WEBSITE USE AGREEMENT AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PLEASE READ FURTHER DOWN FOR IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AS IT GOVERNS YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE AND PRODUCTS FROM OUR COMPANY. IT EXEMPTS THE SHOP OWNERS AND OTHER PERSONS FROM LIABILITY OR LIMITS THEIR LIABILITY, AND CONTAINS OTHER IMPORTANT PROVISIONS THAT YOU SHOULD READ.

Definitions of terms

Southdown Aquatics’ refers to the company trading as ‘Southdown Aquatics’ and to the website of the said company.

‘We’, ‘Ourselves’, ‘Our’, and ‘Us’ refers to ‘Southdown Aquatics’ as detailed above.

‘You’, ‘Your’, ‘Youselves’, and ‘The Customer’, refers to you, the user of this site, and anyone who purchases or has purchased goods or services from Southdown Aquatics.

‘Site’ or ‘Website’ refers to any public content displayed at the domain ‘https://www.southdown-aquatics.co.uk’.

Our Office address is:
39 Grove Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN14 9DQ

01903 201390

Terms and Conditions

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before ordering any products or services from our website. You should understand that by ordering from our site, over the phone or through our company in any way, or by using our site, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions you should not use our website or order through us. Please read through these terms and conditions carefully and print a copy for future reference.

The Website and its content may not be copied, imitated, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, modified, indexed, catalogued, mirrored or distributed in any way, in whole or in part, without the express prior written consent of Southdown Aquatics. You may not sell or resell any part of the Website or access to the Website. You may not use any of the software that is used in the operation or provision of the Website except while you are using the Website in accordance with this agreement.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Important Delivery Information – Please Read Before Ordering

WE RUN TO A SIX WEEK TURNAROUND TIME AS STANDARD – Please read full T’s and C’s.

Terms and conditions were reformatted, but unchanged in its content on 19th December 2025 (we have a saved version of the original).

Manufacture, Dispatch, and Assembly

All reptile vivariums, stands, and aquarium hoods are made to order. Our standard manufacturing turnaround time is approximately six weeks, although this may be extended due to high order volumes, delivery grouping by area, staff illness, material shortages, supplier delays, or adverse weather conditions. We manufacture each item to customer specification and offer multiple colour options per size, which requires careful scheduling and sourcing of materials. Bank holidays are not included in the Six week turnaround time.

Larger vivariums are generally delivered flat packed and without packaging, as we hand deliver directly from our workshop. Assembly is not included unless agreed in advance. Some items, such as vivarium TV stands, pigeon-hole stands, and larger vivarium stands, are delivered fully assembled. As we usually operate with a single delivery driver, assistance may be required from the customer for these larger assembled items. Please contact us if you have questions.

Assembly instructions are available on the website.

As we are a family run, bespoke, hand made manufacturer, we assemble all of our made to order items in advance and every pane of glass is checked and fitted in the vivarium before disassembling for delivery.

Before placing an order, customers must ensure that they are located within our delivery range. This is extremely important, as failure to check delivery eligibility prior to ordering may result in additional charges or non-refundable fees. Our vivariums, stands, and aquarium hoods are large, heavy, and specialist items which we hand deliver ourselves. For this reason, we operate within a defined delivery area and are unable to offer nationwide courier delivery for these products.

We have information for a bespoke courier that some customers are using for out of area deliveries.

To guarantee delivery before Christmas, all orders must be placed no later than 1st November. This is a strict cut-off date to allow sufficient time for manufacture and hand delivery. Southdown Aquatics closes for its annual Christmas shutdown between 20th December 2025 and 4th January, and this closure period is not included within our standard six-week turnaround time. Bank holidays are also excluded. Please note that we are currently operating at our full six-week turnaround time, and in some cases, particularly during busy periods, orders may take longer.

Delivery Areas and Restrictions

All vivariums, stands, and aquarium hoods are delivered exclusively by Southdown Aquatics within our designated delivery zone, which is shown as the black zone on our delivery map. We do not deliver into the red zones shown on the map, which include central London, central Bristol, and central Birmingham. We are also unable to deliver into areas that have restricted access such as cycle-only roads, congestion charge zones, LEZ, ULEZ, or Clean Air Zones.

In certain locations, such as Bath, Bristol, and Portsmouth, deliveries may be possible on an individual basis; however, any congestion, LEZ, ULEZ, or Clean Air Zone charges must be paid in full by the customer prior to delivery. If you are unsure whether your address falls within our delivery area or are located close to the boundary, please contact us before placing your order. Orders placed outside of our delivery zone will still incur PayPal or card processing fees, which are non-refundable.

Delivery Method and Access Requirements

All deliveries are carried out by hand and are made to ground floor level only. We are unable to deliver items to flats, upper floors, or locations requiring stairs unless this has been agreed with us in writing prior to ordering. Due to the size and weight of our products, we must be able to access the delivery address easily with a vehicle. This includes suitable parking and clear, unrestricted access to the property.

If there is no direct vehicular access, if parking is limited, or if there is a long walk from the vehicle to the delivery point, this must be disclosed at the time of ordering. Failure to do so may result in a refused or failed delivery. Where a delivery attempt fails due to access issues or customer unavailability, a second delivery charge will apply.

Winter Deliveries and Delays

During the winter months, deliveries may be delayed or postponed due to adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice. As we travel significantly further than standard courier services, it is possible that even if there are no restrictions in your local area, the route to your address may be unsafe or impassable. While we will always aim to provide as much notice as possible, weather conditions can be unpredictable, and delays outside of our control may occur.

Collections and Customer-Arranged Couriers

Customers are welcome to collect their orders directly or arrange their own courier service. Once an item leaves our workshop or yard, responsibility for the product transfers entirely to the customer or the courier they have appointed. As we do not package our made-to-order products, all collected items will be supplied unpackaged. Customers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is suitable for transport and that adequate securing equipment, such as ratchet straps, is used.

While we are happy to provide courier contact details for customers outside our delivery area, any delivery arranged through an external courier is undertaken at the customer’s own risk.

Responsibility, Delivery Acceptance, and Claims

Items delivered by Southdown Aquatics or sent via a courier arranged by us remain our responsibility until delivery has been accepted by the customer.

This does not apply to items collected in person or transported by a courier arranged by the customer.

Any damage, shortages, or issues must be reported to us by phone or email within 48 hours of delivery. This is essential, as courier damage claims must be lodged within a strict time frame. Customers are advised not to sign for deliveries as “unchecked” where possible.

Any delivery instructions requesting items to be left in a safe place are given entirely at the customer’s discretion, and Southdown Aquatics cannot accept responsibility for items that go missing under these circumstances.

Made-to-Order Products and Refund Policy

All vivariums, stands, and aquarium hoods are manufactured to order and made specifically to the customer’s chosen size and colour. As such, these products are non-refundable, except where required under consumer law for faulty goods. Materials such as boards and glass are ordered specifically for each customer once an order has been placed.

If a customer changes their mind after ordering, we may take reasonable steps to offer a refund where possible; however, this is dependent on whether manufacture has begun or whether the item has already been scheduled for delivery. This is only usually possible within a day of order. PayPal and card processing fees are non-refundable, and an administration or cancellation fee of up to five percent of the order value may apply. Changes to an order, including switching from collection to delivery, may also extend the manufacturing/delivery timeframe.

Delivery Zone Errors and Customer Responsibility

It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that their delivery address falls within our delivery zone and that the ordered item will fit into their property. We strongly recommend measuring all access points, doorways, ceiling heights, and installation spaces before ordering. We cannot offer refunds for items that are too large to fit into the customer’s property.

Faulty Goods and Consumer Rights

Southdown Aquatics operates in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act. All goods supplied must be as described, of satisfactory quality, and fit for their intended purpose. If a product arrives damaged, customers must notify us immediately and provide photographic evidence where requested so that we can assess the issue. Please see our disclaimer further below.

Customers have up to 30 days to report faults; however, damage caused during delivery must be reported within 48 hours to allow us to submit a claim with the courier where applicable. Where a fault is confirmed, we will repair or replace the item as appropriate.

We do not offer refunds, repairs, or replacements for products that have been damaged by the customer, incorrectly assembled, or already set up and used. Any usage of the vivarium/stands/hoods is accepting the product. No refunds or replacements for glass breakages after delivery.

Items collected by the customer or transported by a courier arranged by the customer are not covered once they leave our premises.

General Use, Limitations, and Liability

Vivariums must be used within their intended design limitations. Excessive heat, incorrect use, or excessive weight, including very heavy substrates, backgrounds, may affect the structural integrity of the vivarium over time. Southdown Aquatics cannot be held responsible for injury to animals or reptiles, as the setup, maintenance, and use of the vivarium are entirely the responsibility of the customer.

Vivariums must be placed on flat, level surfaces of an appropriate size to ensure correct support. Uneven or undersized surfaces may cause twisting or glass fitting issues. Any supports supplied must be used as intended.

Cable Holes, Assembly, and Supports

Cable holes are not included as standard, as setups vary. Where requested, we will attempt to add cable holes free of charge, but this cannot be guaranteed during busy periods. Larger vivariums are delivered flat packed and must be assembled correctly. All vivariums are manufactured using screws, clamps, biscuits, and KD blocks, and screws will be visible.

Maintenance, Sealing, and Water Damage

All vivariums must be sealed by the customer using aquatic-grade silicone prior to use. Sealing must be completed before adding substrate, animals, or décor and must be left to cure for a minimum of 24 hours. All joints, corners, and tracks must be sealed correctly. This is including the ends and underneath the black track. MFC Vivariums are humidity resistant but not waterproof, and water damage is not covered. We take no responsibility in damages caused by water ingress.

Regular resealing and maintenance are essential, and the lifespan of a vivarium will depend on usage and upkeep. As these are primarily wood-based products, long-term durability is directly linked to maintenance and sealing..

Aquarium Hoods

Aquarium hoods should always be used in conjunction with condensation covers to reduce moisture exposure. While the hoods are moisture resistant, they are not waterproof, and damage caused by water or condensation is not covered.

Disclaimer

Due to the nature of the materials used, some colours, particularly white, black, and grey, may show blemishes or variations. Dust may be present upon delivery due to direct manufacture and transport from our workshop. We are a bespoke manufacture where everything is hand made, we are not an assembly line manufacturer.

Colour shades may vary depending on lighting.

Board suppliers may occasionally discontinue colours. Where this occurs, customers will be informed and alternative options offered.

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MISPRINTS AND ERRORS, PRODUCT AVAILABILITY AND PRICES

Southdown Aquatics endeavours to provide current and accurate information on the website. However, misprints, errors, inaccuracies and omissions may sometimes occur. Southdown Aquatics reserves the right to:
a) Correct any error, inaccuracy or omission.
b) If an order has already been placed we will advise the customer of the changes. If the customer does not wish to accept the changes we will issue a refund.

LOGIN NAMES AND PASSWORDS

Certain areas and features of the Website are accessible only to users who have been issued a login name and password (collectively “User Details”) by Southdown Aquatics. For the purposes of accessing the Website, the User Details remain the property of Southdown Aquatics and may be cancelled or suspended at any time by Southdown Aquatics in its discretion without any notice or liability to you or any other person. Southdown Aquatics is not under any obligation to verify the actual identity or authority of any person using User Details to access and use the Website. Southdown Aquatics may act upon any communication that is given with the use of User Details. Southdown Aquatics may in its discretion at any time require proof of the identity of any person seeking to access and use the Website, and may deny access to and use of the Website or parts of it or refuse to accept or act upon any communication if Southdown Aquatics is not satisfied with such proof. If you have been issued User Details: (a) you are fully responsible and liable for the security of the User Details and any and all use and misuse of the User Details; (b) you will keep the User Details secure and confidential at all times and not disclose the User Details to any other person or permit any other person to use the User Details; (c) you will ensure that all uses of the User Details comply with this Agreement; (d) once you have logged-on to the Website using the User Details, you will not leave the computer terminal used to access the Website unless and until you have terminated the session and logged-off the Website; and (e) you will immediately notify Southdown Aquatics by telephone or email via the contact page of this Website if you know or suspect that any User Details have been lost or stolen or become known to or used by any other person.

Change of Terms and Conditions

We reserve the right, at any time to make alterations to these terms and conditions. As a visitor to www.southdown-aquatics.co.uk it is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with our most current version of these terms and conditions.

Privacy Policy / General Data Protection Regulations

We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of all our website visitors through the implementation of GDPR. Although we may collect personal data from the customer as part of the order process, we will never share these details with any third party unless previously agreed by yourself. Any personal data we collect from the customer, including email address, telephone number or name, will be used by ourselves to fulfil your order, send invoices and correspondence (see full privacy Policy)

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Southdown Aquatics and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Southdown Aquatics. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Southdown Aquatics takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.