Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how AquaticDepths collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit our website. We are committed to maintaining transparency about our data practices while safeguarding your privacy.

Who We Are

AquaticDepths is an aquascaping and planted aquarium website operated by a group of aquarium hobbyists based in the United States. Our website address is: aquaticdepths.com

For privacy-related questions or concerns, please contact us at: [email protected]

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Leave comments on our articles
  • Subscribe to our email newsletter
  • Contact us via email or contact forms
  • Participate in surveys, contests, or community discussions

This may include your name, email address, username, and any information you choose to include in your communications with us.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type and operating system
  • Pages visited and navigation patterns
  • Time spent on pages
  • Referring website
  • Approximate geographic location (country and city level)
  • Date and time of access

This information helps us understand how visitors interact with our website and improve the user experience.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Consent: When you subscribe to our newsletter, leave comments, accept cookies, or submit contact forms, you provide explicit consent for us to process that information.

Legitimate Interests: We process certain data based on legitimate business interests that do not override your privacy rights, including:

  • Analyzing website traffic to improve aquascaping content and resources
  • Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
  • Operating the technical aspects of the website
  • Generating revenue through affiliate marketing and advertising
  • Building and maintaining our aquascaping community

Legal Obligation: We may retain certain information to comply with applicable laws, such as tax regulations related to affiliate earnings.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to your comments, questions, and inquiries about aquascaping
  • Send newsletters and updates to subscribers
  • Improve website content, functionality, and user experience
  • Analyze website usage patterns and visitor behavior
  • Maintain website security and prevent abuse
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences and understand how you interact with the site.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Necessary for basic website functionality. These cannot be disabled without affecting your ability to use the site.

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website through services like Google Analytics. These cookies collect information about page visits, user journeys, and site interaction.

Advertising Cookies: Used by advertising networks such as Google AdSense to display relevant advertisements based on your browsing behavior.

Affiliate Cookies: Enable us to earn commission when you make purchases through our affiliate links to aquarium equipment and supplies. These cookies track that a sale originated from our website.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

  • View and delete cookies
  • Block cookies from specific websites
  • Block all third-party cookies
  • Clear cookies when closing your browser

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience.

For detailed information about managing cookies in different browsers:

Third-Party Services

We work with several third-party services that process data on our behalf. These services have been selected for their reliability and commitment to data protection.

Google Analytics

Purpose: To analyze website traffic and understand visitor behavior.

Data Collected: Anonymized IP addresses, pages visited, session duration, device information, geographic location.

Privacy Controls: You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Privacy Compliance: Google Analytics is configured to anonymize IP addresses and complies with applicable data protection regulations.

Google AdSense

Purpose: To display advertisements that help support our website operations.

Data Collected: Cookie data, browsing behavior, ad interaction metrics.

Privacy Controls: Manage your ad preferences at Google Ad Settings or use ad-blocking browser extensions.

Affiliate Networks

We participate in the following affiliate programs:

  • Affiliate Window (Awin)
  • FlexOffers
  • Commission Junction (CJ)
  • ShareASale
  • Webgains

Purpose: To earn commission on aquarium products and equipment we recommend.

Data Collected: Cookie data to track referrals and purchases. No personally identifiable information is shared through our site.

Privacy Controls: Block third-party cookies through your browser settings.

Email Service Provider

Purpose: To manage our subscriber list and deliver newsletters about aquascaping techniques and updates.

Data Collected: Email address, name (if provided), subscription date, email engagement data.

Privacy Controls: Every email includes an unsubscribe link for immediate opt-out.

Web Hosting Provider

Purpose: To host our website and maintain its availability.

Data Collected: Server logs including IP addresses, access times, and requested resources.

Security: Our hosting provider maintains secure servers and follows industry-standard security practices.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access

Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

Right to Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

Right to Erasure

Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.

Right to Restrict Processing

Request limitation on how we process your data in certain circumstances.

Right to Data Portability

Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

Right to Object

Object to our processing of your data, particularly for direct marketing purposes.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: [email protected]

Please include:

  • Your full name
  • Your email address
  • Specific details of your request
  • Any information that will help us locate your data

We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request. For complex requests, we may require additional time and will inform you accordingly.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for all website communications
  • Secure hosting with reputable providers
  • Regular security updates and patches
  • Restricted access to personal information
  • Strong password protocols

While we employ industry-standard security measures, no internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but maintain reasonable protections for your data.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:

Email Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe.

Comments: Indefinitely unless you request deletion. Comments contribute to the aquascaping community discussion on our articles.

Contact Form Submissions: Typically 12-24 months unless you request earlier deletion.

Analytics Data: 26 months, consistent with Google Analytics default settings.

Cookie Data: Varies by cookie type; most expire after 12-24 months.

Financial Records: As required by law, typically 7 years for tax-related documentation.

International Data Transfers

Our website is hosted in the United States. If you access our site from outside the US, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.

For visitors from the European Union, European Economic Area, or United Kingdom, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers, including:

  • Working with service providers that comply with EU-US data transfer frameworks
  • Implementing Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable
  • Ensuring third-party processors maintain adequate data protection measures

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us at [email protected] and we will promptly delete such information.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

Right to Know: Request information about the personal data we have collected about you.

Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal data.

Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (though we do not sell personal information).

Right to Non-Discrimination: You will not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected] with “CCPA Request” in the subject line.

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union, European Economic Area, or United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation. Please see our GDPR Compliance page for detailed information about your rights and how we comply with GDPR requirements.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will:

  • Notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay
  • Provide information about the nature of the breach
  • Explain the likely consequences and remedial actions
  • Comply with all applicable notification requirements

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes:

  • The “Last Updated” date at the top will be revised
  • Significant changes will be prominently announced on our website
  • Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including aquarium equipment retailers, product manufacturers, and other aquascaping resources. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Email Communications

If you subscribe to our email list:

  • We will send only content updates and information related to aquascaping and planted aquariums
  • We will not share your email address with third parties for their marketing purposes
  • Every email includes an unsubscribe link
  • Unsubscribing is immediate and requires no further action

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Email: [email protected]
Response Time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5 business days

When contacting us about privacy matters, please include “Privacy Inquiry” or “Data Request” in the subject line to ensure prompt handling.

Supervisory Authority

If you are located in the EU/EEA/UK and believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Summary

This Privacy Policy explains that we:

  • Collect minimal personal data necessary for website operation and community engagement
  • Use cookies for analytics, advertising, and affiliate tracking
  • Work with reputable third-party services
  • Respect your privacy rights under applicable laws
  • Implement appropriate security measures
  • Retain data only as long as necessary
  • Provide clear methods for exercising your rights

We are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining transparency about our data practices. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected].