Learn with purpose
Understand the reasons behind each routine. Explore filtration, water testing and plant care through practical sessions that connect a little science with everyday fishkeeping.
For the quietly curious
A little water.
A whole new world.
A home for aquarium enthusiasts in Aotearoa. Grow your knowledge, create a thriving aquascape and find people who share your fascination.
All experience levels Wellington, New Zealand
grow together.
AquascapingThoughtful fishkeepingA shared sense of wonder
A better way to keep fish
More than a tank.
A community.
Find your people
Bring your questions, your progress photos and the things that did not go to plan. Our community is a place to exchange experience without pressure to own the biggest tank.
Build lasting habits
Turn scattered advice into a care routine you can maintain. Use simple records, thoughtful stocking plans and regular observation to make better decisions for your aquarium.
Our club
Curiosity is better
when it is shared.
Elqorinavestella brings together people who enjoy the detail: a new leaf, a healthy school of fish, the way a planted aquarium changes over time. We connect aquarium keeping with patient observation and a willingness to keep learning.
Start with a freshwater setup, develop your aquascaping skills or compare notes on a more specialised system. Discussions begin with the needs of the animals and plants, then consider the time, space and equipment you can realistically provide.
Based around Wellington and open to enthusiasts across New Zealand, the club offers a friendly starting point for questions, shared projects and a more considered approach to the hobby.
Start a conversationMeet the committee
People behind the club.
A welcoming point of contact, from your first question to your next aquarium project.
President
Ella Fishstone
Welcoming new members and keeping our shared learning on course.
Vice president
Freddy Gillman
Helping turn members’ questions into useful discussion topics.
Secretary
Tina Coral
Coordinating enquiries, session information and club communication.
Treasurer
Oscar Scale
Looking after membership information and practical club arrangements.
Slow down. Look closer.
There is a world
in the details.
Healthy aquariums grow through consistent care,
small observations and a little patience.
Our shared approach to aquarium keeping
Healthy waterCurious mindsGrowing togetherThriving aquariums
The field notebook
A little knowledge.
A healthier aquarium.
Practical reading for the questions that come up between water changes.
01Getting startedBuild the habitat before adding the fish
Build the habitat before adding the fish
Begin with the adult size and behaviour of the species you hope to keep. Choose a suitable tank and stable stand, leave space for maintenance and plan filtration and temperature control around the inhabitants, rather than around spare space on a shelf.
Establish biological filtration before introducing animals. During a fishless cycle, monitor ammonia and nitrite with suitable tests and follow a reliable cycling method. A tank is not ready simply because the water looks clear. Add livestock gradually only when the system can process waste, and keep checking water quality as the population changes.
02Choosing your fishPlan a community that can live well together
Plan a community that can live well together
Compatibility is about more than colour. Compare adult size, social needs, temperament, swimming space, diet and water requirements before you combine species. A peaceful fish can still struggle if its preferred temperature or water chemistry differs from the rest of the tank.
Research each species individually and ask about its long-term needs. Keep a written stocking plan, allow room for growth and introduce changes gradually. Marine fish require a suitable saltwater system; public-aquarium species shown in inspiration photographs are not recommendations for home tanks.
03Learning togetherMake your next club session more useful
Make your next club session more useful
A good question starts with context. Bring a recent photograph, tank dimensions, livestock list, water test results and a short description of your maintenance routine. The changes you have made in the previous weeks often matter as much as the symptoms you can see today.
Our discussions cover starting a tank, reading plant growth, choosing appropriate equipment and reviewing care routines. Ask about the next available workshop and tell us what you want to understand. We confirm the format, location, availability and any cost before you make arrangements.
04Everyday careMake observation part of the routine
Make observation part of the routine
Spend a few quiet minutes watching before feeding. Look at breathing, swimming, appetite, plant growth and equipment operation. Record unusual changes and compare them with water test results rather than guessing from appearance alone.
Test newly established systems frequently and monitor established aquariums regularly. Match water-change routines to stocking and test results, treat replacement tap water appropriately and avoid disrupting all filter media at once. If a fish appears unwell, seek help from a qualified aquatic professional or veterinarian instead of trying an unplanned mixture of treatments.
Further reading: SPCA New Zealand’s fish care guidance.
A member’s perspective
“Joining Elqorinavestella was the best decision of my life! I went from a fish rookie to a full-blown fish whisperer, thanks to the amazing community and resources available.”
An eye for detail
Four ways to see the water.
Freshwater habitats and public aquariums offer different kinds of inspiration. Always choose inhabitants for the environment you can provide.
Make the hobby your own
Small steps. Real progress.
Care guides
Understand aquarium basics in manageable steps: planning, cycling, stocking and keeping a clear record of your routine.
Practical workshops
Bring a specific question and learn through discussion and demonstrations. Ask us about topics and upcoming availability.
Aquascape challenges
Explore composition, plant placement and growth over time through friendly creative challenges and shared progress.
Community connections
Meet keepers with different setups and interests, exchange ideas and discover new ways to improve your own approach.
Our local community
Wellington roots.
A shared fascination.
Good conversations travel further than a single fish room. We welcome aquarium enthusiasts from Wellington and across New Zealand, with interests ranging from first freshwater tanks to established planted systems.
Planning to join a gathering? Contact us first for the current venue, session format and accessibility information. Each event’s arrangements are confirmed separately.
Ask about the next gatheringYour next chapter
There is a place
for you here.
Choose the kind of support that suits your interests. Tell us about your aquarium and we will help you understand what is included before you join.
All listed prices are in NZD. Membership duration, availability and any additional event costs are confirmed with you before an agreement.
A thoughtful start
Basic
Build confidence with a friendly community and useful reference material.
$10 NZD
- Care resources and discussion
- Community updates
- Event notifications
- Club newsletters
Room to explore
Premium
For keepers who want to take a more active part in club learning.
$25 NZD
- Everything in Basic
- Additional workshop opportunities
- Aquascape challenge participation
- More focused aquarium discussions
The people you will meet
A shared interest, many perspectives.
Our team helps turn curiosity into useful conversations and practical next steps.
Founder
James Smith
Bringing people together around practical, responsible aquarium keeping.
Coordinator
Lisa Taylor
Helping members find a suitable session and prepare their questions.
Aquarium adviser
Mark Johnson
Sharing experience with tank planning, observation and everyday care.
Workshop facilitator
Nina Wong
Making hands-on learning approachable for different experience levels.
What makes the hobby rewarding
Wonder, with a little perspective.
Look beyond your own tank
Seeing larger aquatic environments can spark questions about movement, space and behaviour. Use that curiosity to research the needs of the species in your care.
Observe before you change
Spend time watching your fish and recording water results. A measured adjustment is more useful than changing several things at once.
Share what you learn
Explain your setup, what you tried and what happened next. Honest progress reports make our community more useful to every keeper.
Enjoy the long view
An aquarium develops over time. Celebrate healthy growth and stable routines alongside the striking photographs.
Learn with us
Choose your next step.
Individual questions and practical group sessions, with the details agreed before you commit.
Consultation
$50NZD
A focused conversation about your aquarium, your goals and the questions you want to resolve.
- Tank and equipment review
- A practical next-step discussion
Workshop
$30NZD
Hands-on learning around a defined topic, with time to ask questions and compare approaches.
- Topic and format confirmed first
- Suitable experience level explained
Membership support
$20NZD
A separate support option for a specific membership enquiry or aquarium learning need.
- Scope agreed before booking
- Separate from Basic and Premium
Contact us to confirm availability, duration, the full scope and any applicable costs. No payment is collected through this website.
The Elqorinavestella community
Different tanks. One shared curiosity.
You do not need a showpiece aquarium to belong. Bring an interest in learning and a willingness to share what you discover.
Join the conversation
Welcome to Elqorinavestella
Your next idea
starts with a question.
A better layout. A calmer maintenance routine. A more suitable stocking plan. Bring the question you have been meaning to ask.
Talk aquariums with usFrom the journal
Ideas worth keeping.
Aquascaping
Start with space, not more plants
Before adding detail, decide where your eye should rest. Use a main hardscape feature, leave swimming room and choose plants that suit your lighting and maintenance time. Plan for their mature size, not just the way they look on planting day.
A regular photo from the same position helps reveal how the layout develops. Trim gradually, review shaded areas and keep circulation and access for cleaning in mind.
Responsible keeping
Care for your tank. Protect our waterways.
Never release aquarium animals or plants into natural waterways. Plan for the full life of the animals you keep and arrange responsible rehoming if your circumstances change. Check local guidance before acquiring or sharing aquatic plants.
Keep aquarium material away from stormwater drains and follow regional biosecurity advice when disposing of unwanted plants or tank contents. A small home aquarium is part of a much wider environment.
Explore regional aquarium biosecurity guidance before disposing of tank contents.
The inspiration gallery
A window into another world.
Enjoy these views of aquatic environments, from reef details to large public displays.
A sense of scale
Public aquariums invite us to observe movement and behaviour in a different setting.
Colour and contrast
Marine displays reveal relationships between colour, texture and open water.
Another point of view
A change of perspective can inspire new questions about the aquatic world.
A little more to explore1 of 3
A useful rhythm
Consistency makes the difference.
Observe your aquarium
Check behaviour, appetite, temperature and equipment. Small changes are easier to notice when you know what is normal.
Review your routine
Check water quality and plan appropriate maintenance. New or unstable systems need closer attention.
Keep learning
Record changes, research each species and ask for advice before making decisions that affect animal welfare.
Keep exploring
Follow your curiosity.
Aquascaping
Build a layout that can grow
Explore balance, plant choice and the relationship between a beautiful layout and practical care.
Explore with us
Community events
Make room for a new perspective
Bring your observations and learn from people whose aquariums and experiences differ from your own.
Explore with us
Curiosity
Ask better questions
Move from “which product?” to “what does this habitat need?” and connect decisions with the needs of its inhabitants.
Explore with usEducational resources
Keep the essentials close.
Revisit the fundamentals of cycling, thoughtful stocking and maintenance in our aquarium field notebook.
Open the field notesMembership
A place to keep growing.
Choose the level of involvement that suits you and build confidence through shared experience.
Compare membershipsA little more to explore1 of 5
Good questions
A little clarity
before you begin.
Every aquarium is different. These starting points help you decide what to ask next.
Ask your own questionWhat is aquascaping?
Aquascaping is the arrangement of plants, rock, wood and open space within an aquarium. A successful layout considers the needs of its inhabitants as well as appearance: enough swimming room, suitable lighting, reliable circulation and access for maintenance. Start with a simple plan and let the plants develop before adding more detail.
How do I care for fish well?
Begin with the requirements of the particular species. Provide a suitable aquarium with established filtration, appropriate temperature and a compatible environment. Observe your fish, test water quality and maintain a consistent routine. Ask a qualified aquatic professional or veterinarian about illness or unexplained distress; club discussion cannot replace an assessment.
Can I keep different species together?
Sometimes, but compatibility needs careful research. Compare adult size, temperament, group requirements, water conditions and diet. Do not choose tankmates only because they look good together. Leave room for growth and ask for advice before adding animals to an existing aquarium.
What should I feed my fish?
Choose a diet that matches each species and its feeding behaviour. Offer appropriate portions, watch whether every fish can feed and remove uneaten food where practical. There is no single food or feeding schedule that suits every aquarium; check reliable species guidance and adjust to the animals in your care.
Here to help
Let’s talk about
your aquarium.
Whether you are planning a first setup, rethinking a planted tank or looking for a local community, tell us a little about your interests. We can help you find the right starting point.
Club enquiries: info@elqorinavestella.com
General enquiries: (+64) 4 123 4567
Start a conversation
What is growing
in your aquarium?
Tell us what you keep, what you are planning or what you would like to learn. Useful details include tank size, livestock and the question you want to discuss.
For membership and workshops, we will confirm availability and the full details before you decide.
Prefer to write directly?
info@elqorinavestella.com
info@elqorinavestella.com
Club contact details
info@elqorinavestella.com
Membership enquiries
+64 21 555 0123
Contact address
Level 1, 84 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Please contact us before planning a visit.