WaterPuppy is an independent editorial publisher covering home aquarium guides & gear reviews. Articles are researched, fact-checked, and published under team bylines.
About these bylines (please read)
The names that appear on the byline of each article — "WaterPuppy Editorial Team" — are pen names for the editorial team and writing/research desks behind this site, not individual licensed professionals. We chose this approach because we publish a high volume of content and want to be honest about how it's produced rather than fabricate individual authorship. We are hobbyist researchers, not veterinarians or marine biologists. For fish disease or health emergencies, consult an aquatic veterinarian.
Our editorial mission
We help readers make confident everyday decisions in our niche. We do this by combining first-hand product testing, careful source synthesis, and fact-checking against reputable sources and manufacturer documentation. We write for people who want practical answers grounded in evidence — not advertising copy dressed up as a "review."
How we research and update articles
- Topic selection. Topics come from real reader questions and gaps in existing coverage. We do not accept paid placement, ever.
- Research and drafting. A lead writer researches the topic using primary sources — peer-reviewed papers, manufacturer spec sheets, and our own hands-on product testing — and drafts the article.
- Fact-check. We verify product claims and statistics against manufacturer specs and reputable sources. Anything we cannot verify gets cut.
- Clinical/safety routing. Where guidance touches on regulated areas (medical advice, prescription diets, behavior modification for severe issues), we route the relevant claim to an actual licensed professional for review before publish, or we explicitly defer to "consult your vet/trainer".
- Live updates. Articles get reviewed at least every 12 months. When new evidence or product information emerges sooner, we update immediately and log the change. Each article displays its "Last updated" date.
Our editorial desks
The desks below describe how we structure the work — not individual people. Each represents the rotating team of researchers and editors who handle that topic area.
Affiliate disclosure
WaterPuppy is supported by reader subscriptions and affiliate partnerships with retailers including Amazon Associates and a small number of independent merchants. When you buy a product after clicking a link from our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend. We have rejected products and pulled recommendations after testing revealed safety concerns, even when commission rates were attractive. Affiliate links are marked with rel="sponsored" per FTC and search-engine guidelines.
Correction policy
We make mistakes. When we do, we fix them quickly, transparently, and on the record:
- Material corrections (any error affecting a recommendation, claim, or fact) are appended to the article in a clearly-labeled "Updated" note that includes the date and what changed.
- Reader-reported errors get acknowledged within two business days and corrected within five business days when verifiable.
- Spot a problem? Email us via the contact page with the URL and the specific claim. We read every message.
Independence and funding
No sponsor decides what we cover. Our editorial calendar is set by reader interest, search demand, and unanswered questions in our niche. We do not accept paid placements, "sponsored reviews," or product samples in exchange for coverage. We do occasionally accept products on long-term loan for testing purposes — these are disclosed in the article when they appear in a recommendation.
Get in touch
Tip, correction, or partnership inquiry? Visit our contact page. We aim to reply within two business days.