The Yorkshire Koi Society

members only section

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using our website and services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement.

2. Use License

Permission is granted to temporarily download one copy of the materials on this website for personal, non-commercial transitory viewing only.

3. Disclaimer

The materials on this website are provided on an “as is” basis. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaim and negate all other warranties including, without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights.

4. Limitations

In no event shall we or our suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption) arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on this website.

5. Revisions

We may revise these terms of service at any time without notice. By using this website you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these terms of service.

6. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us.

Chat Rules & Community Standards

1. General Decorum

  • Be Neighborly: We are a local society. Treat fellow members as if you were standing poolside at a member’s open day. No insults, aggressive “gatekeeping,” or belittling beginners.

  • Language: Keep it “family-friendly.” Please refrain from excessive profanity or inappropriate imagery.

  • No Heated Debates: While we encourage healthy debate on pond setups or filtration, if a discussion turns into a personal spat, take it to Private Messages (PMs) or drop it.

2. Live Advice & Emergencies

  • Urgent Health Issues: If you have an emergency (e.g., “Fish gasping at the surface”), feel free to tag @Moderators for visibility, but remember: chat advice is used at your own risk. * Follow-up: For complex issues, we recommend starting a dedicated Forum Thread so the history of the problem is saved for others to learn from.

3. Spam & Promotion

  • No “Shilling”: Do not use the chat to constantly promote your own business or commercial Koi outlets unless you are an official Society Sponsor.

  • Keep it Relevant: The chat is for Koi, ponds, and local society news. Occasional “off-topic” chat is fine, but don’t let it bury important hobby discussions.

  • Links: No suspicious links, malware, or unsolicited “DM me for a deal” messages.

4. Privacy & Safety

  • Pond Security: For the safety of your collection, never post your full home address or exact GPS location in the public chat. Use PMs for coordinate-sharing for pond visits.

  • No Doxing: Never share another member’s private contact details or workplace without their express permission.

5. Enforcement

  • Moderator Discretion: Our moderators have the final say. If you are asked to change the subject or “cool off,” please do so immediately.

  • Three-Strike Rule: 1. Warning: Informal nudge from a mod. 2. Mute: Temporary loss of chat privileges (24–48 hours). 3. Ban: Permanent removal from the chat for repeat offenders or serious vitriol.

Yorkshire Koi Society: Forum T&C Essentials

1. Expert Advice Disclaimer (The “Fish Health” Clause)

This is the most critical section for a hobbyist forum.

  • No Professional Liability: Explicitly state that advice given by members regarding pond filtration, water chemistry (e.g., $NH_3$, $NO_2$), or medication is informational only.

  • Consult a Vet: Encourage users to consult a professional fish vet or specialist before treating livestock. The society is not liable for the loss of fish resulting from forum advice.

2. Marketplace & Rehoming Rules

If members trade or sell equipment and fish:

  • “Buyer Beware”: The society acts only as a venue. It does not vet the health of fish or the quality of used filters sold via the boards.

  • Biosecurity: Strongly recommend (or require) that members follow quarantine protocols for any new additions.

  • No Commercial Scaling: Prohibit commercial dealers from posing as hobbyists to sell stock without a sponsorship agreement.

3. Media & Photo Permissions

  • Usage Rights: By posting photos, members grant the society permission to feature them in the society newsletter or on your social media pages (with credit).

  • Copyright: Users must only post photos they own.

4. Local Conduct & Privacy

  • Privacy (Doxing): Strictly prohibit sharing home addresses or pond locations without explicit permission. (This is a security risk for high-value fish).

  • Respectful Debate: Koi keeping has many “schools of thought.” Ensure your terms prohibit aggressive “gatekeeping” or elitism to keep the forum welcoming for beginners