Choosing a username and the Welcome page

Your username is your public handle on Underground Aquarium. You pick it on the Create account page, or on the Welcome page if you sign up with Google.

What is my username used for?

Your username identifies you across the site. It shows as @yourname on your profile, and it makes up your public profile address: /u/yourname. Other members see it on your posts, forum threads, tanks, listings and comments, and they use it to find you when starting a message.

If you also add a Full name to your profile, that name is shown in some places (like the top menu and your profile header) with your @username alongside it. See Editing your profile.

What are the username rules?

• Letters (A to Z, upper or lower case), numbers and underscores (_) only.
• No spaces, dashes, dots, apostrophes, emoji or other symbols.
• On the Welcome page it must be 3 to 24 characters long.
• It must not already be taken by someone else.

Examples that work: reefkeeper, Tank_Guy42, cichlid_mom. Examples that don't: "tank guy" (space), "shrimp-lover" (dash), "j.smith" (dot).

What is the Welcome page?

The Welcome page is a one-time step for people who sign up with Google. Google doesn't give us a username, and you haven't agreed to our terms yet, so the site asks for both before you go on.

The page shows "Almost in" and a greeting with your first name from Google (for example "Welcome, Jordan"), or just "Welcome" if Google didn't share a name. It says: "Pick the username people will see on your posts, tanks and listings."

How do I finish the Welcome page?

1. Look at the Username box. We fill in a suggestion. Keep it or type your own (3 to 24 letters, numbers or underscores).
2. Tick "I confirm I am 18 or older and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy." The links open in a new tab.
3. Click Continue. It stays greyed out until the box is ticked, and shows "Saving…" while it works.

You then go on to the page you were headed to, or the Feed. You won't see the Welcome page again.

Can I skip the Welcome page?

Not permanently. If you leave without clicking Continue, the Welcome page comes back every time you sign in with Google until you finish it. It only takes a few seconds, and it is where you confirm you are 18 or older and accept the terms.

Do people who sign up with email see the Welcome page?

No. Email sign ups choose their username on the Create account page itself, and tick the same 18+ and terms box there. See Creating an account.

Can I change my username later?

Yes. Go to your Dashboard, click Edit profile, change Username and click Save. The same letters, numbers and underscores rule applies. The form notes that you can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully.

Because your profile address uses your username, your address changes too (to /u/newname). See Editing your profile for the rest of the profile fields.

Is my username private?

No. Your username is public and anyone can see it, signed in or not. Don't use your email address, phone number or anything you'd rather keep private as a username. Your email address itself is never shown to other members.

Common problems

"Usernames are 3 to 24 letters, numbers, or underscores. No spaces or symbols." Your choice is too short, too long, or has a symbol or space. Shorten or lengthen it and remove anything that isn't a letter, number or underscore.

"That username is taken. Try another." Someone already uses it. Add a number or underscore (reef_keeper2) or pick something new.

"Please confirm you are 18 or older and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy." Tick the checkbox, then click Continue or Register again.

"Please log in again." Your sign in ran out while the Welcome page was open. Go to Log in, use Continue with Google again and finish the page.

"Something went wrong. Please try again." or "Couldn't save your username." A temporary problem saved nothing. Wait a moment and click Continue again. If it keeps happening, email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

"Username can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores, no spaces or other symbols." This appears on the Create account page or when editing your profile. Remove spaces and symbols and try again.

I don't like the username I picked. Change it from Edit profile on your Dashboard. Remember the 30 day limit between changes.