Changelog

New tools, features and articles — newest first.

v3.378.0 — A better tank setup wizard

Released 24 July 2026

• ✦Set up a new tank in a few tidy steps — the My Tank setup wizard has a cleaner, more spacious design and now captures far more of your tank in one go: volume and water chemistry as before, plus (all optional) your light, filter, substrate and CO₂ equipment, your plants and livestock, and your water-change and fertiliser routine. Everything is optional and editable any time, so your profile is ready to share from day one.

New articleChemical filter media

Released 24 July 2026

• ✦Chemical filter media: what is worth using, and what is a waste — New guide: chemical filter media — activated carbon, Purigen, phosphate and ammonia removers, when each is worth using and when it is a waste.

ImprovementNew page: Become a member

Released 23 July 2026

• ✦A home for free membership — a new /join page lays out exactly what a free account gives you: your tools and readings synced across devices, saved favourites, a maintenance schedule and heat alerts. Passwordless, no spam, delete anytime.

v3.376.0 — A smarter favourites page

Released 23 July 2026

• ✦Pin articles to the top — keep your go-to guides and plant profiles at the top of your favourites, above everything else.
• ✦"New since you last visited" — the favourites page now flags anything you have saved since you last opened it, with a matching count on the Favourites menu link.

New articleDwarf chain sword

Released 23 July 2026

• ✦Dwarf chain sword (Helanthium tenellum): the grassy runner carpet — New plant profile: Dwarf chain sword (Helanthium tenellum) — the grassy runner carpet.

New articlePearlweed

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Pearlweed (Micranthemum micranthemoides): the fast, versatile bright-green filler — New plant profile: Pearlweed (Micranthemum micranthemoides) — the fast, versatile bright-green filler.

ImprovementA richer account hub

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Make your account yours — your account now shows your activity (comments posted, likes received, member since), lets you pick an avatar from a set of built-in ones that then appears on your comments and in the top bar, lists your recent comments so you can jump back to them, and offers a one-click download of your data.

ImprovementSee when you're signed in

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Your account is now one tap away — when you're signed in, a small avatar appears in the top bar. Tap it for a quick menu to open your account or sign out. On mobile it's at the top of the menu drawer.

ImprovementSigned-in comments, recognised everywhere

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Sign in and your comments follow you across devices — when you're signed in to your account, comments post as you automatically (no re-typing your name and email), show your Member badge, and appear straight away. Not signed in? You can still comment exactly as before.

ImprovementNew: your AquaCalc account

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Sign in to manage your subscriptions in one place — a new, optional account with a clean preferences hub. Turn your newsletter and heat alerts on or off, and update your name. It's passwordless — we email you a one-time sign-in link, and you stay signed in across visits so your comments are recognised on every device. The tools and articles still need no account at all.

New articleCloudy water & blooms

Released 22 July 2026

• ✦Cloudy aquarium water: what a bacterial bloom really means — New guide to cloudy aquarium water: what a bacterial bloom actually is, whether it harms fish, and why the instinct to scrub the filter and sterilise the water makes it worse.

ImprovementFree cheat sheet for subscribers

Released 21 July 2026

• ✦Subscribe and get the Planted Tank Cheat Sheet — a free two-page PDF with target water parameters, a colour-coded CO₂ / pH / KH table, and a visual "what's wrong with my plant?" deficiency guide. It arrives the moment you confirm your subscription, and in your welcome email. No ads, no spam.

ImprovementBetter link previews when you share

Released 21 July 2026

• ✦Every guide and plant profile now shares with its own image — when you post an AquaCalc article link on Facebook, X or LinkedIn, the preview now shows that article's own artwork instead of a generic AquaCalc image.

ImprovementNew: Resources directory

Released 21 July 2026

• ✦A curated map of the planted-tank world — a new Resources page with honest, neutral summaries of the best shops, filter and lighting brands, CO₂ kit, fertilisers, substrates and communities. UK-first, filterable by category, with a UK-shops-only toggle. No affiliate links.

New articleHydrocotyle 'Japan'

Released 21 July 2026

• ✦Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan': the versatile trilobed creeper — New plant profile: Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan' — the versatile trilobed creeper.

New articleFish quarantine

Released 20 July 2026

• ✦Fish quarantine: the science, and when it can be skipped — New guide: Fish quarantine — the science of what it prevents, why many keepers skip it and stay healthy, why even a three-week quarantine can fail, and how to weigh the risk for your tank.

New articlePogostemon erectus

Released 19 July 2026

• ✦Pogostemon erectus: the bright-green bottlebrush stem — New plant profile: Pogostemon erectus — the bright-green bottlebrush stem.

New articleRotala 'H'ra'

Released 18 July 2026

• ✦Rotala 'H'ra': the fiery orange-red aquascaping stem — New plant profile: Rotala 'H'ra' — the fiery orange-red aquascaping stem.

New articleStar grass

Released 17 July 2026

• ✦Star grass (Heteranthera zosterifolia): the bushy, fast-growing green filler — New plant profile: Star grass (Heteranthera zosterifolia) — the bushy, fast-growing green filler.

New articleCryptocoryne 'Flamingo'

Released 16 July 2026

• ✦Cryptocoryne 'Flamingo': the pink crypt for the patient — New plant profile: Cryptocoryne 'Flamingo' — the demanding pink crypt.

New articleJava fern 'Windelov'

Released 16 July 2026

• ✦Java fern 'Windelov': the lace-tipped epiphyte fern — New plant profile: Java fern 'Windelov' — the lace-tipped epiphyte fern.

ImprovementA faster way to browse plants

Released 16 July 2026

• ✦The Plant Insights hub is easier to browse: search and filters now stay pinned to the top as you scroll, every plant card shows at-a-glance difficulty, light and CO₂ badges, and you can sort by newest, name or difficulty. New curated shelves — like "Beginner carpets" and "Bulletproof low-light" — filter the whole library in one tap.

New articlePaludariums

Released 16 July 2026

• ✦Paludariums for beginners: building your first hybrid aquatic-terrestrial tank — New guide: Paludariums for beginners — how to build a hybrid aquatic-terrestrial tank, from the false-bottom drainage layer to the plants that grow both underwater and in air.

ImprovementOfficial replies from AquaCalc

Released 15 July 2026

• ✦We can now reply to your comments directly. Replies from us are clearly marked as an official AquaCalc "Team" reply, and if you left an email we'll let you know when we've responded.

ImprovementLike and reply to comments

Released 15 July 2026

• ✦Comments got richer: you can now like a comment and reply to start a thread, with a fresh, more polished look. And if you have had a comment approved before, your future comments appear straight away — no waiting for review.

ImprovementComments on articles

Released 15 July 2026

• ✦You can now leave a comment on any blog or plant article — share a result, a tip or a question. Just add your name and comment (email optional, never shown). Comments are reviewed before they appear, and each article shows how many comments it has at the top.

ImprovementRedesigned navigation menus

Released 15 July 2026

• ✦The Tools, Plants and Learn menus have a fresh, roomier design — pick a category on the left and browse it on the right, with a featured pick to discover something new. Plants and guides are now organised by type and topic, so there is always a clear way in.

New toolTank Kit Builder

Released 15 July 2026

• ✦Tank Kit Builder — answer four quick questions about your tank and get a recommended equipment checklist, sized to your setup: the filter flow to look for, heater wattage, substrate amount, plus CO₂, lighting, testing and water treatments. Each item links straight to the calculator that gives you the exact numbers. A friendly starting point for planning or budgeting a new aquarium.

New articleAcclimatising new fish

Released 14 July 2026

• ✦Do you really need to acclimatise new fish? What the science says — New guide: do you really need to acclimatise new fish? The science of temperature, osmotic shock and the hidden bag-ammonia trap — and why both fast and slow methods can be right.

New articleHow much light?

Released 14 July 2026

• ✦How much light do my aquarium plants actually need? — Everyone says a plant needs 'medium light' — few explain what that means. A new practical, science-backed guide to judging low, medium and high light without a PAR meter, and setting the right photoperiod.

New articlePlanting new plants

Released 11 July 2026

• ✦How to prepare and plant new aquarium plants — New guide: how to prepare and plant new aquarium plants — potted, tissue culture and clip-on epiphytes, plus what to do about early melt.

ImprovementTap to enlarge plant care-cards

Released 11 July 2026

• ✦Every plant profile's hero is a detailed care-card — now you can tap the "Enlarge card" button to open it full-size in a crisp, zoomable view, so all the light, CO₂ and water details are easy to read.

v3.259.0 — A more polished, premium feel

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦A round of finishing touches across the whole site: pages now fade smoothly from one to the next, text is crisper, calculator numbers hold steady as they change instead of jittering, buttons have a subtle press, and images ease in gracefully. Small things — but together they make AquaCalc feel noticeably more refined.

v3.258.0 — A smoother way to save your tank

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦The "Save / Sign in" button on your dashboard now opens a clean pop-up with a blurred background, instead of taking you to a separate page. Enter your email, get your one-time sign-in link, and carry on — without ever leaving your tank.

New articleBacopa monnieri

Released 9 July 2026

• ✦Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri): the tough round-leaved stem — Moneywort is one of the toughest stem plants you can buy — round, succulent leaves on upright stems that shrug off low light, hard water and neglect alike.

New articleAnubias barteri

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Anubias barteri: the bigger, bulletproof epiphyte — Anubias barteri is the full-size version of the famous nana — broad, leathery leaves on a creeping rhizome that thrives tied to wood in low light. Just never bury the rhizome.

New articleBlyxa japonica

Released 7 July 2026

• ✦Blyxa japonica: the grassy bush that blushes bronze — Blyxa japonica looks like a tuft of grass but behaves like a stem plant — forming neat rosette bushes that blush bronze-red under strong light. A Nature-style favourite.

New articleCabomba caroliniana

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana): the classic feathery bunch plant — Cabomba is the fan-leaved bunch plant every beginner recognises — soft, feathery and fast. It is also fussier than it looks. Here is how to keep it from melting.

New articleChristmas moss

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Christmas moss (Vesicularia montagnei): the drooping fir-tree moss — Christmas moss grows in dense, drooping fronds shaped like little fir trees — the reason for its name. Given cool, flowing water it makes one of the lushest mosses in the hobby.

New articleAponogeton crispus

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Aponogeton crispus: the easy crinkled bulb plant — Aponogeton crispus grows a fountain of long, wavy-edged leaves straight from a bulb — fast, easy and CO2-free. A great beginner specimen and a gentler cousin of the lace plant.

New articleBanana plant

Released 4 July 2026

• ✦Banana plant (Nymphoides aquatica): the curious tuber plant — The banana plant grows heart-shaped leaves from a cluster of fat, banana-like tubers at its base — a genuinely odd, easy novelty that needs nothing more than light.

New articleAfrican water fern

Released 2 July 2026

• ✦African water fern (Bolbitis heudelotii): the dark lace epiphyte — African water fern grows dark, finely divided fronds with an almost translucent quality, anchored to wood by a creeping rhizome. Slow, striking and undemanding on light.

New articleCryptocoryne balansae

Released 29 June 2026

• ✦Cryptocoryne balansae: the corrugated background crypt — Cryptocoryne balansae grows long, deeply corrugated ribbon leaves that sway like a background plant. Hardy, low-light tolerant and unusually happy in hard water.

New articleCryptocoryne parva

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Cryptocoryne parva: the smallest crypt — Cryptocoryne parva is the smallest crypt of all — a slow, tough little rosette that makes a low foreground clump in modest light. Patience is the only real requirement.

New articleGlossostigma

Released 28 June 2026

• ✦Glossostigma elatinoides: the demanding show carpet — Glosso is the bright, tight lawn behind countless competition aquascapes — and one of the more demanding carpets to grow. Here is what it actually takes to keep it low and lush.

New articleBrazilian pennywort

Released 27 June 2026

• ✦Brazilian pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala): the round-leaved climber — Brazilian pennywort is a fast, forgiving plant with round coin-shaped leaves that will grow planted, climbing up the tank, or floating across the surface — however you let it.

New articleHygrophila pinnatifida

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Hygrophila pinnatifida: the fern-leaved epiphyte stem — Hygrophila pinnatifida is the versatile one — serrated, fern-like leaves in bronze and red that you can plant in the substrate or, unusually for a stem, attach to wood and rock.

v3.257.0 — Smarter "no results" for search

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦When a search comes up empty, you now get a helpful nudge instead of a dead end: the term you searched, a few suggested picks to jump straight to, and a quick link to suggest whatever was missing. Applies to the nav search and both the Blog and Plant hubs.

v3.256.0 — Search anything from the top menu

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦A new search button in the navigation bar instantly finds any plant, article or tool as you type — with category pills to narrow results and full keyboard control (press ⌘K or "/" to open). Designed to feel fast and effortless on both mobile and desktop.

v3.255.0 — A premium redesign for the Blog and Plant hubs

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Both hub pages now share one polished layout — matching article and plant cards, the same search and filters, and a "show more" that keeps the page tidy. The Plants hub gains a Popular profiles list, and both pages get a consistent Coming soon preview of what we're working on next.

New articleCryptocoryne undulata

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Cryptocoryne undulata (Undulate crypt): the wavy-leaved easy crypt — Wavy, strap-like leaves in green to bronze make the undulate crypt one of the easier, faster Cryptocorynes — a tolerant, low-fuss root feeder for the midground.

New articleHottonia palustris

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Water violet (Hottonia palustris): the feathery temperate stem — A native European stem with soft feathery whorls — beautiful in cool water and unheated tanks, but a temperate plant that resents warm tropical setups.

New articleLobelia cardinalis

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower): the round-leaved midground with coloured undersides — Neat rows of rounded leaves — green above, reddish-purple below — make the small form of cardinal flower an easy, characterful midground once it settles in submersed.

New articleMicranthemum umbrosum

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Micranthemum umbrosum (Shade mudflower): the bright round-leaved carpet stem — Tiny round leaves on soft trailing stems make a fresh, bright midground or loose carpet — but the shade mudflower name is misleading: it wants light to stay compact.

ImprovementCleaner navigation menu

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Refreshed the top navigation — a tidier, more polished menu with everything grouped under Tools, Learn, Plants and a new More menu (About, Community, Changelog, FAQ, Feedback). The changelog is now reachable straight from the menu.

ImprovementChangelog: filter by type + email alerts

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦The changelog can now be filtered by Articles, Plants or Tools, and you can sign up to be emailed when something new ships — pick exactly which categories you want to hear about. Double opt-in, unsubscribe any time.

New articleWhen to dose

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Does it matter when you dose? Nutrient uptake in planted aquariums — Does it matter when you dose — and does dosing early feed the algae? A science-backed look at how aquarium plants take up nutrients through roots and leaves, and whether the timing of your dose changes anything.

ImprovementTank volume calculator: more hardscape, cleaner results

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Added more hardscape choices to the tank volume calculator — Ocean rock / Texas holey rock, Tufa, and five popular woods (Redmoor, Manzanita, Mopani, Malaysian driftwood, Cholla) — and tidied the results so the system-volume panel only appears when it tells you something new.

ImprovementPlant lookup: more species and smarter search

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Added twenty more plants to the plant lookup — popular shop staples like Micro Sword, Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini', Rotala 'Blood Red', Cryptocoryne 'Flamingo', Ludwigia glandulosa and Anubias congensis — made short names like "HC" searchable, and added a one-tap way to request any species that is still missing.

New articleAsian ambulia

Released 10 July 2026

• ✦Asian ambulia (Limnophila sessiliflora): the feathery fast stem — Asian ambulia is a soft, feathery background stem that grows fast without CO2 — a cheap, easy nutrient sponge that fills a tank quickly and looks great doing it.

New articleCO2 reactors

Released 9 July 2026

• ✦CO2 Reactors: Bubble-Free CO2 for the Planted Tank — New guide: CO2 Reactors — how to get CO2 into your tank with no bubbles at all. What a reactor is, the physics of how it dissolves the gas, and its pros and cons versus a diffuser.

New articleLudwigia super red

Released 9 July 2026

• ✦Ludwigia super red (Ludwigia palustris): the easy red stem — Ludwigia super red is the red plant beginners can actually keep red — deep crimson leaves without demanding high tech. Give it strong light and it colours up; CO2 is optional.

ImprovementTools upgrade: plant & fish discovery, running costs and water trends

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Plant lookup — browse by filter — narrow 140+ plants by placement, difficulty, light and CO₂ need, then open any result's full care profile. Open the tool
• ✦Fish lookup — compatibility checker — add two or more species and see whether their temperature, pH and hardness ranges overlap, plus the minimum tank size the group needs. Open the tool
• ✦Running-cost estimates — the CO₂ cylinder, substrate and fertiliser comparison calculators can now show what your setup costs to run — per month, per refill or as total spend.
• ✦Parameter log — trend callouts — the Charts tab now tells you how each parameter is changing over the selected range, e.g. "Nitrate up 42% over 30 days". Open the tool

New articleRotala macrandra

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Rotala macrandra: the giant red rotala that tests every scaper — The benchmark red stem plant — gloriously pink-red under strong light and CO2, and quick to melt or stunt when its water is not stable. What it actually needs.

New articlePogostemon stellatus

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Pogostemon stellatus (Octopus plant): the big-whorled background stem — A fast, striking background stem with whorls of narrow leaves that flush lilac at the tips — and a reputation for stunting the moment its nutrients or GH dip.

New articleMyriophyllum mattogrossense

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Myriophyllum mattogrossense: the feathery green foxtail for fast growth — Bright, feathery whorls and fast growth make the green foxtail a favourite for filling new tanks and soaking up spare nutrients — if you keep the iron up.

New articleLudwigia arcuata

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Ludwigia arcuata: the fine needle-leaf ludwigia that burns orange-red — Needle-fine leaves that turn from green to a fiery orange-red under strong light — a hardy North American stem that adds colour and delicate texture at once.

New articleLimnophila aromatica

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Limnophila aromatica: the purple-backed stem that started as a kitchen herb — Green on top, purple underneath, and far more forgiving than most colour stems — the same plant Southeast Asian cooks know as rice paddy herb.

New articleHygrophila corymbosa

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Hygrophila corymbosa (Temple plant): the easy big-leaved background stem — Big, bold, forgiving leaves on a fast-growing stem that tolerates low light and hard water — one of the best background plants for a beginner.

New articleMicro sword

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Micro sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis): the grassy carpet — Micro sword forms a short, bright, lawn-like carpet of narrow grassy blades that spreads by runners. Given strong light it is one of the neatest grassy foregrounds you can grow.

New articleDwarf four-leaf clover

Released 8 July 2026

• ✦Dwarf four-leaf clover (Marsilea hirsuta): the low-tech carpet — Marsilea hirsuta is the low-tech answer to a carpet — a hardy little fern that forms a clover-like lawn without CO2. It is slow, but about as forgiving as foreground plants get.

New toolFertiliser comparison calculator

Released 7 July 2026

• ✦Fertiliser comparison calculator — Compare branded aquarium plant fertilisers side by side and see exactly what each delivers — NPK and micronutrients in ppm — at the manufacturer's recommended dose or a dose you set, for any tank size. Stack products to see the combined total and compare N:P:K ratios. Open the tool

New articleThe Duckweed Index

Released 7 July 2026

• ✦The Duckweed Index: Reading Your Water Through a Floating Plant — New guide: The Duckweed Index — how a floating plant can tell you when your tank needs feeding, no test kit required. An admiring summary of Darrel (dw1305)'s UKAPS technique, with the science behind it.

New articleCrystalwort (Riccia)

Released 7 July 2026

• ✦Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans): the pearling carpet moss — Crystalwort is a bright floating liverwort that aquascapers tie down into a vivid green carpet — famous for pearling with oxygen bubbles under strong light and CO2.

New articleDissolved organics

Released 6 July 2026

• ✦Dissolved Organics in the Aquarium: What DOC Really Is and Whether It Deserves Its Bad Reputation — New guide: Dissolved Organics in the Aquarium — what dissolved organic carbon (DOC) actually is, whether it deserves its bad reputation, and control methods ranked by how well the science backs them.

New articleDwarf Hairgrass

Released 6 July 2026

• ✦Eleocharis parvula (Dwarf Hairgrass): the carpet that tests patience — Plant Insights: Eleocharis parvula (Dwarf Hairgrass)

New articleRotala wallichii

Released 6 July 2026

• ✦Rotala wallichii: the pink needle stem — Rotala wallichii is the delicate one — fine needle-leaf whorls that blush from pink to fiery red under strong light and CO2. One of the prettiest stems, and one of the fussier.

v3.171.0 — Clearer plant names + Coming soon

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Plant names now read consistently across the Plant Hub and articles: the common name leads, with the scientific name as a smaller subheading. A tidy "Coming soon" badge shows which profiles are on the way.

v3.167.0 — Smarter Plant Hub cards

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦The plant library cards now feature the plant illustration front and centre, making the Plant Hub far easier — and prettier — to browse.

New articleFloating fern (Salvinia)

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Floating fern (Salvinia natans): the water spangle floater — Salvinia natans is a floating fern that drifts across the surface in paired, velvety, water-repellent leaves — fast shade, strong nutrient export and easy cover for fry and shrimp.

New articleWater lettuce

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes): the big-rooted floater — Water lettuce floats like a little rosette of velvety green cabbage, trailing long feathery roots that shelter fry and strip nitrate. Given light and space, it grows fast.

New articleRed root floaters

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Red root floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans): the red surface jewel — Red root floaters are the jewel of the surface — small rounded leaves that blush deep red under strong light, trailing crimson roots. Beautiful, and a little demanding.

New articleMadagascar lace

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Madagascar lace plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis): living lattice — The Madagascar lace plant grows leaves that are pure lattice — a living skeleton of veins with no tissue between them. Spectacular, iconic, and genuinely demanding.

New articleGuppy grass

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Guppy grass (Najas guadalupensis): the breeder's best friend — Guppy grass is the breeder's secret weapon — a fast, bright-green tangle that floats or plants anywhere, shelters fry and shrimp, and strips waste from the water.

New articleDuckweed

Released 5 July 2026

• ✦Duckweed (Lemna minor): friend, foe and nutrient sponge — Duckweed is the tiny floating plant hobbyists both love and dread — a phenomenal nutrient sponge and free fish food, and almost impossible to fully remove once it arrives.

New articleMarimo moss ball

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Marimo moss ball (Aegagropila linnaei): care, cleaning and myths — Marimo moss ball (*Aegagropila linnaei*) — care, cleaning and myths for the ball-forming alga that is not moss

New articleAmazon frogbit

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Amazon frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum): the easy floating plant — Amazon frogbit (*Limnobium laevigatum*) — the easy floating plant for shade, fry cover and nitrate export

New articleWater sprite

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides): float it or plant it — Water sprite (*Ceratopteris thalictroides*) — the fast, lacy aquatic fern you can plant or float

New articleAnacharis

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Anacharis (Egeria densa): the classic beginner oxygenator — Anacharis (*Egeria densa*) — the classic fast-growing, cold-tolerant beginner oxygenator

New articleDwarf sagittaria

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Dwarf sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata): the low-tech carpet — Dwarf sagittaria (*Sagittaria subulata*) — the grassy foreground carpet that needs no CO2

New articleFilter Media Compared

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Aquarium Filter Media: What the Science Actually Says About Effectiveness — Aquarium filter media: what the science actually says — a myth-busting, evidence-led comparison of sponge, ceramic, sintered glass, bio-balls, K1 and porous rock, and why the marketing surface-area numbers rarely translate into real filtration.

New articleRotala rotundifolia

Released 3 July 2026

• ✦Rotala rotundifolia: the colour-shifting stem plant — Plant Insights: Rotala rotundifolia

v3.133.0 — Sync your tanks and tools across devices

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Set your tank up on the computer and pick it up on your phone at the tankside. Your dashboard profiles and your calculator inputs now sync across devices with your private sync code. Open the "Sync across your devices" panel on the dashboard, then open the sync link (or paste the code) on your other device — everything comes across. Still no account needed.

v3.132.0 — Install AquaCalc as an app

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦AquaCalc can now be installed to your phone or desktop home screen. It opens full-screen like an app, loads instantly, and your calculators and saved tank profiles keep working even offline. On Android and desktop you'll see an "Install" prompt; on iPhone, tap the Share button then "Add to Home Screen". Installing is optional — nothing changes if you'd rather keep using it in the browser.

New articleHC Cuba

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦HC Cuba (Hemianthus callitrichoides): the ultimate carpet plant — HC Cuba (*Hemianthus callitrichoides*) — the ultimate carpet plant care guide

New articleStaurogyne repens

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Staurogyne repens: the forgiving foreground plant — Staurogyne repens — the forgiving foreground plant that bridges carpet and midground

New articleAlternanthera reineckii

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Alternanthera reineckii: bringing red into the planted tank — Alternanthera reineckii — care guide for the hobby's most popular red stem plant

New articleBucephalandra

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Bucephalandra: the jewel plant from Borneo — Bucephalandra — care guide for the iridescent jewel plant from Borneo

New articleTiger lotus

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri): the statement bulb plant — Tiger Lotus (*Nymphaea zenkeri*) — care guide for the most dramatic bulb plant in the hobby

New articleWater wisteria

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis): the shape-shifting stem plant — Water wisteria (*Hygrophila difformis*) — the shape-shifting beginner stem plant

New articleDwarf hygro

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Hygrophila polysperma: the ultimate beginner stem plant — Hygrophila polysperma — the ultimate beginner stem plant care guide

New articleBacopa

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Bacopa caroliniana: the classic lemon-scented stem plant — Bacopa caroliniana — the lemon-scented slow-grower that holds its shape for weeks

New articleDownoi

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Pogostemon helferi (Downoi): the star-shaped foreground plant — Pogostemon helferi (Downoi) — the star-shaped foreground plant unlike anything else in the hobby

New articleFeeding guide

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Feeding Aquarium Fish: Food Types, Quantities and the Planted Tank Nitrogen Budget — New article: How to feed aquarium fish — food types, daily quantities by body weight, the ammonia production formula, and how overfeeding tips a planted tank into algae.

New articleHornwort

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum): the fast-growing water purifier — Hornwort (*Ceratophyllum demersum*) — care guide for the fastest-growing water purifier in the planted tank hobby

New articleVallisneria spiralis

Released 1 July 2026

• ✦Vallisneria spiralis: the original background plant — Plant Insights: Vallisneria spiralis

v3.124.0 — Plant Insights — a new home for plant species profiles

Released 30 June 2026

All 10 aquarium plant species profiles now live under /plants/ — a dedicated section with a searchable grid. The Blog section now contains only science and guide articles.

New articleCryptocoryne wendtii

Released 29 June 2026

• ✦Cryptocoryne wendtii: rosette, runner, survivor — Plant Insights: Cryptocoryne wendtii

New articleAnubias Nana

Released 29 June 2026

• ✦Anubias barteri var. nana: the indestructible epiphyte — Plant Insights: Anubias barteri var. nana

New articleChelated iron

Released 29 June 2026

• ✦Chelated iron in planted aquariums: why Fe-EDTA fails at neutral pH — New article: Chelated iron — why Fe-EDTA fails above pH 7.0 and which iron chelate actually works at your tank's pH, backed by 2025 peer-reviewed research.

v3.97.0 — All tools now remember your settings

Released 28 June 2026

• ✦Every calculator and lookup tool now saves your inputs and restores them when you return — your CO₂ cylinder weight, substrate dimensions, drop checker KH, filter media layers, and the last fish or plant you looked up are all remembered across visits.

New articleActive Substrates & CEC

Released 28 June 2026

• ✦Active substrates and CEC — the science of how aquarium soils work, how hard water degrades them faster, and what the peer-reviewed lake sediment research says about aged substrate and algae.

New articleSurface Agitation

Released 27 June 2026

• ✦Aquarium surface agitation — the physics of how oxygen enters aquarium water, including why experienced planted tank keepers can run a flat surface and why that same approach can be dangerous in other setups.

v3.79.0 — Fish and plant species lookup tools

Released 27 June 2026

• ✦Plant species lookup — search 140+ commonly kept aquarium plants by common or scientific name. Each result shows light requirement, CO₂ tier (following the Tropica none / beneficial / required system), temperature range, pH, hardness, growth rate, max height, placement and difficulty. Available at aquacalc.uk/plant-lookup.php.
• ✦Fish species lookup — search 180+ commonly kept aquarium fish by common or scientific name (including aliases like "GBR" for German Blue Ram). Each result shows temperature range, pH, hardness, max adult size, minimum tank length, lifespan, diet and origin. Available at aquacalc.uk/fish-lookup.php.

v3.42.0 — Parameter log: track your water quality over time

Released 24 June 2026

• ✦Parameter log — a new standalone tool for recording water test results and viewing them as graphs. Log nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, pH, calcium, magnesium, temperature, and more — at any time, at any interval. Supports multiple tanks, each with their own history. Choose a parameter, pick a date range, and see how your water quality changes over time. All data is saved to your browser and backed up to our server; use the Export CSV button to keep your own copy. Available at aquacalc.uk/parameter-log.php.

v3.30.0 — Weekly aquarium weather look-ahead

Released 24 June 2026

• ✦Weekly weather emails — subscribe from the heatwave article to receive a 7-day outdoor temperature forecast for your location every Sunday at noon. Risk levels are calibrated to aquarium stress thresholds, not human comfort: Good (below 25°C), Warming (25–27°C), and Extreme (28°C+). Weather emails use a separate unsubscribe link — cancelling them does not affect your newsletter subscription.

v3.27.0 — Individual pages for each calculator

Released 24 June 2026

• ✦Tank volume calculator now has its own page at aquacalc.uk/tank-volume-calculator.php — with guides on why nominal tank sizes overestimate true water volume, how hardscape displaces water, and the difference between net water volume and true system volume.
• ✦Substrate calculator at aquacalc.uk/substrate-calculator.php — with guidance on substrate depth, sloped Nature Aquarium layouts, and why bag counts vary so much between brands.
• ✦CO₂ cylinder runtime estimator at aquacalc.uk/co2-cylinder-calculator.php — with step-by-step instructions on how to weigh a cylinder and read the tare weight, plus an explanation of why diffuser type has such a large effect on runtime.
• ✦Filter capacity calculator at aquacalc.uk/filter-capacity-calculator.php — with a plain-English explanation of why ceramic rings underperform foam, and why stocking by fish count rather than fish weight leads to undersized filtration.
• ✦Drop checker colour guide at aquacalc.uk/drop-checker-guide.php — with an explanation of the 1–2 hour lag, when adjacent colours become indistinguishable, and why reference solution KH changes the entire colour scale.

v3.26.0 — Aquarium heat forecast tool

Released 24 June 2026

• ✦Aquarium heat forecast. Enter any city worldwide (or use your device location) to see a 14-day temperature outlook with three aquarium-specific risk levels: Good, Warming, and Extreme. Thresholds are set at the temperatures where tank water, fish behaviour, and dissolved oxygen are actually affected — not human comfort levels. Includes a plain-English guide on cooling methods, dissolved oxygen, and which species are most at risk. Available at aquacalc.uk/aquarium-heat-forecast.php.

v3.10.0 — Fish species lookup

Released 22 June 2026

• ✦Fish species lookup tool. Search for any aquarium fish by common or scientific name and see its ideal water parameters at a glance — temperature range, pH, hardness, maximum adult size, minimum tank length, origin, diet, and whether it needs to be kept in a group. Data sourced from FishBase, the world's most comprehensive fish database. Available at aquacalc.uk/fish-lookup.php and in the nav under Tools.

v3.9.0 — UK heatwave alert banner

Released 22 June 2026

• ✦Automatic heatwave warning banner. When UK weather forecasts show temperatures of 28 °C or above in the next 7 days, a banner appears at the top of every page linking to the heat stress guide. It disappears automatically when temperatures drop back below the threshold — no action needed on your part.

v3.8.0 — New article: Heat stress in aquariums

Released 22 June 2026

• ✦New article: Heat stress in aquariums. The science of why extreme summer temperatures are dangerous for fish — covering the oxygen squeeze (water holds less dissolved oxygen as temperature rises, while fish metabolic rate increases), how ammonia becomes more toxic in hot water, the limits of the biological filter under heat, and what the evidence actually says about cooling strategies like fans, frozen bottles and water changes. Confidence levels are clearly stated throughout, distinguishing proven physics from anecdotally reported methods.

v3.7.0 — Tank Datasheet

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Tank Datasheet — a new tab on the dashboard where you can record your fish and plant lists, filter and light model, CO₂ setup, and any notes. Your water parameters (volume, KH, GH, TDS, pH, CO₂) are pulled in automatically from your profile and always stay up to date.
• ✦Copy for forum — generates a clean, formatted text block of your entire tank profile, ready to paste into any forum help thread or send to a shop.
• ✦Print / PDF — prints just the datasheet as a single clean page. Use your browser's "Save as PDF" option to keep a permanent copy.
• ✦Share link — creates a private link you can share with anyone. The recipient can see your full tank profile without needing an account. Your data never leaves your device — it's encoded in the link itself.
• ✦Backup code — each profile is now linked to a unique code. Save it somewhere safe (a notes app or password manager). If you ever clear your browser fully, enter the code to restore all your profiles on any device.

v3.6.0 — New article: Plant melt explained

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦New article: Plant melt explained. Why aquarium plants dissolve after planting, the biology behind emersed vs. submersed leaf growth, what crypt melt is, tissue culture plant transitions, and a clear guide to telling normal melt from something actually wrong. Includes a timeline illustration and practical advice.

v3.2.0 — Better reading experience on all articles

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Reading progress bar. A slim gradient bar at the very top of the screen fills as you scroll through each article, so you always know how far through you are.
• ✦Table of contents in the article sidebar. Long articles now show a clickable "In this article" list in the right sidebar. Each entry jumps smoothly to that section, and the current section highlights in blue as you read.
• ✦Copy link button on every article. A "Copy link" button in the sidebar copies the article URL to your clipboard in one click — handy for sharing in forums or Discord.

v3.1.0 — Blog search

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Search on the blog page. An instant search bar above the All Articles grid lets you filter by keyword or topic as you type. Matched words highlight in each result card, and a counter shows how many articles match.

v3.0.0 — Blog redesign: Trending section

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Trending section on the blog page. The blog now shows three sections — Latest, Trending, and All Articles — each with a clear section header. Trending highlights the two most-read articles in a wider featured card alongside a standard card, making it easier to find the content other readers find most useful.

v2.9.4 — Lily pipe placement guide expanded

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Lily pipe placement article — inlet placement and common questions added. A new section directly answers the questions asked most often about lily pipe and filter setup: should the outlet go at the front or back of the tank (and why it always belongs at the back); should the filter inlet be on the same side as the outlet or the opposite side (opposite — same-side placement causes short-circuiting that leaves half the tank underserved); how far apart they should be; and what height the inlet should sit at. The quick-reference checklist has been updated to include all inlet rules.

v2.9.3 — Water changes article

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦New article: Water changes — frequency, volume, and the fear of killing fish. Covers what water changes actually do, the dilution maths of nitrate control, when planted tanks change the equation, how old tank syndrome (not water change volume) explains almost every reported fish death after a large change, and an honest account of where the science is still unclear. Includes a practical framework for dialling in the right volume for your setup.

v2.8.8 — Blog content safety update

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Black beard algae guide — invertebrate safety warnings added. Both the hydrogen peroxide and glutaraldehyde treatment sections now include a clear warning that these treatments are harmful to shrimp, snails, and other invertebrates at spot-treatment doses. The quick reference box also highlights this. Remove invertebrates before treating and wait at least an hour before returning them.
• ✦CO₂ stability guide — sensitive fish species noted. The 40 ppm ceiling now includes a note that sensitive species such as discus and some smaller tetras may benefit from a lower personal limit of around 30 ppm.

v2.8.0 — CO₂ curve analysis for the pH Monitor

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Analyse curve — once you have pH readings logged in the pH Monitor, a purple "Analyse curve" button appears in the log controls. Clicking it opens a full analysis report for your CO₂ session.
• ✦The report gives an overall verdict (Excellent / Good / Needs work / Poor / Critical) and a row of session stats: peak CO₂, minimum, average, and percentage of readings above the effective photosynthesis floor. The CO₂ curve from your session is shown at the top for visual reference.
• ✦Individual findings are listed below the stats — each with a plain-English explanation and a specific suggested action. Findings cover: mid-session crashes, danger levels exceeded, CO₂ too low overall, CO₂ low at lights-on, target not reached, oscillating profile, declining session after peak, CO₂ reaching the effective range late, no crashes detected, good range reached, and smooth consistent curve.
• ✦Works in both KH formula mode and pH drop mode. Drop mode sessions are clearly noted as estimated values. The report links to the CO₂ stability guide for further reading.

v2.7.0 — Two new guides: lily pipe placement and black beard algae

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Lily pipe placement guide — a full guide to the geometry of filter outlet positioning, covering the Coanda effect, how a back-corner placement creates a single whole-tank gyre, and the common placement mistakes that leave corners stagnant. Includes four animated flow diagrams showing particles circulating under different outlet positions and angles.
• ✦Black beard algae guide — an evidence-based guide to BBA. Explains what BBA actually is (red macroalgae, not cyanobacteria), discusses the CO₂ fluctuation hypothesis honestly, and covers effective treatments including H₂O₂ and glutaraldehyde spot treatment.

v2.6.3 — New rock types in the tank calculator

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Four new rock types in the hardscape dropdown — Elderly Stone, Black Elderly Stone, Manten Stone (ADA), and Zebra Rock. Displacement figures are derived from published mineral density data.

v2.6.0 — Blog home page and article restructure

Released 21 June 2026

• ✦Blog home page — aquacalc.uk/blog/ now shows a dedicated index with a large hero card for the latest article and a grid of all others below it. The hero card updates automatically when new articles are published.

• ✦Clean article URLs — all articles now live at clean URLs under /blog/. Old URLs permanently redirect so bookmarks and search rankings are preserved.
• ✦Restructured Learn menu — the desktop Learn dropdown is now split into Articles and Reference sections. The pH Monitor guide has moved into the Tools dropdown.

v2.5.2 — Flow article: interactive surface movement visualiser

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦Interactive surface movement visualiser in the flow article — three animated panels showing too-still, healthy, and too-choppy surface movement. Toggle between a side profile and a top-down view. A torch test toggle shows how each surface condition reflects light differently.

v2.5.1 — Flow article: choppy surface at low turnover

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦New section in the flow article — a highlighted callout addressing the common situation where a surface is choppy despite low turnover, explaining why this is almost always a placement issue rather than a flow rate problem.

v2.5.0 — Hardscape & system volume in tank calculator

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦Hardscape displacement — select your rock type and enter its weight; the calculator subtracts estimated water displacement automatically. Covers 13 common rock types plus a manual entry option for anything else.
• ✦External filter volume — add the water volume inside your canister filter. This adds to your system volume since CO₂ needs to saturate all water in the full system, not just the tank.
• ✦True system volume result — a new panel shows the combined result with a clear breakdown of what changed from net water volume.
• ✦Send to dashboard — a one-click button pre-fills the Tank volume field in the pH Monitor when you open the dashboard.

v2.4.9 — Planted tank flow guide

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦Flow in a planted tank guide — covers where the 10× turnover rule actually came from, what peer-reviewed research says about flow and CO₂ uptake at the leaf level, why flow pattern matters more than total volume, how to tell whether your tank has too little or too much circulation, and practical steps to fix dead spots.

v2.4.6 — Drop checker colour accuracy

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦Drop checker colour rendering — the colour swatches now use smooth interpolation between real indicator colour anchors, so adjacent CO₂ values that genuinely look similar in a real checker appear similar in the tool. A warning now appears automatically when your KH setting puts several values in a visually indistinguishable range, with a prompt to switch to pH monitoring for precise readings at those levels.

v2.4.4 — CO₂ stability guide

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦What "stable CO₂" actually means guide — covers the science behind CO₂ variation in planted tanks, why a gradual rise from 20 to 30 ppm through the photoperiod is perfectly normal, and what genuinely causes algae problems — sudden crashes and inconsistent timing, not gentle ramps.

v2.4.3 — About page

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦About page — covers the story behind AquaCalc, our commitment to keeping everything free and private, our passion for planted tanks and fishkeeping, and the community spirit that shaped the project.

v2.4.0 — Profile export and import

Released 20 June 2026

• ✦Export your profile — a ↓ Export button downloads your entire profile as a backup file: all tank settings, RO mixer parameters, dosing preferences and saved pH readings.
• ✦Import a profile — an ↑ Import button loads a previously exported file immediately. If a profile with that name already exists, you're asked whether to overwrite or keep both.

v2.3.1 — Reading alerts + countdown timer

Released June 2026

• ✦Alerts toggle — a new Alerts button appears in the log controls after you click Generate (desktop only). Toggle it on to be notified at each reading slot; toggle it off to cancel.
• ✦Desktop notifications — an OS-level notification fires at the exact time of each scheduled reading. Works on Mac and Windows in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Slots you've already filled are skipped automatically.
• ✦In-page banner — an amber banner appears inside the tab at each reading time, so you're covered even if notifications are blocked.
• ✦Live countdown — a countdown beneath the log shows "Next reading (HH:MM) in MM:SS", ticking every second.

v2.3.0 — pH Monitor guide + "How it works" in dashboard

Released June 2026

• ✦pH Monitor guide — a full walkthrough covering setup, logging readings, understanding the CO₂ curve, when to use KH formula vs pH drop mode, what the status badges mean, and how to share a session. Available in the Tools menu.
• ✦"How it works" button in the dashboard — opens the guide in a panel inside the dashboard without leaving the page. Content loads once and stays cached while you're on the page.

v2.2.2 — Share button redesign + home page promotion

Released June 2026

• ✦Share session button is now blue — stands out clearly alongside the Generate and Clear controls.
• ✦Session sharing featured on the home page — a new section shows what a shared session page looks like, with an example.

v2.2.0 — Session sharing

Released June 2026

• ✦Share your session — once you have readings in the pH log, a "↗ Share session" button generates a unique link you can paste on a forum, Reddit, or anywhere. Whoever opens it sees your pH and CO₂ charts, the complete colour-coded readings table, and your tank parameters. Links expire after 90 days.

v2.1.5 — Dashboard usability improvements

Released June 2026

• ✦Generate now confirms before clearing readings — a prompt appears instead of silently resetting your log.
• ✦Tab key jumps between pH inputs — skips the event dropdown and moves straight to the next pH field.
• ✦Enter key advances the setup wizard — pressing Enter moves to the next step; Escape cancels.
• ✦Empty log shows a prompt — a short hint tells new users to click Generate when no table has been generated yet.
• ✦Click the CO₂ card to copy — clicking the Latest CO₂ value at the top of the dashboard copies it to the clipboard.
• ✦RO Mixer slider hint — a subtle "drag to mix" hint appears the first time you use it, then disappears once you move the slider.

v2.1.4 — Related article links across guides

Released June 2026

• ✦Guides now link to each other where relevant — the planted tank guide, chlorine guide, comammox article and FAQ all now cross-link at natural points in the text.

v2.1.3 — More event options in the session log

Released June 2026

• ✦Expanded event dropdown — the Event column now includes: pH reading, CO₂ on, CO₂ off, Lights on, and Lights off. CO₂ off and Lights off are shown in amber to visually separate end-of-session events from start-of-session ones.

v2.1.2 — pH session log readings auto-save

Released June 2026

• ✦Readings in the session log now survive a page refresh — pH values are saved automatically about one second after each entry, with the usual "Saved" confirmation shown.

v2.1.1 — Comammox guide

Released June 2026

• ✦Comammox — Complete Ammonia Oxidation guide — covers the 2015 discovery that certain Nitrospira bacteria can perform the entire ammonia-to-nitrate process on their own. Explains what this means for how aquarium filters actually work, why cycling sometimes looks unusual, and how to read the marketing claims that followed the discovery.

v2.1.0 — Chlorine & Chloramines guide

Released June 2026

• ✦Chlorine & Chloramines in Tap Water guide — covers what water companies add to tap water and why, how chlorine and chloramines damage fish (and why chloramines are harder to remove), what actually works to neutralise them and what doesn't, and how to look up your own water company's levels.

• ✦Learn menu restructured — desktop and mobile menus now group articles under a "Guides & articles" heading to make room for future additions.

v2.0.5 — Live CO₂ card

Released June 2026

• ✦CO₂ card updates as you log readings — the large CO₂ value and status badge at the top of the dashboard now respond to each pH reading you enter in the session log, rather than only updating when you change main settings.

v2.0.4 — New profile setup wizard

Released June 2026

• ✦Guided profile setup wizard — a 4-step wizard appears when you create a new profile, so the numbers are right from the start instead of needing a manual tour of all the fields.

- Step 1 — Tank basics: tank volume, filter volume, water temperature.

- Step 2 — Water hardness: KH in dKH, plus optional GH and tap water TDS.

- Step 3 — Water source: choose Tap only, RO/DI mix, or Pure RO/DI.

- Step 4 — CO₂ setup: substrate type, target CO₂ ppm, and optional overnight pH.

• ✦Every step has a Skip button. You can also close the wizard at any point and the dashboard loads with whatever you've filled in so far.

v2.0.3 — RO Mixer improvements

Released June 2026

• ✦UK water report conversion guide — a note in the RO Mixer explains how to convert from the units UK water companies use in their reports (phosphorus rather than phosphate, calcium as CaCO₃, etc.).
• ✦Ca:Mg ratio shown in results — when you have both Calcium and Magnesium, the mixed water Ca:Mg ratio appears with a plain-language note on the ideal range (3:1 to 5:1).
• ✦Dangerous parameters now flagged clearly — Copper, Ammonia and Nitrite show a ⚠ Danger badge when they cross acute toxicity thresholds.

• ✦Mixed KH now feeds into the pH Monitor automatically — the same way mixed TDS already synced across. A "⇔ RO Mixer" badge shows when a value has been synced from the mixer.

v2.0.2 — pH Monitor accuracy and new inputs

Released June 2026

• ✦pH probe calibration offset — enter a correction value if your probe reads slightly high or low. All pH readings across the dashboard are adjusted before calculations.
• ✦User-configurable CO₂ safety limit — set your own limit between 20 and 60 ppm. Alerts, row highlights and badges all update accordingly.
• ✦Reading interval selector — choose 15, 30 or 60-minute intervals for the session log.

• ✦Temperature now factored into calculations — CO₂ and target pH calculations adjust for your actual water temperature. Colder water holds more CO₂ at the same pH, so results in cool tanks are now meaningfully more accurate.
• ✦KH now entered in dKH — the KH field takes dKH directly with a conversion reminder shown inline.

v2.0.0 — Home page redesign

Released June 2026

• ✦New feature showcase — the features section is now a two-tab interactive showcase. "Dashboard tools" covers the pH Monitor, RO Mixer, and Dosing & Water Change; "Calculators" covers Tank Volume, Substrate, CO₂ Runtime, Drop Checker and Filter Capacity. Each tool has a realistic dark UI preview, a headline, bullet points, and a direct link.

v1.9.0 — Navigation restructure

Released June 2026

• ✦Nav simplified to four items — Tools (dropdown), Learn (dropdown), Changelog, and Feedback.
• ✦Tools dropdown — two-column layout covering all dashboard tools and standalone calculators, each linking directly to the relevant tool.

v1.8.0 — Home page refresh

Released June 2026

• ✦Hero headline — larger type with mixed font weights for stronger visual hierarchy.
• ✦Features section tiered — six headline features keep full card treatment; the remaining seven move into a compact "Also included" block, reducing page length while keeping all tools visible.
• ✦Navigation dropdowns — more spacious with better spacing and larger icon boxes.

v1.7.0 — Planted tank guide

Released June 2026

• ✦Planted tank guide — a long-form article covering the history of aquascaping, major tank styles (iwagumi, Nature Aquarium, Dutch, biotope, blackwater), and the science behind CO₂, RO mixing and dosing. Links to relevant AquaCalc tools throughout.

• ✦Redesigned navigation — the desktop menu now uses two grouped dropdowns (Dashboard and Learn) instead of a long row of separate links.

v1.6.0 — Filter capacity calculator

Released June 2026

• ✦Filter capacity calculator — enter your filter media types and face areas to calculate total biological surface area and the maximum fish weight your filtration can support. Covers foam, K1, ceramic rings, lava rock, bio-balls, under-gravel gravel and custom media. Four filtration goals: ammonia control only, healthy fish, sensitive or blackwater fish, and crystal clear water.

v1.5.0 — Substrate calculator

Released June 2026

• ✦Substrate calculator — calculate how much substrate to buy for any tank shape and desired depth. Supports flat and sloped layouts with built-in data for ADA Amazonia, Tropica Aquarium Soil, Fluval Stratum, UNS Controsoil, JBL Manado, Seachem Flourite, sand and gravel. Returns volume in litres, weight in kg and number of bags with leftover calculation.

v1.4.0 — Aquarium calculators

Released June 2026

• ✦Tank volume calculator — any tank shape: rectangle, bowfront, hexagon, corner, cylinder and sphere. Adjustable fill level and substrate depth. Outputs in litres, US gallons and UK gallons.
• ✦CO₂ cylinder runtime estimator — enter your remaining CO₂ weight, bubble rate, daily hours and diffuser type to see days remaining and your estimated run-out date with a 7-day reorder buffer.
• ✦Drop checker colour reference — shows the exact colour, CO₂ ppm and checker pH at every level from 5 to 50+ ppm, personalised to your reference solution KH.
• ✦Dedicated tools page — all standalone calculators now live at /tools and are accessible from the main navigation.

v1.3.0 — Dosing & Water Change calculator

Released June 2026

• ✦Fertiliser dosing calculator — exact dose amounts for EI, PPS-Pro and lean dosing methods. Supports the full Seachem liquid range plus common dry salts (KNO₃, KH₂PO₄, K₂SO₄, MgSO₄, CaCl₂, CaSO₄, CSM+B). Custom fertilisers supported.
• ✦Water change calculator — calculate the percentage and volume needed to bring any parameter to your target. Uses your RO Mixer values as the replacement water chemistry. Multi-change breakdown table shows how many 25%, 30% or 50% changes are needed.
• ✦Weekly dosing schedule — each result includes a full day-by-day schedule for your chosen dosing method.

v1.2.0 — RO Water Mixer

Released June 2026

• ✦RO Mixer tab — mix tap water and RO/DI water in any ratio and see the resulting chemistry live.
• ✦Dynamic chemistry table — add any water parameter from a searchable list of 25+ macro and micro nutrients. Custom parameters supported.
• ✦Mini charts per parameter — each parameter shows a small bar chart with tap, RO/DI and mixed values against the target range.
• ✦Standard / EI range toggle — switch between standard planted tank ranges and Estimative Index targets.
• ✦Mixed TDS syncs to the pH Monitor automatically.

v1.1.0 — pH Drop mode & aquasoil support

Released June 2026

• ✦pH drop calculation mode — for aquasoil and buffering substrates where the standard KH formula gives unreliable results. Estimates CO₂ from how far pH has dropped from the overnight baseline, with no KH required.
• ✦Mode toggle — switch between KH formula and pH drop method with one click. Saves per profile.
• ✦Estimated CO₂ shown in drop mode — approximate ppm shown alongside the pH drop, clearly labelled as an estimate.

v1.0.0 — Initial release

Released June 2026

• ✦pH Monitor — log pH readings every 30 minutes from CO₂-on to lights-on and track dissolved CO₂ build-up in real time.
• ✦KH / pH / CO₂ formula — calculate dissolved CO₂ from KH, temperature and pH.
• ✦Session log table — configurable time slots, event markers, progress bars and status badges per reading.
• ✦Safety alerts — automatic banners and row highlights when CO₂ exceeds your target, and a prominent danger alert above 40 ppm.
• ✦pH and CO₂ charts — live session charts with target line and danger threshold.
• ✦Tank flow calculations — turnover rate, cycle time and total flow from filter and wavemaker inputs.
• ✦Named profiles — create named profiles per tank with auto-save to your browser.
• ✦Dark mode UI — fully dark dashboard throughout.