Updated: November 11, 2026
ScapeCrunch AI Use Policy
Background: ScapeCrunch is a community of people whose hobby is planted aquariums and aquatic plants. We share OUR experiences and knowledge with others and, as such, this community is literally built by us for us.
ScapeCrunch is owned by a public charity for not-for-profit purposes. It's mission is to promote the hobby and aquatic plants for the general good. However, we believe that it is important for commercial ventures that serve the hobby to be involved with the community, as products and science are necessary for the hobby to grow and expand.
AI Use Policy: As new technology continues to evolve, ScapeCrunch must evolve along with it. This AI Use Policy is designed to help maintain what makes ScapeCrunch a great community while understanding the benefits, and limits, of AI.
Non-exhaustive allowed uses of AI:
Non-exhaustive NOT allowed uses of AI:
If you spot a post that you believe violates this policy, please report it. Do not confront the member as it may not be a bot. Thank you!
ScapeCrunch AI Use Policy
Background: ScapeCrunch is a community of people whose hobby is planted aquariums and aquatic plants. We share OUR experiences and knowledge with others and, as such, this community is literally built by us for us.
ScapeCrunch is owned by a public charity for not-for-profit purposes. It's mission is to promote the hobby and aquatic plants for the general good. However, we believe that it is important for commercial ventures that serve the hobby to be involved with the community, as products and science are necessary for the hobby to grow and expand.
AI Use Policy: As new technology continues to evolve, ScapeCrunch must evolve along with it. This AI Use Policy is designed to help maintain what makes ScapeCrunch a great community while understanding the benefits, and limits, of AI.
Non-exhaustive allowed uses of AI:
- Searching and posting results - it is perfectly fine to use an AI system to search, like we used to do with Google, and paste the results on the site. However, please don't pass it off as coming from you. Indicate it is the result of an AI search.
- Improving your written English - many people, especially non-English speakers, use AI to translate their posts. This is perfectly fine. It is good practice to have something at the end of the post or in your signature that indicates you are using AI to translate.
- AI images (within reason) - it's fun to use AI to create images that convey something in a post. Provided you are not trying to deceive, infringing a copyright or trademark, or otherwise being nefarious, this is OK.
Non-exhaustive NOT allowed uses of AI:
- Using AI bots - it's amazing how easy it is to use AI as a bot and automate almost anything today. Don't do that here. People are welcomed as members. AI bots are not.
- AI-generated posts - AI is now being used as part of marketing campaigns. A human uses AI to generate posts about a forum's topic solely to gain reputation. The posts are generic, nonsensical, and obviously only done to gain post count, etc. This violates the ScapeCrunch mission and is not allowed. This is the same has the old "fake reviewers" designed to deceive for a profit motive. Don't do it.
- Portraying yourself as someone else - With AI-training, a bot can be made to act like someone else. It studies someone's responses, then trains itself to sound the same way. Obviously deceitful and not allowed.
If you spot a post that you believe violates this policy, please report it. Do not confront the member as it may not be a bot. Thank you!
