1. Aquatics-only platform marketplace
TankFoundry Marketplace is only for aquarium livestock, aquatic plants, coral and aquarium equipment. Reptiles, amphibians, terrestrial invertebrates, birds, mammals, terrestrial plants and non-aquarium equipment may not be listed, even if mislabeled under an aquatic category. Future reptile husbandry features do not grant Marketplace eligibility.
TankFoundry hosts listings and communications. Buyers and sellers are the sole parties to their transactions and are responsible for payment, shipping, delivery, condition, legality, permits, taxes, refunds and disputes.
2. Legal listings only
A seller may list an organism or item only when the seller may lawfully possess, advertise, sell, transport and ship it. The seller must check rules at the origin and destination before accepting a transaction. A buyer must separately confirm that purchase, receipt, possession and import are lawful at the destination.
3. Prohibited organisms and items
- federally, state, tribal, county or locally prohibited species;
- regulated invasive or injurious species where the proposed transaction is not expressly lawful;
- protected, threatened or endangered wildlife or plants without all required authorization;
- unlawfully collected, imported, possessed or obtained organisms;
- knowingly sick, dying, parasitized or materially misrepresented livestock;
- organisms collected in violation of bag, size, season, location or permit restrictions;
- prescription medications, controlled substances, illegal pesticides or prohibited veterinary products;
- stolen, recalled, counterfeit, dangerously modified or materially unsafe equipment; and
- anything TankFoundry determines presents an unreasonable legal, safety, animal-welfare or fraud risk.
4. Accurate listings
Listings must use current photos when reasonably possible and accurately state common or scientific identification, strain or morph, approximate size or age when relevant, quantity, price, condition, known health concerns, defects, location, shipping availability and any important care requirements. Stock photos must be clearly identified. Sellers may not conceal mortality, disease, pests or material equipment damage.
5. Seller identity and authority
Sellers must use accurate account information and may not impersonate another person or business. Commercial sellers must maintain licenses, registrations, tax records and disclosures required for their activity. TankFoundry may request reasonable verification before allowing continued marketplace use.
6. Humane care, packaging and shipping
Living organisms must be housed, handled, packaged and transferred humanely. Sellers must use appropriate containers, insulation, oxygen or air, temperature controls and lawful carrier services based on the species, weather and transit duration. Do not ship when forecast conditions, carrier restrictions or foreseeable delays create an unreasonable risk. Labels and documentation must comply with applicable law and carrier rules.
7. Health, quarantine and biosecurity
Sellers must disclose known disease, parasites, pests, recent treatment and material health issues. Buyers should quarantine new livestock and plants, verify water parameters and follow species-appropriate acclimation and care. TankFoundry does not inspect or certify livestock health.
8. Price, payment and taxes
The full price, quantity, shipping charge and material conditions must be stated before payment. Users must not use deceptive pricing, counterfeit payment, stolen financial information, false chargebacks or off-platform conduct intended to facilitate fraud. Each party is responsible for applicable taxes and recordkeeping.
9. Shipping, arrival and refund terms
Before a transaction, sellers must disclose the carrier and service, shipping schedule, weather-delay rules, live-arrival or dead-on-arrival coverage, evidence and reporting deadlines, exclusions, and available remedy. Buyers must provide a lawful deliverable address, be available for delivery, document problems promptly and follow the disclosed claim procedure. TankFoundry does not create or guarantee a refund policy for a seller.
10. Communication and safety
Users may not threaten, harass, discriminate, spam, solicit unlawful activity, distribute malware, expose another person's private information or manipulate reviews and reports. Keep relevant transaction communication in TankFoundry when possible and never send passwords or full payment credentials through messages.
11. Reporting
Report suspected prohibited species, unlawful collection, animal cruelty, fraud, impersonation or unsafe products. Include the listing and relevant facts. Reports must be made in good faith; knowingly false or retaliatory reports violate these Rules. Emergencies and suspected crimes should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
12. Enforcement
TankFoundry may remove or restrict a listing, preserve relevant records, limit marketplace privileges, suspend an account or refer a matter to authorities. Enforcement decisions may consider severity, evidence, history, cooperation and risk. TankFoundry is not required to monitor every listing or resolve every dispute.
13. Changes
These Rules may change as the marketplace, species risks, carrier practices or legal requirements evolve. Material changes may require renewed acceptance.