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The Water Zoo

The Water Zoo on Peterborough's Lincoln Road has been Practical Fishkeeping's local shop for many years, and has won several awards in past reader polls.

Owner Jason Scott told Practical Fishkeeping: "When The Water Zoo opened in March 1986, it had one objective, to be the best aquatic shop in the area. Whilst there have been many changes since then, we are still true to our word, The Water Zoo occupies over 7000 square feet making it one of the larger aquatic retailers in East Anglia. We have frequently been voted as one of the best aquatic shops in the country. All members of staff are fishkeepers themselves, many are highly trained and are conversant with all areas of fishkeeping, being able to give sound advice to the newcomer and experienced hobbyist alike.

"Our marine fish system holds nearly 4000 gallons and consists of 50 sales and 12 quarantine aquariums, this normally holds over 100 species, from hardy Damsels and Clowns through to delicate Butterflies and Angels. Connected to our marine fish system is an impressive 1100 gallon display aquarium. All marines are hand picked by our most experienced member of staff and rested for at least seven days and fed at least three times a day before being offered for sale.

"Our dedicated invertebrate system is equally impressive having 39 aquariums ranging from 5 to 100 gallons in capacity holding hundreds of specimens. These are all illuminated by T5 lighting, coupled with gull wing reflectors, which gives excellent lighting in our shallow aquariums. Our live rock is cured on a separate system lit by natural light and is only offered for sale once absolutely ready.

"Our tropical freshwater systems have a total capacity of over 4000 gallons. These are split into several systems enabling us to provide all species with ideal conditions. We have specific systems for Discus and other soft water species, another for hard water Malawi and Tanganyikan cichlids and even one for brackish water fish.

"We receive at least two deliveries of fish each week. This means our tropical freshwater aquariums generally have over 250 species to choose from. Our 400 gallon plant system is restocked weekly, this means we have a wide range of healthy plants to choose from. This is illuminated by seven 125 watt mercury vapour lamps and has a carbon dioxide fertilisation system.

"While fish are a vital part of the hobby, keeping them would not be possible without reliable equipment. The Water Zoo have a devoted area for equipment, food, medications etc, and stock over 4000 different lines. This is area is kept well supplied by our state of the art stock-control system, and is backed up by a large store room, ensuring over 99% of stock items are available.

"All products are now in the process of being photographed and described, for inclusion on our online shop, which is synchronised with the stock control system. The Water Zoo is unusual in that is does not stock the entire range from any manufacturer, instead we evaluate products and choose only to stock the products we consider offer reliability, ease of use, value for money and effectiveness. In other words the products we stock are the products we are happy recommending and using in our own aquariums, both at home and in the shop. This means the staff can offer first hand experience of many of the products stocked."

The Water Zoo is at 439 Lincoln Road, in the Millfield area of Peterborough, just a few minutes from the city centre.
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Store details

Address The Water Zoo 439 Lincoln Road Millfield Peterborough Cambridgeshire United Kingdom PE1 2PE Tel: 01733 312142 Fax: 01733 897935
Website Visit website
Opening hours Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm; Sunday: 10am-4pm; Bank holidays: 10am-5pm; Closed Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Directions The Water Zoo is near Machine Mart at the top of Lincoln Road in Millfield, Peterborough. Park on Lincoln Road or in one of the adjacent side streets.
Map Map of Peterborough Cambridgeshire
Route Plan You need to be logged in to use this

Livestock details

Aquaria 114 tropical tanks, 18 Discus tanks, 18 African cichlid tanks, 50 marine tanks, 39 invert tanks, 20 coldwater tanks, 10 ponds,
Quarantine 24 tropical quarantine tanks on site 2 Discus quarantine tanks on site 13 marine quarantine tanks on site 2 coldwater quarantine tanks on site 1 quarantine ponds on site.
Specialist stock Normally we have around 100 species of marine fish and over 200 species of tropical freshwater fish in stock. A full stock list for tropical, coldwater marine fish and invertebrates is available on our web site.


Guarantee 7 days subject to water tests
Water parameters Marine fish: pH 8+; KH 10; sg 1.022. Marine inverts pH 8.2+; KH 10-12; sg 1.022.
Fish stocked tropical freshwater fish, marine fish, coldwater fish, pond fish, discus

Trade membership

Dyed Fish This store has signed the Practical Fishkeeping Dyed Fish Campaign and has pledged not to knowingly stock or sell dyed fish.
OATA membership This store is a member of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association and has agreed to meet its Code of Conduct. OATA members guarantee quality and service and exercise a very high standard of livestock husbandry, abide by their Code of Conduct and have their seal of approval. The aquaria and other displays should be clean and disease free. All fish acquired from an approved member should be healthy and feeding.

Modify your listing

We rely on retailers to keep us informed of changes to their details. If you would like to update this listing please call PFK Website Editor Matt Clarke on 01733 465204 during normal office hours.

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