DobixHub (Pty) Ltd trading as AquaHaus respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how AquaHaus collects, uses, stores and shares personal information when you visit our website or purchase products from us.
1. Responsible party
DobixHub (Pty) Ltd t/a AquaHaus
South Africa
Email: hello@theaquahaus.co.za
Information Officer: Hestelle Dobie-Buys
Email: dobixhub@gmail.com
2. Information we may collect
Depending on how you interact with AquaHaus, we may collect information including:
- name and surname;
- email address;
- delivery and billing address;
- order and transaction information;
- products purchased;
- communication and customer-service records;
- information provided when contacting us;
- account information where applicable;
- website usage information;
- IP address and technical information where collected through website systems; and
- information necessary to prevent fraud or process payments.
We do not intentionally collect unnecessary personal information.
3. How we use personal information
We may process personal information for purposes including:
- processing and fulfilling orders;
- arranging delivery;
- processing payments;
- communicating with customers;
- responding to enquiries;
- managing returns and DOA claims;
- providing customer support;
- preventing fraud and abuse;
- maintaining website and account security;
- complying with legal and regulatory obligations;
- improving our products and services; and
- sending marketing communications where permitted and where appropriate consent or another lawful basis exists.
4. Sharing information with service providers
AquaHaus does not sell customer personal information. We share relevant information with the specific service providers below, only as necessary to provide our services:
- PayFast (payment processing), processes payment details directly to complete your order. AquaHaus does not store full card details.
- The Courier Guy (delivery), receives the name, delivery address and contact number necessary to deliver your order.
- Resend (transactional email), used to send order confirmations, delivery notifications and account-related emails.
- Google Analytics (website analytics), collects website usage information, and only if you've given cookie consent (see section 6 below).
We may also share information with accounting or professional service providers where necessary for our business, or with authorities where disclosure is required by law.
Cross-border transfer: Google Analytics is provided by Google and may process information on servers located outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred outside South Africa, AquaHaus takes reasonable steps to ensure it receives a level of protection consistent with POPIA, including relying on the service provider's own data protection safeguards and contractual terms. You can prevent this transfer at any time by declining or withdrawing analytics cookie consent (see section 6).
5. Payment information
Payments may be processed through PayFast or another approved payment service provider. AquaHaus does not intentionally store full payment card details where those details are processed directly by the relevant payment provider. Customers should review the applicable privacy and security policies of third-party payment providers where relevant.
6. Cookies & website technologies
Our website uses a small number of cookies, falling into two categories:
- Necessary cookies, used to remember the items in your cart and your cookie consent choice. These are required for the site to work and are set automatically.
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics), used only if you accept cookies via the consent banner shown on your first visit. These help us understand how the site is used. If you decline, Google Analytics does not load and no analytics cookies are set.
You can change your cookie choice at any time using the “Cookie preferences” link in the footer.
7. Marketing
Where applicable, AquaHaus may send promotional communications to customers where permitted by law. Customers may unsubscribe from marketing communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting AquaHaus.
8. Security
AquaHaus takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. However, no internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
9. Retention
Personal information will generally be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to fulfil legal or regulatory obligations, resolve disputes, maintain business records and protect legitimate business interests.
10. Customer rights
Subject to applicable law, individuals may have rights regarding their personal information, including rights to request access to information, request correction of inaccurate information and object to certain processing. Requests may be submitted to hello@theaquahaus.co.za. We may need to verify the identity of the person making a request before processing it.
11. Changes to this policy
AquaHaus may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, technology or legal obligations. The latest version will be published on our website.
12. Aquarium & livestock risk notice
Aquarium keeping involves inherent biological, chemical, electrical and environmental risks. By purchasing aquarium products, corals, fish or other livestock, customers acknowledge that AquaHaus cannot control the conditions in which products or livestock are subsequently used or kept.
Aquarium conditions
The health and survival of aquarium livestock can be affected by factors including temperature, salinity, pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, nutrient levels, lighting, water flow, oxygenation, filtration, acclimation, feeding, disease, parasites, pests, compatibility, tank maturity and other environmental conditions. AquaHaus cannot guarantee the long-term survival, growth, colouration or behaviour of livestock once it has been introduced into the customer's aquarium.
Acclimation
Customers are responsible for researching and following suitable acclimation procedures for their particular livestock. Aquatic animals and corals should be acclimated appropriately and introduced into a suitable, established environment.
Biosecurity
AquaHaus maintains quarantine and biosecurity procedures appropriate to the livestock we sell. Our quarantine period is generally at least seven (7) days where applicable. Quarantine reduces, but cannot completely eliminate, the risk of pests, parasites, pathogens, hitchhikers or other organisms being introduced into an aquarium. Customers are strongly encouraged to inspect, dip and quarantine new livestock and corals before introducing them into an established system.
Aquarium additives & chemicals
AquaHaus sells commercially manufactured aquarium additives and chemical products from established manufacturers. Customers must carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions, dosage requirements, warnings and safety information before use. Do not exceed recommended dosages or combine products unless the manufacturer specifically indicates that doing so is appropriate. AquaHaus is not responsible for damage resulting from misuse, overdosing, incorrect application, incompatible products or failure to follow manufacturer instructions, subject to any rights or liability that cannot legally be excluded.
Equipment
Aquarium equipment can involve electricity, water, heat, pressure, moving parts and other hazards. Customers must install and operate equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and applicable safety requirements. Electrical equipment should be kept appropriately protected from water and should be connected and operated safely.
Live animals are not guaranteed for long-term survival
AquaHaus's DOA policy addresses eligible death occurring on arrival and does not constitute a guarantee that livestock will survive for any particular period after delivery. Once livestock has arrived alive, its health and survival may depend on circumstances outside AquaHaus's control.
Statutory rights
Nothing in this risk notice or any other AquaHaus policy is intended to exclude, restrict or waive any consumer right, warranty or remedy that cannot legally be excluded under South African law.