest of the best of the best.
With that said , whoever wins the xingu growout champ title , I'm sure that member will have the best growout method