Aquatic Visions (Naperville)

[BigBarnacles]

Hey all. Since returning to the reef/saltwater game I've made it a goal of mine to visit every local (and sometimes not too local) reef specialty stores. And since my tank is cycling there's not a whole lot else I can do. I'll post a review of all the stores I visit. Granted, my eye isn't quite as keen as those that are super experienced in the coral/fish world...so please take my opinions with a grain of salt. Also, I make it a point to visit each store with an open mind since I've heard both good and bad reviews.
My first review will be Aquatic Visions of Naperville (59 & 93rd).
My first impression of Aquatic Visions was how clean everything was. The glass on all of the tanks (and there's quite a few) was spotless. Above all of the tanks was shelving that held the dry goods. Below the tanks were several brands of salt ranging from Instant Ocean to Seachem Salinity as well as a decent selection of dry rock. They stock plenty of additives/suppliments ranging from Kent to Seachem. As far as test kits go I noticed API and Red Sea. I liked the selection of fish, shrimp, urchins, and other inverts. Everything appeared healthy to me and were eating well when I was there. As far as corals go...eh...nothing special and quite a bit of algae. Dave and ReefWise have the stuff as far as corals go. Aquatic Visions also had about 7 tanks and stands for sale as well as a small assortment of skimmers and other dry goods/foods. This is the first time I've met the owner, who appears a bit scary with his piercings and tattoos, but was very nice and talked with me for a good 20 minutes. He was also really cool with my son and was showing and telling him about all the questions the 6 year old dealt him. So, thanks for reading and I'll be reviewing Living Sea Aquarium, Reef Wise, and Aqua Pro's next.

 

[jayjigga]

Text me when you're planning to be around ma neck of the woods (Living Sea) and maybe we'll meet up. Dave at Aquapros is the MAN, btw!

 

[BigBarnacles]

Text me when you're planning to be around ma neck of the woods (Living Sea) and maybe we'll meet up. Dave at Aquapros is the MAN, btw!

Will do!

 

[cubzbiggestfan]

I live 2 feet from there and never knew there was a store there

 

[BigBarnacles]

I live 2 feet from there and never knew there was a store there

They're open Sun 12-5
M-W 12-8
Thur closed
Fri 12-8
Sat 12-6

They're in the plaza next to the wing place. Pet Supplies Plus is to their right.

 

[gournami]

I never knew either....did they open up recently?

 

[BigBarnacles]

He said they opened in late December I believe.

 

[jcw]

Good to hear that things are looking better...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2135560
(cause they were getting railed here.... Even accused of schilling.)

 

[Dss51360]

Local & not so local stores

Local & not so local stores

#1-Aquatica, 16649 Oak Park Avenue Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 633-7333.
The owner, Mario, is outstanding with a well educated staff. On a Saturday night, Mario personally delivered my 150 gallon tank, stand, canopy, sump, etc. & set it up in my home which is between Naperville & Downers at no extra charge. His livestock is outstanding & it's worth the drive. Mario receives livestock deliveries every Thursday.

#2- Chicago Reptile House. 14416 John Humphrey Drive, Orland Park, IL
(708) 349-9055. Just north of Orland Square. Good corals & fish.

#3- Petland Aquarium Adventures, 744 East Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Phone: (630) 739-1128. Decent corals & fish.
This store also receives livestock deliveries on Thursday.

#4- Premium Aquatics, 6050 East Hanna Avenue. Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 895-9005
You'll feel like you're going on vacation if you go here. I liked the Manado live rock they sell, so I bought some. LOTS of holes makes for lots of hiding places for smaller fish. Their livestock is inexpensive. GREAT low prices on salt. Local Walk-in Shopping Hours Friday 2:30-5pm, Saturday from 12pm-3pm. NO walk-in shopping hours Sun-Thu. Phone orders can be placed Mon-Fri. I've made the trek to this store with a friend of mine & we split the fuel cost. Since I drive a Prius & the buying gas in Indy, the fuel costs was minimal.
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc

Let me know what you think. Aquatica is the best of the top 3 in my opinion.

Dave

 

[BigBarnacles]

I'll have to check out Aquatica. I've been to Aquarium Adventure, that's where I ordered my pre drilled 75 gal and custom stand/canopy. Premium Aquatics I'm familiar with as I've ordered tons of stuff online from them. Thanks for the reviews.

 

[BigBarnacles]

Good to hear that things are looking better...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2135560
(cause they were getting railed here.... Even accused of schilling.)

Like I said, the place was clean, there is a decent dry goods supply, and the fish looked healthy. The corals weren't the greatest.

 

[BigKev23]

Like I said, the place was clean, there is a decent dry goods supply, and the fish looked healthy. The corals weren't the greatest.

No offense, but this place sucks. I live literally 30 seconds from here and have stopped in 5 different times. Only once has anyone even acknowledged me being in the store. While his fish selection is good, his practices are not. He only feeds the fish brine shrimp. My neighbor was interested in some anthias and wanted to see them eat pellets, but they would not touch them because he only feeds everything brine. He talked my neighbor into a yellow tang which ended up dying within 3 weeks because it wouldn't eat anything else. Last time I was in there about a week ago, several tanks had dead or dying fish in them. I stopped in there looking for some frozen mysis shrimp, but when I couldn't get anyone to help me, I decided I didn't want to give them any of my money.

 

[BigBarnacles]

No offense, but this place sucks. I live literally 30 seconds from here and have stopped in 5 different times. Only once has anyone even acknowledged me being in the store. While his fish selection is good, his practices are not. He only feeds the fish brine shrimp. My neighbor was interested in some anthias and wanted to see them eat pellets, but they would not touch them because he only feeds everything brine. He talked my neighbor into a yellow tang which ended up dying within 3 weeks because it wouldn't eat anything else. Last time I was in there about a week ago, several tanks had dead or dying fish in them. I stopped in there looking for some frozen mysis shrimp, but when I couldn't get anyone to help me, I decided I didn't want to give them any of my money.

None taken. If that would have been my experience I'd feel the same way. Maybe I got lucky? Or unlucky if that's how the place really is. At least it's somewhere close I could pick up a few test kits or suppliments if need be.

 

[christo82]

Aquatica in Tinley is cool to go to lots of fish and corals. I would steer away from buying fish from there. A few people i knoe bought fish and they all died. Maybe cause they treat their water with copper. The corals my friend picked up there were fine. There's a place in tinley not far from aquatica called robs aquatics.

http://robsaquatics.net/ the owner rob used to work at aquatica and started his own. Nice guy to deal with. My friend has been there several times and gives him a deal now and then.

http://www.oddlotpetshop.com/ if your ever in bridgeview check out oddlot pet shop. Usually has a good selection of fish and decent amount of corals too. The owner is usually there and hes real nice and honest too.

 

[BigBarnacles]

Cool. Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like Tinley has a few good shops.

 

[jagow4]

since we are all sharing our information about local fish stores let me share some here as well. Aquatic vision is the second shop this guy has owned. his first shop was in plainfield also on 59 on the west side of the street called "prestigious aquatics" or something like that. they had a shark tank there as well and were known for selling over priced fish that did not make it very long after they returned home and also in my opinion they were known world wide for selling the famous " albino gonipora" that is actually how they had it listed on the glass. for those of you that are new to the hobby that is a fancy name for bleached out/ dieing!!

i would stay away from this shop the large tattooed guy who owns it is somewhat knowledgable with the basics of a tank but gets stumped easily and makes up his own information on things that he does not know.

if you are looking for a CLEAN shop with a great assortment of corals i HIGHLY recomend going to reefwise in lisle. it is on Patton drive next to a invisable dog fence company great prices and awesome knowledge the owner has been in the hobby for 20+ years i was told and it really shows.

 

[hoju74]

Reefwise is fantastic...some of the best corals around.

Reef City Aquatics in Frankfort and FloraReef in Kankakee are also good.

 

[bigworm616]

Aquatic Visions is between Reefwise and Reefplus, either one of those is far superior to Aquatic Visions. I have never had a bad experience at either one of those LFS, i cannot say the same for Aquatic Visions. Pity, as i live so close.

 

[jwblocal701]

See now I had a bad experience at reefwise
I called about a fish he said he had it
I told him I would be in to come get it
They said ok
I go there "o sorry we sold it"
***

 

[BigKev23]

Personally, ReefWise does nothing for me. It's a nice looking shop and all, but I have been there multiple times and never find anything I want to buy. I would rather drive a little further to Aquapros.