Chicago area fish stores

[MTBake]

What are some of your favorite fish stores around Chicago?

I've been ordering online for the past couple years. I'd like to start frequenting some lfs. Haven't found a favorite yet. I've been going to Beyond the Reef, which is an ok store. Just want to expand my options. So, I turn to the R2R community to fill me in on some pf your favorite fish stores around Chicago:)

 

[Chad_P]

I’m located in Batavia just west of Chicago. Reef Plus in North Aurora is my go to, but I’ve been also checking out AquaPros in Glen Ellyn.

Occasionally I’ll hit up Sea Escapes in South Elgin, and Reefwise in Lisle has some nicer fish and good SPS frag deals

 

[dansreef]

There are a few I kind of circulate to. ReefWise and AquaPros are two I will hit when making a trip south to Lisle...and Glen Ellyn. I will hit Sea Escapes in South Elgin. ShoTank up in Mundelein is a good stop too but up north. Of course, you know Beyond the Reef and I am sure Exotic Aquatic in Algonquin. There are some others towards the city but their names escape me.

If you are looking for fish... I like Reef Wise... or did. Last time I was there about a month ago the inventory was non-existent. ShoTank is a place I have had good luck with for fish up North.

 

[MTBake]

Thanks for the feed back guys!

I haven't been to Exotic Aquatics since they moved from Randall Road. I'll have to check it out. This one is close by to where I work.

Planning a little road trip to check some of these places out. There's a lot that I've never been to. Reef plus and reef wise where the 2 that I couldn't remember the names of. I've been to aqua pros a couple times. Got some nice zoas from there several months ago.

 

[jp_75]

if we talk about fish it's hit or miss! i would say you have to drive around to see....i had no luck with any!
really miss good reefwise days! that was THE BEST store in Illinois!

 

[cpschult]

Aquapros in my favorite. It's cheap but good.
Reefwise is high end! Also good though.

Just different stores. Two of my favorite

 

[MTBake]

if we talk about fish it's hit or miss! i would say you have to drive around to see....i had no luck with any!
really miss good reefwise days! that was THE BEST store in Illinois!

This is kind of why I posted this. Hard to find healthy looking fish lately. Also looking for some nice zoas.

There's a few stores that have closed over the years that I really miss. Aquatic Reef, Oceans Floor, and Midwest Coral(I think this was the name of the store front in East Dundee) were all decent. This was probably 10 years ago though.

 

[SPS247]

I tried to post this with .com links an hour ok but it's under review so I took the .com and Www off.

wojteksreef (Basement seller amazing stuff LPS heavy Chicago Jefferson Park Area)

reefgeeksofchicago (Always deals on everything located in Northhbrook off the 294)

xzoticaquaticworld (A little bit of everything corals , fish, freshwater Niles area)

 

[MTBake]

I tried to post this with .com links an hour ok but it's under review so I took the .com and Www off.

wojteksreef (Basement seller amazing stuff LPS heavy Chicago Jefferson Park Area)

reefgeeksofchicago (Always deals on everything located in Northhbrook off the 294)

xzoticaquaticworld (A little bit of everything corals , fish, freshwater Niles area)

I've heard of Wojteksreef. Is an appointment required? If so, what's the best way to contact him?

 

[ReeferJen]

I've heard of Wojteksreef. Is an appointment required? If so, what's the best way to contact him?

I think you can contact him through his website. I bought my Elegance and my Duncan from him at the show in Villa Park a couple of months ago, and both are doing well, especially the Duncan. I got it with 4 heads in September, it looks like #8 is starting to sprout.

I also am a fan of Exzotic Aquatics in Niles, especially for inverts. Got my porcelain crab, sexy shrimp, and good sized nasarius snails there.

My hammer, cabbage, Ricordia, and both fish (clown and blenny) are from Beyond the Reef.

I like Seascapes in South Elgin as well, and hit them up when I visit my parents.

I got an awesome mini-maxi carpet from Tank It Easy. Very colorful and thriving.

Pardon the rock flower nem in the glass. The sexy shrimp ate nearly all his tentacles off, trying to save him. Quarantine box arrives tomorrow. Cabbage is molting, and is normally much larger and covered in polyps.

I haven't had anything die or infect my tank from any of these stores.

 

[Chad_P]

There are a few I kind of circulate to. ReefWise and AquaPros are two I will hit when making a trip south to Lisle...and Glen Ellyn. I will hit Sea Escapes in South Elgin. ShoTank up in Mundelein is a good stop too but up north. Of course, you know Beyond the Reef and I am sure Exotic Aquatic in Algonquin. There are some others towards the city but their names escape me.

If you are looking for fish... I like Reef Wise... or did. Last time I was there about a month ago the inventory was non-existent. ShoTank is a place I have had good luck with for fish up North.

Agreed Reefwise used to have a ton of inventory. I think the two partners split a while back and the remaining guy just hasn’t brought as much in. When they do have fish, it’s usually nice specimens like butterfly and angels.

 

[MTBake]

I think you can contact him through his website. I bought my Elegance and my Duncan from him at the show in Villa Park a couple of months ago, and both are doing well, especially the Duncan. I got it with 4 heads in September, it looks like #8 is starting to sprout.

I also am a fan of Exzotic Aquatics in Niles, especially for inverts. Got my porcelain crab, sexy shrimp, and good sized nasarius snails there.

My hammer, cabbage, Ricordia, and both fish (clown and blenny) are from Beyond the Reef.

I like Seascapes in South Elgin as well, and hit them up when I visit my parents.

I got an awesome mini-maxi carpet from Tank It Easy. Very colorful and thriving.

Pardon the rock flower nem in the glass. The sexy shrimp ate nearly all his tentacles off, trying to save him. Quarantine box arrives tomorrow. Cabbage is molting, and is normally much larger and covered in polyps.

I haven't had anything die or infect my tank from any of these stores.

Tank looks good! Thanks for sharing.

Seems like there's more options than I thought. Guess I need to pick a direction and head to a few. Most are quite a drive from me. About an hour for most. I'm a little farther north, in Carpentersville.

 

[jp_75]

speaking of wojtek: HE HAS BEST CORALS IN CHICAGO AREA! simply gonto his place and you will see. tell him i sent you there and he will hook you up with even better prices.

 

[jp_75]

sometimes i stop by at different store to see what’s happening and have to say not much! same product over and over.... aquapros is fine( different corals, fish every week, good prices dave is helpful )xzotic is just inexpensive that’s all!( a lot of sick fish!), beyond is fine for fish , aquatica really good for buying dry goods, tank it easy looks good at shows, old town is overpriced but sometimes you see nice fish!, reef plus little of everything-nice owners!, blue line is ok... lp’s and softies. not sure why place like aquarium adventure is so busy with their prices and quality?!?!
reef geeks is a joke! i know many peoppe go there but i completely can’t stand the owner! biggest lying person you will meet! just look at his facebook videos.....
really want to see wojtek to open a real store and succeed!

 

[Luna]

There is Tank It Easy in Chicago & Sho Tank Aquariums in Mundelein,Il. who partnered up with Good Water Aquatics in Kenosha, WI where I get my coral from at really good prices.

 

[ReeferJen]

sometimes i stop by at different store to see what’s happening and have to say not much! same product over and over.... aquapros is fine( different corals, fish every week, good prices dave is helpful )xzotic is just inexpensive that’s all!( a lot of sick fish!), beyond is fine for fish , aquatica really good for buying dry goods, tank it easy looks good at shows, old town is overpriced but sometimes you see nice fish!, reef plus little of everything-nice owners!, blue line is ok... lp’s and softies. not sure why place like aquarium adventure is so busy with their prices and quality?!?!
reef geeks is a joke! i know many peoppe go there but i completely can’t stand the owner! biggest lying person you will meet! just look at his facebook videos.....
really want to see wojtek to open a real store and succeed!

I would also love to see Wojtek get a storefront.

Oh, I almost forgot Ocean Designs near Addison and Cumberland. I go there for all my supplements and filter supplies. Mike the owner had always steered me right. I haven't bought livestock there, but they always have what I need in terms of supplements and filtration.

 

[that Reef Guy]

I've heard of Wojteksreef. Is an appointment required? If so, what's the best way to contact him?

You can contact him on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/wojteksreef/

He does have Amazing Corals like JP_75 Said.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Blue Line Coral
Chicagoland Aquariums
Gingerbread Corals (Just Opened in Naperville).
Reef Geeks
Sho Tank Aquariums
Tank it Easy
Wojteks Reef

 

[that Reef Guy]

Don't Forget there are Lots of Frag Swaps in Chicago.

Coral Sellers Come From all Over the Country to Sell Their Corals (There are Literally 10's of Thousands of the Best Corals to Choose from).

That is where I get ALL my Coral.



Midwest Aquatic Convention (March 24)

CMAS (Chicago Marine Aquarium Society) (April 27)

Starved Rock (IRVC) Illinois Valley Reef Club (May 19)

Aquashella (August 10 and 11)

Reef-A-Palooza Chicago (October 19 amd 20)

 

[that Reef Guy]

If you have Never Been to a Frag Swap Before Check out this Video from a previous CMAS (Chicago Marine Aquarium Society) Frag Swap to get an idea of all the fun that you will have. :)

Vendors from around the country come to sell coral (much of which are the amazing brightly colored corals that you see online).

It is also a great way to meet old friends and make new friends that are in the hobby.

You will find the hottest Zoanthids, Acros, Acans, Chalices, Mushrooms, etc. all at great prices!