Community Rules
Built to preserve knowledge, reduce noise, and help the community thrive. These rules apply everywhere on the platform.
Welcome to HydraScales — a community platform for aquarium keepers. These Community Rules apply everywhere, including the knowledge base, discussions, inspirations/builds, comments, profiles, and messages.
The vibe we're building
This is not a place where one loud voice becomes "the truth." It's a place where the community's shared experience becomes easier to find, improve, and pass forward.
If you're here to help others build healthier tanks, you're in the right place.
Be a good community member
- Be respectful and constructive
- Ask clarifying questions before assuming
- Share what worked and what didn't
- Label uncertainty: "In my tank…", "I'm not sure…"
- Help people move toward stable, thriving systems
- Attack people
- Flex credentials
- Treat disagreement as a personal challenge
- Turn threads into argument marathons
If you came to win a debate, you're in the wrong place.
Zero tolerance for scams and deception
HydraScales is designed to be safe. That means you may not:
- Impersonate anyone (including stores, brands, or community members)
- Misrepresent experience, identity, or affiliations
- Run scams, phishing, or deceptive schemes
- Solicit money, gifts, or sensitive information through manipulation
No harassment, hate, or intimidation
You may not:
- Harass, threaten, stalk, or intimidate anyone
- Use hate speech or target people based on protected characteristics
- Encourage others to dogpile or harass
This is a community. Keep it human.
No spam or noise
HydraScales is not an ad board. You may not:
- Post repetitive or automated content
- Link-drop without context
- Flood tags, threads, or comments
- Promote products/services in a spammy way
Keep it relevant
HydraScales exists for aquarium knowledge and thriving tanks.
Off-topic content may be removed, especially if it derails or inflames. If you're unsure, connect it back to the hobby and keep it useful.
Safety and responsibility come first
Aquarium keeping involves living animals and complex systems. Content should be written with care. You may not:
- Encourage cruelty or neglect
- Advocate unsafe handling practices
- Push reckless advice that risks livestock harm
Knowledge base rules
The knowledge base is built to evolve through revisions. That only works if we edit responsibly.
- Keep entries structured and clear
- Improve accuracy and clarity
- Add context and real-world observations
- Fix outdated info when you find it
- Edit-war (back-and-forth edits)
- Add rumors as facts
- Delete useful info out of spite
- Turn articles into threads
Inspirations/Builds rules
Inspirations exists to celebrate what's working and help others learn.
- Share what's working (and what you changed)
- Include helpful context if you can
- Encourage and guide newer hobbyists
- Shame others' tanks
- Misrepresent photos or results
- Post content that's only promotional
Moderation and enforcement
We enforce these rules to protect the community. We may take action including:
- Removing or limiting visibility of content
- Issuing warnings
- Temporary suspensions
- Permanent bans
Updates to these rules
As HydraScales evolves, these rules may evolve too. We'll update the "Last updated" date when we make changes.
Questions about these rules? Contact us