Our Policy

DOA Policy 

Guidelines for DOA Claims:

• Prompt Notification: In the unfortunate event of a DOA, customers must notify Gin's Exotic's within 1 hour of the fish or aquatic organism's arrival. Please contact us at 602-582-7256 Or Reach out to our facebook page.

• Clear Visual Evidence: To substantiate your DOA claim, you must provide clear video evidence of the deceased fish or organism, still inside the unopened bag or container it arrived in. These images or videos should be sent to 602-582-7256 along with your claim.

• Water Temperature and Acclimation: It's vital to ensure that water temperature and acclimation procedures are appropriate for the specific species you've purchased. Failure to follow proper acclimation guidelines may void the DOA policy. You can find Additional Info on Acclimation On our website Under the care Tab.

• DOA Limitations:

• Our DOA policy covers only the fish or aquatic organisms in your original order.

• It does not cover shipping charges, and any additional fees incurred during the claim process are the responsibility of the customer.

• This policy does not apply to fish or organisms that have been placed in a quarantine tank or moved from the original delivery container before the DOA claim is made.

• Our DOA Policy will only Apply For the First 1-2 Hours after pick up or depending on the situation.

• If the recipient fails to follow Our guidelines and instructions, our DOA policy will be voided. 

Resolution Process: 

Upon receiving a valid DOA claim, Gin's Exotics will promptly assess the claim based on the provided evidence. If the claim is approved, we will offer one of the following resolutions:

• Replacement: We will replace the deceased fish or organism with a healthy one. Please note that availability may vary, and we will do our best to match the original species.

• Refund: If a replacement is not available or desired, we will issue a refund or Credit for the cost of the deceased fish or organism.

Note: In some cases, additional information and documentation may be required to process a DOA claim. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this regard.

Conclusion: Our DOA policy is designed to ensure that you receive healthy and thriving aquatic life from Gin's Exotics We are committed to providing the best service possible. If you have any questions or concerns about our DOA policy, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team.

Thank you for choosing Gin's Exotics , we look forward to serving you and your aquatic companions.

Drip Acclimation Guide

To safely acclimate your fish using the drip method, follow these steps:

Materials needed:

- Airline tubing

- Plastic 2-way air valve for airline tubing

- Bucket or heavy-duty storage tote

- 2 air stones

- 1 air pump

Note: If you are acclimating a larger number of fish, it is recommended to use a heavy-duty storage tote instead of a bucket.

Step 1: Set up the airline tubing

Cut the tubing to the desired length for your setup. Optionally, you can attach an air stone or use weights to secure the tubing in the tank.

Step 2: Initiate the acclimation process

Insert one end of the tubing with the air stone (or weight) into the fish tank, and the other end into the bucket or storage tote. To establish suction, quickly create suction by sucking on the tubing end leading to the bucket or tote. You can control the drip rate by tying a knot in the tubing, or for more ease of control, use a plastic 2-way air valve.

Step 3: Provide oxygen for the fish

Put a bubbler in the bucket or storage tote to ensure sufficient oxygenation of the water, preventing fish from dying.

Step 4:  Duration

Hardy Cichlids and predator : 30 minutes - 1 Hour 30 minutes Full flow 

Fancy Pleco : 2 Hours 30 Minutes- 4 Hours (2-4 Drips per second)

Discus : 3+ Hours The longer the better (3-6 Drips Per second)

Delicate Species: 3–4 Drips per second 2-4 Hours

Before adding the fish, Make sure the water from the bucket matches with the water In the tank. If not you can put the fish back In the bag It came In and float It for 15-20 Minutes. 

By following these steps, you can safely acclimate your fish using the drip method while maintaining a healthy environment for them.

Written by Thanh Nguyen

Quarantine

In addition to Quarantine we administer our fish with antibiotic treatments, we also observe how they eat. We also go a few steps further and give our fish food enriched with vitamins and probiotics. Before purchasing, Customers have the opportunity to examine the fish and inspect its health and condition before bringing it home. It is important to understand that fish can undergo stress when being transported, which could lead to them becoming sick or injured. Before adding fish to their ecosystem, we strongly encourage each customer to have a dedicated tank for a quarantine procedure. For this process, we choose 40-gallon breeders since it gives the fish sufficient room to settle in. If you notice that something wrong, within 3 hours upon pick up Please reach out to our team.  In the event that the fish fails to arrive home in a timely manner and if no communication is established, we will not be held responsible for any deaths.

How To Quarantine

1.Prepare a Quarantine Tank: Set up a separate tank solely for quarantine purposes. It should be equipped with a filter, heater, and hiding spots for the fish.

2.Water Preparation: Ensure that the water in the quarantine tank is stable and cycled, meeting requirements for the fish you brought home.

3.Acclimate the Fish: Drip acclimate the fish with our guide shown above. Once the water volume doubles remove half of the water volume out and restart the process at a faster stream. This allows the fish to adapt to the water parameters.

4.Inspect the Fish: Carefully observe the fish for any signs of illness, parasites, or abnormal behavior. Common signs include rapid breathing, discoloration, lesions, or unusual swimming patterns. Treat accordingly.

5. Quarantine Period: Although we Treat and quarantine our fish before selling them, we strongly advise our clients to Keep the fish in quarantine setup for at least A few days even if they are healthy and eating.  Because of the stress of transport, their immune system could be weakened, giving time for any possible diseases or parasites to appear. During this period, monitor the fish closely for any signs of illness or stress. If the fish displays any signs of Illness we recommend treatment and extending the quarantine period until the fish Is healthy and thriving.

6. Medication (Optional): Some aquarists choose to proactively treat quarantined fish with medications to prevent potential diseases. However, this should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or well versed fish keeper, as improper use of the wrong medications can harm the fish and could disrupt the tank's biological balance. Any activated carbon will neutralize any medication's are in the aquarium. We have provided medications that we use personally below.

7. Regular Maintenance: Perform small and frequent water changes (10-15%) throughout the week and monitor water parameters in your quarantine tank to ensure optimal conditions for the fish. Avoid using any equipment or accessories from the quarantine tank in your main aquarium to prevent cross-contamination. To prevent cross contamination, we disinfect our equipment with methylene blue to kill any unwanted bacteria that may harm the ecosystem.

8. Gradual Introduction: After the quarantine period is over and the fish are deemed  healthy, gradually introduce them into your main aquarium. Monitor their behavior closely for any signs of stress or aggression from other tank mates. Assuming you're aquarium is cycled, If there Is no fish In your aquarium you can directly add them after acclimation.

By following these steps, you can effectively quarantine fish from any pet store and minimize any risk of introducing harmful diseases or parasites into your aquarium. If you have any questions reach out to our team.

Medications 

By Gin

API EM

External Antibiotic $$$

Active Ingredient: Erythromycin

API General Cure 

External Antibiotic $$$

Active Ingredients: Metronidazole, Praziquantel 

API Furan 2

External Antibiotic $$$

Active Ingredients: Nitrofurazone

API Melafix

External bacterial Preventative $$

Preventative Medication Not Effective As Treatment 

API Pima Fix 

External fungal Preventative $$

Preventative Medication Not Effective As Treatment 

Hikari Prazi Pro

Internal Parasitic Treatment $$

Active Ingredient: Liquid form Praziquantel 

Hikari Ich X

External Parasitic Treatment $$

Active Ingredients:Formalin, Malachite green

Tetra Life Guard 

Treats Everything Exterior $

Active Ingredients: 1-Chloro-2,2,5,5- tetramethyl-4 - imidazolidinone.

Ocean free External Bacteria and fungus away

External Fungal, Bacteria and Parasitic Treatment $$

Active Ingredients: Malachite green

By adhering to these policies, our objective is to provide a professional and satisfactory experience for both you and the live animals involved. We aim to maintain transparency, empower our customers to make informed decisions, and promote responsible fish ownership. Should you have any further inquiries or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please Note: Our Fish Are Quarantined and Treated with Antibioics + Probiotics

What if my Fish Arrives Dead?

 At Gin's Exotics, If a fish arrives deceased or unwell due to transportation, please inform us with details and proof within a timely manner. We'll swiftly replace the fish or issue a refund, ensuring your satisfaction and the well-being of our aquatic companions.

 How can you afford lower Prices?

 As distributors, Dealing directly with us eliminates the need for an intermediary. We handle both retail and wholesale which Is why we retail for a fraction of the price of Stores.

 What's Your Quarantine Process?

 The fish journey through a quarantine procedure to give them time to recover and adapt before being transported. During this time, they are also medicated; preventive measures are essential. You can come back later if the fish does not meet your standards otherwise we can provide you with the proper medications if you feel the fish still needs to continue treatment. We commonly use API EM, General Cure to treat external ailments, and Hikari Prazi Pro for Internal.

 Why Does Acclamation Matter?

 The reason acclamation matters is due to the fact it enables the fish to adjust to your aquarium's water and temperature. Each tank has a unique water composition. We strongly advise drip acclimation since it provides the best result preventing a variety of health problems. Please notify us if you lack the tools necessary for drip acclimatization, and we will provide them to you at absolutely no charge. This step could affect the fish's health, therefore you must complete it Patiently and correctly.

What Is the Best Water for My Fish?

 Standard Arizona is where we keep our fish. Using tap water To guarantee success, we go the extra mile  To eliminate any chlorine and heavy metals, we treat the water using activated carbon. For delicate species, we also age the water lowering the pH with aquatic peat moss. We additionally utilize API Stress Coat to eliminate surplus chlorine and heavy metals, hence reducing stress and safeguarding the fish's slime coat. Our PH ranges from 7.2 to 7.8 the best thing to provide for your fish Is water stability and consistency.

 How Often should I do water changes?

 We recommend Small but frequent Water changes throughout the week slowly adding water back In. this way the fish won't be shocked and the transition Is slow and gradual, giving the fish time to adapt to the new water.