Placed an order but...

[Origami2547]

Hi all. I'm new here (and to the hobby) and have been a lurker for a few weeks. I started planning my reef aquarium over 5 years ago but backed off when I thought that I wouldn't have the time and resources to commit. The time has come, though, and I'm starting with a 90 gallon tank.

The stand is built, a lot of equipment is in place, lights are on, and the tank has been running without life for about 10 days now.

Last Friday morning, I placed an order with TBS using their online form. I've not heard back. I've left a phone message. But, again, I've not heard back. No charges have shown up on my credit card either.

At this point, I don't know if my order was successfully received or if Richard is just in the Keys. I can see that he hasn't posted in this forum for the last 9 days, so maybe that's a clue.

You all seem to have a record of working with him and, it's all the good things I've found here in the last week, that have given me the confidence that I went to the right place for my starter package. (By the way, Richard, if you read this, forgive my earlier dumb questions about sand size, rock density and stuff. Had I known there was such a resource here at reefcentral as there is, I would have had all the answers I could have asked for! Just chalk it up to my being a newb. - tlfromva)

So, for anybody out there: What are the chances that my order didn't get through? Of Richard being out of the office?

The tank's ready and so am I....

 

[HowardW]

I would just be patient and he'll get back to you. He is pretty much a one man operation and he could be out somewhere collecting or otherwise temporarily unavailable.

 

[Origami2547]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm hoping that he's just out (getting some good stuff!) rather than my possibly screwing up in sending the order in.

Patience. Good advice. Hey, I've been waiting 6 years. What's another week or so?

Thanks again!

 

[wintercool97]

I wrote to Richard on 8/31 about shipping and he responded FAST. Was very nice too. I just order my rock today, so I bet he is just busy and will get in contact soon. Looks like we might get our rock at the same time

 

[CT1258]

Richard said he would be gone for about 10 days, that was last Thursday....................Chuck T

 

[tangafish]

usually to best way to get ahold of richard is by email, shoot him an email and i assure you he will get back with you as soon as he can. majority of my contact with richard was via email..dont worry about him just sending it out to you and you not being ready. He doesn't work that way..he will contact you and set up a time good for you and he will then ship it out to you. I usually had mine ready for me after work so he would just ship out earlier that day. I don't think I actually had my card charged until shipped out or maybe just before ..you have waited 5 years so obviously you are patient to say the least :lol: :lol: i promise you it is definitely going to be worth the wait.. Just think, he is out there right now finding all kinds of little goodies to stock your tank!:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[voodude]

As far as I know, Richard left for the Turks on Thursday for about 10 days ... he usually takes his laptop, but who knows about the connections ... just sit tight and I know he will get back to you ... it is deffinitely worth the wait ... tangafish and I can verify it is worth it ...

 

[Origami2547]

Chuck, thanks for the intel. That helps a lot. I'm going to assume that I didn't screw up sending in the order and that he's just sunning himself on some beach, enjoying life. Maybe getting in a little diving, too. Got to admit, I'm jealous - wouldn't mind some good bottom time in Turks.

Tangafish and voodude, thank you, too! I'm looking forward to some good stuff, that's for sure. Yeah, I've been waiting a long time but, you know, I figured it was better to wait than to enter this hobby half-hearted and doubtful of the time I could give it. I mean, I figured that if I couldn't make the commitment, there was no sense in putting these lovely creatures at risk.

And Wintercool, thank you. I hope that we both do alright by Richard. Really looking forward to it.

I was what they call a Navy brat growing up. We moved around a whole lot. When I was a young teen, we lived in Okinawa and I used to snorkel over the beautiful coral reefs there. That was back in the mid-70's. I took my parents back there this past October and had the opportunity to make two good long dives there (including one with some whale sharks). It was that initial experience over the reefs that drove me to learn to dive. And, the way I look at it, this reef tank will be my own little corner of that world I enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) so much.

 

[voodude]

Origami2457 ... glad to be of some help and/or encouragement ...Richard is not only good at his trade, but a good heart ... full of surprises (the part2 anticipation killed me) :eek2: Now all I do is sit back and stare ... wishing I was in there swimmin around (like you describe of your reef dives) .. Hey ... I'm kickin back in Tampa/St. Pete at the end of Oct. just to buy him margueritas and dinner:beer: :dance: :celeb3: ...for real!! I am totally hooked ... and you are correct about commitment and doing it right. If you don't do both, you pay dearly (the wrong way) ..... Have fun and good luck .. remember that there are always people here to help (if you haven't already, check out the newbie forum ... even the old timers read it as there is always some good tip or hint that maybe you didn't think of. Oh ... don't have that flashy fish-jumping thing .. but

WELCOME TO REEF CENTRAL :fish1:

 

[liverock]

Back in the USA

Back in the USA

Ok gang....got back last night.....

The Turks is amazing...KILLER diving.....I usually do no diving while traveling....but the water and reefs there are pristine....dove every day, two tanks...15 dives in 10 days....amazing place....
Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[Origami2547]

Thanks, Richard. As I emailed you, I got the first shipment tonight! Thanks for working on a Sunday, and on your first weekend back no less.

Glad you had a good time blowing bubbles. Wouldn't mind doing that myself. T&C, here I come!

 

[liverock]

No problem Mon!

No problem Mon!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10781312#post10781312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Origami2547
Thanks, Richard. As I emailed you, I got the first shipment tonight! Thanks for working on a Sunday, and on your first weekend back no less.

Glad you had a good time blowing bubbles. Wouldn't mind doing that myself. T&C, here I come!

Hey no problem........weekends work well for shipping to most airports, and keeps you from having to take a day off to get The Package.

Watch the ammonia, keep it under 1ppm while you cycle......you should be ready for Part 2 next week....

Sea Ya
Richard TBS

 

[wintercool97]

Congrats on your first shipment!! :celeb1: any cool hitchhikers yet?
Please post some pics at lest when you get your 2nd shipment. I love seeing every ones tanks

 

[Origami2547]

Had three mantis shrimp, but they're gone now (at least I hope there was only 3!). Snails, a varieity of crabs (some good, some "bad"). Beautiful rock, though. Still looking a lot at the tank. Stuff survived the shipment very well and the cycle is just starting but, so far, seems like a soft-start. My skimmer was working OT yesterday pulling stuff in the water but all is settled as of last night. Will post pictures in another thread.

 

[voodude]

Glad you got the first shipment ... 3 Mantis!! only had the one .. he is cool now ... even got a gorilla (I think), wasn't much left!! Where r u gonna post to? Glad to see all new tanks ... especially the same size as mine ... Happy Hunting!

 

[liverock]

Doode

did they frilly decos do ok?

Never heard form you!
Richard TBS

 

[voodude]

Sorry Richard .. been busy ... the the two deco's are really freaky ... think one is a male (he has a curly-cue thing for a hat and a spear leg like long john silver ... the other one has a blue hat (looks like a culerpa leaf but blue!!) and just kinda jumps into the water stream and goes WOO-HOO ... They are great..thought they were dead when I first put them in the tank .. but guess they were just scared and "camo-ing":lol: .Every once in a while I thing they are :dance: as I look in the tank they come kinda close together and hop a lot !!!:lmao: what a hoot ...
p.s. hope we are still on ... have something in the works to bring to you for a change ... Glad T/C was cool .. see ya soon ..Voodude