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Community guidelines

Short version: be helpful, be honest, don't spam. Read the full guidelines below before posting.

Be respectful

Everyone was a beginner once. Disagree on dosing schedules and lighting all you want, but no name-calling, harassment, or hate speech. Threats and doxxing are an instant ban.

Posting

Stay on topic. Post threads in the right forum. If you're not sure, Beginner Help is a fine catch-all.
Search first. Common questions usually have several existing answers. New threads are great too if you can't find one.
No spam. Brand reps are welcome to participate as community members. One-line product plugs, drop-ship arbitrage threads, and crypto/giveaway scams are removed on sight.
No AI-generated walls of text. Share what you actually know.

For Sale rules

25-post minimum. The For Sale board unlocks after 25 community posts (threads, replies, build updates, etc.) so it stays a reefers-only zone.
Hobbyist-to-hobbyist only. Vendor accounts can post in the regular Equipment and Coral forums but not in For Sale.
Be honest. Accurate descriptions, real photos, fair prices.
City + state only. Never share a full address in a public listing.
Public comments for questions, private messages for offers and pickup logistics. Keeps the public Q&A useful for the next buyer.
Don't flip wild-caught species. Captive-bred only for the major fish; coral fragging is welcome.
Mark items sold once they're gone so listings stay relevant.

Contest photo requirements

Photos must be of your own entry frag, taken under your own lights. No stock images.
Include a date marker (a small piece of paper with the date, or a recognizable scale reference) in milestone photos.
One update per scheduled photo round. Hosts may DQ entries with missing or fabricated photos.

Disputes & blocking

Try a private message first. Most marketplace and forum conflicts resolve faster one-on-one.
If that doesn't work, use the ⚑ report button on the offending content.
Blocking stops new messages from a user; threads they've already posted stay visible.

Moderation

Reports go to a queue admins review. When we remove content we leave a brief note. Repeat offenders get temporary or permanent bans. Marketplace scams get an instant ban and a public note. If you disagree with a moderation action, DM an admin.

Questions? Read About or DM an admin.

Posting

Stay on topic. Post threads in the right forum. If you're not sure, Beginner Help is a fine catch-all.

Search first. Common questions usually have several existing answers. New threads are great too if you can't find one.

No spam. Brand reps are welcome to participate as community members. One-line product plugs, drop-ship arbitrage threads, and crypto/giveaway scams are removed on sight.

No AI-generated walls of text. Share what you actually know.

For Sale rules

25-post minimum. The For Sale board unlocks after 25 community posts (threads, replies, build updates, etc.) so it stays a reefers-only zone.

Hobbyist-to-hobbyist only. Vendor accounts can post in the regular Equipment and Coral forums but not in For Sale.

Be honest. Accurate descriptions, real photos, fair prices.

City + state only. Never share a full address in a public listing.

Public comments for questions, private messages for offers and pickup logistics. Keeps the public Q&A useful for the next buyer.

Don't flip wild-caught species. Captive-bred only for the major fish; coral fragging is welcome.

Mark items sold once they're gone so listings stay relevant.