Two of the UK's leading aquatic brands have officially launched online diagnostic tools for people social-distancing and self-isolating at home to get expert advice from the safety of their sofas (April 2020).
 
Aquarium specialist Interpet and its sister brand, Blagdon, which creates products for garden pond keepers, have formally unveiled tools designed to help people cutdown on non-essential trips away from home.
 
Adrian Exell, Development and Marketing Manager at Interpet, says: “Our indoor aquatics’ tool has been designed to help users diagnose common fish and aquarium problems with ease in their own homes, reducing non-essential trips.
 
“Meanwhile, the Blagdon tool does a similar job for anyone who has an outdoor pond and fish. Spring is the start of the pond season when everything is waking up after the winter. It is traditionally the time when pond keepers have a bit of a clear out. This includes cleaning and kickstarting filters to ensure they are working well, as fish need feeding again after the winter dormancy. As fish start to move about, it can become apparent if there have been any issues or ailments that need dealing with and this is when people need to ensure all their equipment is running properly too.
 
“We understand that while many pet and aquatic stores have closed, some are trading online with mail order and click and collect options, or are taking orders over the telephone and delivering them locally for those needing essential items, such as food and medication. We also appreciate that aquarium and pond owners may not wish to, or be able to, go out. So, if they have an issue with their aquarium, pond or fish, they can use whichever brand’s free online ‘Diagnose What’s Wrong’ tool that is appropriate to their needs to help them resolve any urgent problems. If they, then need any products, many local stores will deliver or have an online shopping option. We want people to remain and stay safely at home during this time, so we feel tools like these are invaluable. Plus, they are also essential in our on-going support of the retailers that sell and stock our products. They can recommend the tool to their customers and this will help them free up their time to keep up with demand for goods and other advice online and in-store.”
 
For more information and to use the tools, aquarium owners should visit www.Interpet.co.uk/diagnose, while pond keepers can go to www.BlagdonWaterGardening.co.uk/diagnose. Both brands are also increasing the support they are offering via their Facebook pages, https://www.facebook.com/BlagdonWaterGardening/ and https://www.facebook.com/interpet, if people wish to follow them for ongoing advice and assistance.