reefrunner
Contributing Member
This is my experience with ProReefAquatics.com aka Troy aka Pro_Builder. It is a very long post with lots of details, many would be unnecessary if not for the fact that the vendor is a moderator on this site, and a friend to many of you. I felt it best to be thorough.
On April 20th, 2004, I made an inquiry to proreefaquatics.com (aka pro_builder aka Troy), I made the inquiry through his website and the content of the inquiry was...
Troy responded via Yahoo IM
I had done some work for Troy on his web storefront and he was going to help me out with a bulb and ballast.
Our next communication occurred 3 days later, I had not received a tracking number for the ballast and bulb, nor had Troy told me how much the shipping was, so I contacted him via IM.
The next communication was 6 days later.
This was the last live contact I had with Troy for awhile, after trying several time to get in touch with Troy via IM several times over the course of the next two weeks, I sent Troy another email to his website email contact on May 11th.
On April 20th, 2004, I made an inquiry to proreefaquatics.com (aka pro_builder aka Troy), I made the inquiry through his website and the content of the inquiry was...
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Riley [mailto:edited]
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 1:36 PM
To: Troy Edited
Subject: Inquiry from Pro Reef Aquatics
Hey, can you get me a 250W HQI pendant with a 20K radium bulb? And if
so, how much?
Troy responded via Yahoo IM
Session Start (reefrunner69ro_builder): Tue Apr 20 15:14:19 2004
pro_builder: kevin, do you need the ballast too?
*** Auto-response sent to pro_builder: I know you see tha little yellow notepad beside my name!!!
reefrunner69: yes
reefrunner69: need it all, LOL
pro_builder: k let em check
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: bell style or horizonal?
reefrunner69: also give me a price on a 20K XM bulb, the hqi is probably a pipe dream, but maybe this summer
reefrunner69: horizontal
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: both 250 watt?
reefrunner69: no
reefrunner69: 175 on the XM bulb
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: the hqi would be an upgrade
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: BTW, if you consider carrying edited bulbs, reconsider
reefrunner69: they suck
pro_builder: I know that is why I don't run them
pro_builder: 250 PENDANT SETUP W RADIUM hqi BULB COMPLETE PLUS SHIPPING edited
reefrunner69: that's pretty good, but definitely a couple months away, do you do layaway?, LOL
pro_builder: XM 175 WATT BULB edited
pro_builder: NOT REALLY BUT WILL DO A PAYMENT PLAN FOR YOU
pro_builder: sorry about the caps
reefrunner69: it's OK
pro_builder: how many XM bulbs ya need?
reefrunner69: just 1
pro_builder: I can get you a complete 250 watt setup that is cheaper with 20K XM bulb
reefrunner69: on the hqi?
pro_builder: no mag ballast but will run a Radium bulb
pro_builder: like what Mojo is running
pro_builder: retro kit
reefrunner69: double ended bulb though...right?
pro_builder: SE
reefrunner69: ah
pro_builder: why do you want DE bulb
reefrunner69: yeah, I was wanting to do a DE set up
pro_builder: y?
pro_builder: the bulbs are double in price
reefrunner69: I was thinkg of the ultra sleek pendants
pro_builder: the 250 retro w XM 10K or XM 20 bulb will sell to you for edited
reefrunner69: but at twice the price, I can live with a larger pendant
pro_builder: yep
reefrunner69: cool
reefrunner69: that sounds good
reefrunner69: can I make payments to you?
reefrunner69: how much how often?
pro_builder: I have everything except the reflector setup in stock
pro_builder: tell me what you can make and it is yours
reefrunner69: I know I could do edited every couple weeks, maybe more
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: that is fine with me
reefrunner69: cool
pro_builder: you want a pendant syle reflector?
pro_builder: you helped me I will help you
reefrunner69: not sure what you mean, I want a pendant set up, so I guess I do
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: hold on a sec
*** pro_builder has sent you a file! edited.
reefrunner69: can you email the file?
pro_builder: sure can
reefrunner69: my messanger has a problem with accepting files
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: edited
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: on it's way
reefrunner69: OK
pro_builder: Reef Optix II Reflector from Sunlight Supply.
pro_builder: it is backordered though
reefrunner69: LOL, OK
pro_builder: you want the 20K or 10K XM bulb?
reefrunner69: 20K
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: can you do wiring?
reefrunner69: yeah, if I got a decent diagam or instructions
pro_builder: I can get you that
pro_builder: do you have a hood?
reefrunner69: no
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: I'm running a pendant right now
pro_builder: what size?
reefrunner69: 175
reefrunner69: a CSL prism pendant
pro_builder: can you use your pendant?
pro_builder: I can get you the ballast and bulb for cheaper yet
reefrunner69: I guess so, it would mean breaking open the ballast and switching them out
reefrunner69: but I can't see that being that hard
pro_builder: this is a raw ballast from Universal
pro_builder: no it isn't
pro_builder: edited if you go that way
reefrunner69: I can do that, little quicker too
pro_builder: does the pendant have a fan in it?
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: yes,
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: I will send out the ballast with instructions and the bulb on Thursday
reefrunner69: Thanks
pro_builder: need your address and ph #
pro_builder: no problem
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: That's my cell number, anytime after about 7 your time, it's free for me
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: Kevin Riley right?
reefrunner69: it's also the only number that anyone can reach me at, lol
pro_builder: lol
reefrunner69: yes
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: do you have paypal?
reefrunner69: yes
pro_builder: sales@proreefaquatics.com
reefrunner69: OK
pro_builder: send what you can and I will get it out on Thursday. I will let you know what the shipping is on it
reefrunner69: I'll go ahead and send the first payment, it will be an e-check, but it's good
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: OK, sent
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: got it
reefrunner69: cool
reefrunner69: I'm getting excited about my lighting again, LOL
pro_builder: lol
Session Close (pro_builder): Tue Apr 20 16:07:51 2004
I had done some work for Troy on his web storefront and he was going to help me out with a bulb and ballast.
Our next communication occurred 3 days later, I had not received a tracking number for the ballast and bulb, nor had Troy told me how much the shipping was, so I contacted him via IM.
Session Start (reefrunner69ro_builder): Fri Apr 23 14:40:22 2004
reefrunner69: Hey, were you able to get the bulb and ballast shipped yesterday?
reefrunner69: guess your out right now, anyway, when you get this drop me a message, Thanks
Session Close (pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 14:45:08 2004
Session Start (reefrunner69ro_builder): Fri Apr 23 16:30:54 2004
pro_builder: Kevin, I haven't had a chance to send it out, I tested the ballast and it was bad, so I have one ordered and should be here Monday afternoon, so I will ship it out to you on Tuesday if that is ok?
reefrunner69: sure
pro_builder: k
Session Close (pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 16:33:14 2004
The next communication was 6 days later.
Session Start (reefrunner69@hotmail.comro_builder): Thu Apr 29 16:52:44 2004
Kevin: hey
Kevin: has DNS updated for you?
Kevin: Your email accts are there and set up, not sure why you can't get in
Pro_builder: hmm
Pro_builder: yes I can get into the site
Kevin: can you get into Cpanel?
Pro_builder: It is working now
Pro_builder: yep
Kevin: you got your mail working?
Pro_builder: yep I just shut down Outlook and restarted it works fine now
Kevin: OK
Pro_builder: thanks for checking on it though
Kevin: no problem
Pro_builder: hey your ballast isn't here yet, supposed to be here on Friday, not sure what went wrong on the shipping
Pro_builder: I will try to get it sent out tomorrow night if I have time
Kevin: OK I appreciate it
Pro_builder: no problem, just wanted to let you know
Kevin: thanks
Session Close (Pro_builder): Thu Apr 29 17:01:03 2004
This was the last live contact I had with Troy for awhile, after trying several time to get in touch with Troy via IM several times over the course of the next two weeks, I sent Troy another email to his website email contact on May 11th.
From: Kevin Riley [mailto:edited]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 6:31 AM
To: sales@proreefaquatics.com
Subject: ballast and bulb
Hey Troy,
I haven’t heard from you lately, hope all is well with you, I was wondering what the word is on my ballast and bulb, has it been shipped? If if not when will it be shipped? I will be sending your final 25.00 this Friday. I fear that since you’ve not been online for the last week or 10 days that something terrible has happened, and I hope that is not the case. Let me know what’s happening.
Kevin Riley
www.AquariumAdvice.com
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