Beware Of So Called "professionals"

[EricTMah]

Had I only known.....

I'm a little shocked you didn't come here and ask before hiring this so called professional



Sony Xperia Z3

 

[heath]

For him not even to respond would push me to the point of calling him out here and on social media.
I'd give him a few more days and maybe another call/text. If he still doesn't respond. I'd be calling him out. Just my professional opinion on the topic.

If he is professional as he thinks he is there should of been a response.... I agree with Eric, I would definitely send him another text and tell him of your plan to call him out on every fish, reef site that you can find.. see what he does then...be strong and don't back down, you want everything replaced and a refund of what you paid him.. professionals carry insurance...the livestock that is left in the tank can you get it out and put it somewhere, I am no professional but it does sound like your tank is going through a cycle...

 

[nathan]

I second what @EricTMah response. Id call him up and touch base with him directly give him a one on one chance to respond... if not satisfied then call him out... is he a member here! Guys like him dont like forums because they take away his business in his point of you.... but in response to that working with forums and our members on a one on one basis gives us a chance to he a part of the greater scheme of things and still make the money to run our businesses. All businesses today had to learn to change the way things are accomplished with on line stores etc. Good luck janice but id call him directly. Make him own the situation and see where it goes!

 

[heath]

how did you find this guy..

 

[OrcaSB]

Hey Janice, I'm Stace from Aquariums by Design (Eric's Boss). I'm really sorry to hear you had this experience. Unfortunately aquarium specialists can be a lot like landscapers. Some guys think because they take care of their own garden and have a wheel barrel, a shovel and a rake they can open up a landscape business and I've seen the same line of thinking over the years in the aquarium maintenance business.
Not sure how any "professional" company would do any of the things you said he did as all of them are moves that I would think only an absolute beginner would do. I really hope he responds and makes things right for you but sadly I doubt he will.
If your looking for a good reliable company in the GTA try Frank Aguirre of Acuaprof. He's a great guy and takes care of a lot of high end aquariums!
Good luck.


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[sunnykita]

Wow, this is so sad, I am so sorry for your losses and hope that you've come through the worst of it now. I'd definitely call this "professional" and explain that if he doesn't make good as in a refund, no way in hell I'd let him near a tank again that you'll be passing the word around about his less than professional behaviour. If unsure always post here, there are so many willing to jump in and lend a hand with no expectations in return other than helping a fellow hobbiest. Nice to know you've got a recommendation for a responsible individual through Stace and Eric, both great guys ! Good luck in the future !

 

[SamB]

how did you find this guy..

With mod approval, perhaps it might be best to identify this "pro" just to warn off our fine members so they don't have to live through the pain and inconvenience that you have gone through because of this "professional's" advice

 

[TORX]

With mod approval, perhaps it might be best to identify this "pro" just to warn off our fine members so they don't have to live through the pain and inconvenience that you have gone through because of this person's "advice"

We are an open and equal forum. With good reviews also come bad reviews, it is the way a company handles feedback.

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[Janice]

I am a lawyer. Therefore, I do not feel it appropriate to disclose this company's name on this website, as I will likely then end up with a lawsuit against me, which is a headache that I don't need in my life right now-or at any other time.. People sue for anything, whether there is merit to their claim or not, and then you, as a defendant, are forced to hire a lawyer to deal with it. In this case he would likely try to sue me for defamation, by falsely alleging that what I have told you is not true, and that by me disclosing the company I have caused his business to go belly up.

I will be following up with his again. He has been too much of a coward to respond. And tonight it is apparent that we will be losing our $150 Australian Favia, which, instead of big a beautiful pink and green under the moonlights is now looking very brown.

 

[TORX]

It is funny how quickly some Sue for defamation, but are all over bumping a good review about them selves. This is a horrible situation and horror story. Judgung from what i have read so far and you area, i have an idea. I hope you stay strong in the hobby and come back even stronger.

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[heath]

It is funny how quickly some Sue for defamation, but are all over bumping a good review about them selves. This is a horrible situation and horror story. Judgung from what i have read so far and you area, i have an idea. I hope you stay strong in the hobby and come back even stronger.

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I have the same idea... are we not entitled to freedom of speech... add to your comment, IMHO...

 

[shamous113]

@Janice I'm sorry that you have to go thru this . I'm very impressed that you are taking the the high road, I honestly wouldn't! a few questions...have you been checking the ammonia and nitrate levels? if so what are they? Are you able to do a water change and reduce the light intensity/cycle, im just thinking you might be able to help the creatures that you still have.

 

[Janice]

The nitrates were high 5 days after he left (10) They had been zero before the change was done, and all parameters had been "perfect" for many months. I am kind of anal amount keeping an eye on the parameters, so I typically check them twice a week
On the advice of ErintMah-thanks Eric-we did a 3 gallon water change tonight, and will do one every day as Eric has recommended until the bloom on the tank stops and things stop dying. We will check the levels again tomorrow. I was not aware that reducing the light cycle would help. We only have it on 9 hours a day-shoudlwe reduce it for awhile??

Thanks for your support everyone.

 

[nathan]

@Janice... do you know anyone in your area that could help you out and take all remaining livestock and have that person hold onto it while your tank cycles again? We would all hate to see you lose anymore of your hard earned livestock. We all feel your pain and dont let this set back discourage you from shutting everything down...

 

[SamB]

Some things;
1. Yes reduce light cycle to 6 hours a day until parameters stabilize
2. I like the water changes that Eric suggested. Slow and steady
3. I suggested to Janice that maybe she could relocate some creatures until the cycle calms down but I'm space constrained at the moment.
If things don't come around then let's talk about moving some creatures to someone on the forum who has room and can kindly loan out some real estate
I can move them if we can coordinate

 

[Kjmsmith]

Janice, I'm not sure what more can be said that hasn't already been said. I'm so sorry for your loss and all the emotions that come with such a terrible experience like this. It's reassuring to know that the TFT family is here to support all of us whether it be expert advice, offers of generous support or just a listening ear when we need to vent. If I can do anything at all to help, just ask. I do know where a couple of donated fish will be coming your way (if you will still want them) when the tank stabilizes.
Be well.

 

[Canadianeh]

I wish I can help you as I am also in Toronto but I can't as my 40 gallons tank is maxed out.

Too bad that I and some will never know this guy and some of us might end up dealing with him. Perhaps some hint? Does the guy do videos on Youtube?

 

[Janice]

If anyone one the GTA is going to hire a professional and wants to pm me to make sure that it is not the company I hired I will confirm that it is not. I am not sure if the company does tube videos. That is not how I found it.
I also plan to ask for my money back once I know the full extent of the damage.
The support on TFT has been extraordinary. My son was ready toggle it all up, and I talked to him about not letting this defeat him, how much we both love the hobby, and that we should not give up because of one B___ard. I am especially grateful to Kevin and Eric for their kind donation offers. I have to say that out of everything for me the hardest parts were (1) my gut was telling me this guy does not know why he is doing, but I felt I had to go along with what he was doing since he was the "expert" and I am a Newbie(although a very well researched Newbie, as I research everything inside out and upside down-although somehow this clown got past my radar); and (2) that we loft the female of our mated pair of clowns. They have been together since October, they were hosting our 3 anemones, and we thought that once the boy matured we very well may have some baby clowns. Of course the financial devastation is also hard to take.
Thanks again for your support.

 

[Janice]

AND BTW, he has not had the ba--s to respond to my lengthy detailed text to him advising him what has happened since he touched my tank and telling him how disappointed I was with his services.

 

[SamB]

Hey Everyone on TFT forum
I am heading to St Thomas tomorrow (March 29 - my dog's birthday!) and also heading to Stratford and Hanover on March 30 (yeah I know eh?!)
If anyone has some reef tank "real estate" that they can loan to our fellow forum member, I can drive her beloved creatures to you based on Janice's time frame
Anyone ???