ADVANTAGE AQUARIUMS — SERVICE POLICIES & TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated: February 2026

By scheduling, receiving, or continuing to receive services from Advantage Aquariums, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to the following terms and policies in their entirety. These terms apply to all services performed by Advantage Aquariums, including but not limited to maintenance visits, consultations, custom installations, livestock sourcing, equipment installation, tank relocations, and diagnostic evaluations.

————————————————————————————————

1. SERVICE AREA ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums serves clients in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California.

Service requests outside these areas may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis and may incur additional travel fees based on distance and time. Travel fees, if applicable, will be communicated and agreed upon before scheduling.

———————————————————————————————— 2. SCOPE OF STANDARD SERVICE ————————————————————————————————

A standard maintenance visit includes the following, as applicable to the client's system and service plan:

• Visual inspection of livestock health and behavior
• Water parameter testing (specific parameters vary by system type)
• Algae removal from glass or acrylic panels
• Substrate cleaning or siphoning as needed
• Protein skimmer cleaning and adjustment
• Filter media inspection and replacement as needed
• Water top-off or water change using conditioned water
• Basic equipment check (pumps, heaters, lights, return lines)
• Dosing adjustments as needed
• Notes or recommendations left for the client when appropriate

A standard visit does NOT include:

• Equipment repair or replacement (billed separately)
• Livestock sourcing, delivery, or acclimation (billed separately)
• Aquascaping changes or redesigns (billed separately)
• Deep cleaning of systems that have been neglected or serviced by another provider (billed as a one-time restoration visit)
• Electrical work, plumbing modifications, or structural changes
• Diagnosis or treatment of diseases introduced by livestock not sourced through Advantage Aquariums

Any work outside the standard scope will be communicated to the client and billed separately at the agreed-upon rate before being performed.

———————————————————————————————— 3. SCHEDULING, CANCELLATIONS & MISSED ACCESS ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums believes in flexibility. There are no fees for cancellations or reschedules as long as the client provides reasonable advance notice so we can adjust accordingly.

Holidays and peak seasons may limit availability. Clients are encouraged to schedule early during these periods.

If a technician arrives for a scheduled visit and is unable to access the property due to changed locks, codes, gate access, pets blocking entry, or any other access issue not communicated in advance, the visit will be marked as completed and billed at the standard rate for that visit. This is because the technician's time and travel have already been committed.

———————————————————————————————— 4. PAYMENTS & BILLING ————————————————————————————————

Payment is due after service is completed unless otherwise arranged in writing.

Advantage Aquariums offers per-visit and monthly billing options. Per-visit billing is the preferred default.

We accept all major payment methods including cash, credit card, debit card, Zelle, and check.

Invoices not paid within 7 calendar days of issuance may incur a late fee of $25 or 5% of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater. Invoices not paid within 14 calendar days may result in a pause or termination of service until the balance is resolved.

Advantage Aquariums reserves the right to send outstanding balances to a collections agency after 60 days of non-payment.

———————————————————————————————— 5. RATE CHANGES ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums reserves the right to adjust pricing for services at any time. Clients will receive a minimum of 30 days written notice (via email, text, or mail) before any rate change takes effect.

Continued use of services after a rate change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new rate.

———————————————————————————————— 6. REFUNDS & PLAN CANCELLATIONS ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums does not offer refunds for services that have been completed.

If a monthly plan is canceled mid-cycle, the client is only responsible for services already rendered. Any overpayment will be credited or refunded within 14 business days.

Membership plans may be temporarily paused for vacations, travel, or tank-related issues. Pauses must be communicated in advance and are limited to 30 consecutive days unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Clients may cancel service at any time. There are no long-term contracts and no cancellation penalties. Any outstanding balance for work already completed must be settled at the time of cancellation.

———————————————————————————————— 7. MEMBERSHIP PLANS & PRIORITY CHECKUPS ————————————————————————————————

Clients on an active membership plan receive the following benefits:

• Priority scheduling for all visits
• All standard supplies delivered and included (salt, filter media, conditioned water)
• One Priority On-Demand Checkup per calendar month for urgent concerns such as unusual fish behavior, equipment malfunction, or water quality issues
• Free fish food included with weekly service plans
• Cancel anytime with no contracts and no pressure

Additional Priority Checkups within the same calendar month are billed at the standard hourly rate for the client's tank size.

Important: Advantage Aquariums does not offer emergency response services, after-hours guarantees, or insurance-style coverage. We cannot guarantee same-day or next-day availability for Priority Checkups. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate urgent requests as quickly as our schedule allows.

———————————————————————————————— 8. CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS ————————————————————————————————

All custom installation projects require a 50% non-refundable deposit before work begins. The remaining balance is due upon project completion.

Typical project timelines range from 3 to 6 weeks depending on scope, material availability, and design complexity. Advantage Aquariums will provide an estimated timeline at the start of each project but does not guarantee specific completion dates.

If a project is canceled by the client after materials have been ordered or fabrication has begun, the deposit is non-refundable. If cancellation occurs before any materials are ordered or work has started, the deposit may be refunded at the sole discretion of Advantage Aquariums.

Free initial consultations are available for custom design planning. Design concepts, system layouts, care plans, and aquascaping plans created by Advantage Aquariums remain the intellectual property of Advantage Aquariums (see Section 16).

———————————————————————————————— 9. LIVESTOCK HEALTH POLICY ————————————————————————————————

Aquarium livestock are living animals subject to stress, disease, environmental sensitivity, and unpredictable behavior. Advantage Aquariums cannot and does not guarantee the survival of any livestock under any circumstances.

For new custom installations performed by Advantage Aquariums:

If fish or livestock introduced by Advantage Aquariums die within 14 calendar days of their introduction date, Advantage Aquariums will replace them at no charge, subject to ALL of the following conditions:

• Total replacement value will not exceed $500 per installation project. Individual fish or livestock groups valued above $500 will be credited up to $500 toward replacement.
• No outside livestock, corals, invertebrates, or live rock were added to the system by the client or any third party between the introduction date and the date of death.
• No changes were made to equipment, water chemistry, dosing, lighting, flow, or temperature by the client or any third party.
• The system was not tampered with, relocated, or modified in any way.
• The client can provide reasonable evidence (photos, communication) supporting the timeline and conditions.

This policy applies only to livestock sourced and introduced by Advantage Aquariums as part of a new custom installation. It does not apply to ongoing maintenance clients, livestock sourced by the client from other vendors, or livestock added to an existing system.

Advantage Aquariums is not responsible for livestock death caused by equipment failure, power outages, temperature fluctuations, disease introduced from outside sources, predation by existing tank inhabitants, client error, or any other factor outside our direct control.

———————————————————————————————— 10. EQUIPMENT RESPONSIBILITY ————————————————————————————————

The client is responsible for the condition, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all aquarium equipment, including items originally recommended, sourced, or installed by Advantage Aquariums.

Advantage Aquariums performs a basic visual inspection of accessible equipment during each standard service visit. This inspection is limited to what can be reasonably observed during the visit and does not constitute a comprehensive equipment audit, diagnostic evaluation, or warranty of equipment function.

Advantage Aquariums is not responsible for equipment failure, malfunction, or degradation that occurs between service visits. This includes but is not limited to heater failure, pump failure, return line leaks, overflow malfunctions, ATO (auto top-off) failure, lighting failure, or electrical issues.

When Advantage Aquariums identifies equipment that appears worn, outdated, or at risk of failure, we will notify the client and recommend repair or replacement. The decision to act on that recommendation is solely the client's responsibility. If the client declines a recommended equipment upgrade or replacement and a failure subsequently occurs, Advantage Aquariums bears no liability for any resulting damage or livestock loss.

Equipment purchases, repairs, and replacements are billed separately from standard service visits unless explicitly included in a written agreement.

———————————————————————————————— 11. ACCESS, ENTRY & PROPERTY ————————————————————————————————

Clients are not required to be home during service visits.

By providing keys, access codes, gate codes, garage codes, or any other means of entry, the client affirms that Advantage Aquariums has explicit permission to enter the property solely for the purpose of performing aquarium services.

Advantage Aquariums technicians will treat every home and property with respect. We use protective floor coverings, proper footwear, and take reasonable precautions to prevent spills or damage.

However, Advantage Aquariums is not liable for:

• Pre-existing property conditions including but not limited to water damage, staining, mold, warped flooring, or structural issues near or beneath the aquarium
• Damage caused by the client's pets, children, guests, or household members
• Damage caused by equipment failure, power outages, or plumbing issues unrelated to our service
• Damage to flooring, walls, or furniture caused by the inherent presence of a large water-filled system in the home

The client is encouraged to maintain a clear workspace of approximately 3 to 4 feet around the aquarium to allow safe and efficient service. While this is not mandatory, restricted access may limit the scope of service we can perform during a visit.

———————————————————————————————— 12. ASSUMPTION OF RISK & WAIVER ————————————————————————————————

The client acknowledges and accepts that maintaining a saltwater or freshwater aquarium in a residential or commercial property involves inherent risks, including but not limited to:

• Water damage to floors, walls, furniture, electronics, and other property
• Livestock death due to environmental factors, disease, stress, or equipment failure
• Odor, humidity, salt creep, and mineral deposits associated with aquarium systems
• Electrical hazards associated with aquarium equipment near water

By engaging Advantage Aquariums for service, the client acknowledges these inherent risks and agrees that Advantage Aquariums is not liable for damages resulting from the normal or abnormal operation of the client's aquarium system, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by Advantage Aquariums.

The client waives any and all claims for consequential, incidental, special, or indirect damages arising from or related to aquarium services, including but not limited to property damage, livestock loss, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, or business interruption. The client's sole remedy for any claim arising from services shall not exceed the total amount paid to Advantage Aquariums for the specific service visit during which the alleged damage occurred.

———————————————————————————————— 13. INDEMNIFICATION ————————————————————————————————

The client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Advantage Aquariums, its owner, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from or related to:

• The client's property, premises, pets, household members, or guests
• Pre-existing conditions of the client's aquarium system, equipment, or property
• Livestock sourced by the client from third-party vendors
• The client's failure to follow recommendations, care instructions, or equipment upgrade suggestions provided by Advantage Aquariums
• Unauthorized modifications to the aquarium system by the client or any third party
• Any claims made by third parties related to the client's aquarium system

———————————————————————————————— 14. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & ARBITRATION ————————————————————————————————

In the event of any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these terms or the services provided by Advantage Aquariums, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through direct communication in good faith.

If the dispute cannot be resolved informally within 30 calendar days, the parties agree that the dispute shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration administered in Orange County, California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a mutually agreed-upon arbitration service.

The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties. Judgment on the arbitrator's award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Each party shall bear its own costs and attorney fees unless the arbitrator determines that one party's claim was frivolous, in which case the arbitrator may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.

BY AGREEING TO THESE TERMS, THE CLIENT WAIVES THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION AGAINST ADVANTAGE AQUARIUMS.

This arbitration clause shall survive the termination or expiration of any service agreement between the parties.

———————————————————————————————— 15. FORCE MAJEURE ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums shall not be held liable for any delay, interruption, or failure to perform services due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters, severe weather, earthquakes, fires, or floods
• Pandemics, epidemics, or public health emergencies
• Government orders, regulations, or restrictions
• Supply chain disruptions, product shortages, or vendor delays
• Power outages, internet outages, or infrastructure failures
• Labor shortages or contractor unavailability

In the event of a force majeure occurrence, Advantage Aquariums will make every reasonable effort to resume services as quickly as possible and will communicate expected timelines to affected clients.

———————————————————————————————— 16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ————————————————————————————————

All care plans, system designs, aquascaping layouts, maintenance protocols, proprietary reports, Tank Health Analysis reports, software-generated documents, and other materials created by Advantage Aquariums remain the exclusive intellectual property of Advantage Aquariums.

These materials are provided to the client for their personal use in connection with their own aquarium system. The client may not reproduce, distribute, sell, share with competing service providers, or use these materials for commercial purposes without the express written consent of Advantage Aquariums.

If the client terminates service with Advantage Aquariums, they retain any reports or documents previously provided to them for personal reference. However, Advantage Aquariums retains all rights to the underlying intellectual property, methodologies, and proprietary systems used to create those materials.

———————————————————————————————— 17. DOCUMENTATION & PHOTO USE ————————————————————————————————

By receiving service, the client grants Advantage Aquariums permission to document tank conditions through photographs, video, and written notes for internal use including quality control, training, service records, and portfolio documentation.

No photographs, videos, or identifying client information will be shared publicly, used in marketing materials, or posted on social media without the client's explicit written consent.

If the client provides written consent for public use, they may revoke that consent at any time by notifying Advantage Aquariums in writing (email is acceptable). Previously published materials will be removed within a reasonable timeframe upon request.

———————————————————————————————— 18. COMMUNICATION & DISPUTE ETIQUETTE ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums values open and honest communication. If a client is dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, we strongly encourage them to contact us directly before posting public reviews or taking any other action.

We commit to responding to all client concerns within 48 business hours and to making every reasonable effort to resolve issues promptly and fairly.

Advantage Aquariums reserves the right to respond publicly to any public review or statement with factual information regarding the services provided, while respecting client privacy and confidentiality.

———————————————————————————————— 19. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ————————————————————————————————

To the maximum extent permitted by California law, Advantage Aquariums' total aggregate liability for any and all claims arising from or related to services provided shall not exceed the total fees paid by the client to Advantage Aquariums during the 90-day period immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

Advantage Aquariums is not liable for any incidental, consequential, special, indirect, or punitive damages of any kind, including but not limited to:

• Death or loss of aquarium livestock
• Damage to property, flooring, walls, furniture, or electronics
• Equipment malfunction or failure
• Business interruption or loss of revenue (for commercial clients)
• Emotional distress or loss of enjoyment
• Any damages arising from the client's failure to follow recommendations

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory under which the claim is brought, whether in contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise.

———————————————————————————————— 20. INSURANCE ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums carries general liability insurance to protect both our clients and our team during service visits. Proof of insurance is available upon request.

Our insurance coverage applies to incidents directly caused by the negligence of Advantage Aquariums or its employees during the performance of services. It does not extend to pre-existing conditions, equipment owned by the client, livestock health, or events outside our control.

———————————————————————————————— 21. GOVERNING LAW ————————————————————————————————

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any legal action not subject to the arbitration clause in Section 14 shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Orange County, California.

———————————————————————————————— 22. SEVERABILITY ————————————————————————————————

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent.

———————————————————————————————— 23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT ————————————————————————————————

These Service Policies and Terms of Service constitute the entire agreement between the client and Advantage Aquariums regarding the subject matter herein. They supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements, representations, or understandings.

No modification of these terms shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Advantage Aquariums.

———————————————————————————————— 24. POLICY UPDATES ————————————————————————————————

These service policies and terms are subject to change at any time. Advantage Aquariums will provide reasonable notice of material changes when possible, via email, text, or posting on our website.

Continued use of services after updated terms are posted or communicated constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

———————————————————————————————— 25. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS ————————————————————————————————

By scheduling a service visit, receiving a service visit, signing a service agreement, submitting a form on our website, or continuing to use Advantage Aquariums services after being presented with these terms, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and policies outlined in this document.

If the client does not agree with any of these terms, they should notify Advantage Aquariums immediately and discontinue use of our services.

———————————————————————————————— CONTACT ————————————————————————————————

Advantage Aquariums Phone: (562) 317-7545 Email: [email protected] Web: www.advantageaquariums.com Service Area: Los Angeles County and Orange County, California

Copyright 2026 Advantage Aquariums. All Rights Reserved.