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Pre-Owned Product Sales Policy

Pre-Owned, Used, & Secondhand Equipment Policy48-Hour Functional Accuracy Guarantee

Pre-Owned, Used, & Secondhand Equipment Policy

Tidalwave Aquatics offers a variety of pre-owned, used, refurbished, and secondhand aquarium equipment through our WYSIWYG (“What You See Is What You Get”) inventory system. Every pre-owned product is individually photographed, documented, and listed separately to provide customers with a transparent and accurate representation of the exact item being purchased.

WYSIWYG Listings & Product Representation

All WYSIWYG listings display the exact product that will be shipped to the customer. We do not use generic stock photos for pre-owned inventory.

Each listing may include:

  • Individual product photos
  • Condition grading
  • Cosmetic notes
  • Included accessories/components
  • Functional observations
  • Inspection or testing notes (when applicable)

Customers are strongly encouraged to review all listing photos, descriptions, condition notes, and grading information carefully prior to purchase.

Below is our pre-owned product grading scale


(Note: Our grading system is provided as a guideline only and does not constitute a warranty or guarantee of future performance.)


Sold As-Is


Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all pre-owned, used, secondhand, refurbished, and WYSIWYG products are sold strictly AS-IS.

Pre-owned equipment may show signs of prior use, cosmetic wear, aging, imperfections, and other functional or cosmetic attributes. Tidalwave Aquatics does not guarantee:

  • Long-term reliability
  • Remaining lifespan
  • Future performance
  • Manufacturer warranty eligibility
  • Compatibility with customer systems

Customers assume all responsibility for the installation, operation, maintenance, and continued use of pre-owned equipment. Manufacturer warranties are generally NOT included unless specifically stated in the listing.


Limitation of Liability


Aquarium equipment inherently carries risk. Tidalwave Aquatics shall not be held liable for any damages, losses, or failures resulting from the use or misuse of pre-owned products, including but not limited to:

  • Equipment failure
  • Aquarium leaks or flooding
  • Livestock loss
  • Water damage
  • Electrical issues
  • Property damage
  • Personal injury
  • System crashes or malfunctions
  • Consequential or incidental damages resulting from the use or misuse of any pre-owned product sold.

Customers are responsible for properly inspecting, installing, and monitoring all equipment prior to use.


48-Hour Functional Accuracy Guarantee

While pre-owned products are sold AS-IS and without warranty, Tidalwave Aquatics does provide a limited 48-hour functional accuracy guarantee for qualifying situations where a product materially differs from the functionality described in the listing.

Eligible examples may include:

  • Product does not power on
  • Major operational defects not disclosed
  • Significant functional issues inconsistent with the listing description

This guarantee does NOT apply to:

  • Buyer’s remorse
  • Cosmetic preferences
  • Compatibility issues
  • User installation error
  • Improper setup or misuse
  • Normal wear associated with used equipment
  • Subjective expectations compared to a new product

All claims must be submitted within 48 hours of delivery or pickup confirmation. Tidalwave Aquatics reserves the right to troubleshoot, request supporting evidence, approve or deny claims, offer store credit, replacement components, repair assistance, or approve a return at our sole discretion.

This policy does not constitute a warranty, service plan, or long-term product guarantee.


Final Sale Policy

Due to the nature of pre-owned and WYSIWYG inventory, all sales are generally considered final unless otherwise approved under the limited 48-hour functional accuracy guarantee described above.

Customers acknowledge that they have reviewed the following details prior to their purchase:

  • Product photos
  • Description
  • Condition notes
  • Included components
  • Product grading


Policy Acceptance

By purchasing any pre-owned, used, secondhand, refurbished, or WYSIWYG product from Tidalwave Aquatics, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to this policy in full.