Best LFS...
- Thread starter epdp14
- Start date
swegyptian
New member
Sailfin is pretty darn good considering the horror stories that you read online about most shops. Their dry goods are also great prices when on sale, but otherwise pretty painful.
aquavelvetman
New member
I've always had great luck with livestock from The Fish Man in Springfield. Fish have always been healthy and pretty decent invert selection. Good prices on fish too. They also buy frags from me on occasion.
I would give Fish Man an A rating! They are very willing to deal with you on fish/frag trades and usually have a great selection of livestock. You have to watch out for majano and aiptasia with their corals, however, but a little Joes Juice nips that in the butt! They are also willing to order whatever you want/need with a simple request!
Sloeber
Active member
Everyone develops their own favorites, and is very happy and proud to proclaim them as the best.
After visiting maybe over 100 LFS throughout the Midwest I can positively say I'm not fond of any store located in Illinois. I buy from many and recommend none.
For the record, I have never been to JRE. However, I doubt it is any different than the previous 100 stores I've been too.
All stores have good days and bad days; good stock weeks and bad stock weeks. If you really want "the best" it is a matter of finding one you are comfortable with and buying strictly from them and devloping that seller/buyer relationship.
Without the aforementioned relationship it is purely buyer beware - make sure you are a self-educated hobbyist.
HTH
After visiting maybe over 100 LFS throughout the Midwest I can positively say I'm not fond of any store located in Illinois. I buy from many and recommend none.
For the record, I have never been to JRE. However, I doubt it is any different than the previous 100 stores I've been too.
All stores have good days and bad days; good stock weeks and bad stock weeks. If you really want "the best" it is a matter of finding one you are comfortable with and buying strictly from them and devloping that seller/buyer relationship.
Without the aforementioned relationship it is purely buyer beware - make sure you are a self-educated hobbyist.
HTH
louisvilleboy
New member
todd at aquatica in louisville kentucky has the best fish and corals in town can get you what ever you want and even builds tanks and sumps and they are tpo quality i know i got one l
I again tried JRE last night.... tiny 2.5" brown maxima clams: $45. Premium Pet Supply in Bloomington had 4" Red/purple/green maximas for $50.
I agree that Sailfin is by far the best in the area. Their selection is second to none and their sales are great, although their day-to-day prices are on the higher side (not outrageous though).
Greg from Fishin Times in North Pekin has gotten a little better recently. He just bought some coral tables and stocks quite a variety of corals and inverts. His fish don't look the best after a few days in his tanks, however. I have found it is best to catch him on a shipment day if you want livestock.
I agree that Sailfin is by far the best in the area. Their selection is second to none and their sales are great, although their day-to-day prices are on the higher side (not outrageous though).
Greg from Fishin Times in North Pekin has gotten a little better recently. He just bought some coral tables and stocks quite a variety of corals and inverts. His fish don't look the best after a few days in his tanks, however. I have found it is best to catch him on a shipment day if you want livestock.
bassist6108
New member
I've been to Fish Man in springfield on several occassions over the last 6 years, and find them to be overpriced and under-informed about what they are selling. Definitely NOT worth the side trip, IMO.
Sailfin is the best if you don't want to travel far. Prices can seem steep when compared to online stores, but it is the only shop that is truly local for a lot of us. Not the best for corals, but great for fish.
There are many stores up in Chicago or the 'burbs that are great, but those are definitely not local.
Sailfin is the best if you don't want to travel far. Prices can seem steep when compared to online stores, but it is the only shop that is truly local for a lot of us. Not the best for corals, but great for fish.
There are many stores up in Chicago or the 'burbs that are great, but those are definitely not local.
Sloeber
Active member
Interesting. I would have put it the other way around actually. Coral selection is not huge, but often they have decent LPS in stock. Not so much on SPS, however. Corals arrive from the wholesaler healthy most often though, and sell quickly. Being there the morning after delivery is definitely advisable. The best corals are gone within the first day or two. They do have lots of fish, but most are geared for FO aquariums (the majority of his cliental I suspect) - not many great reef-type fish. A good selection overall, but not always healthy. Because they won't sell fish immediately it gives you a few extra days to see the stock before it gets cherry picked. Perhaps why we don't agree on this.
So you left your aquarium and went back to work so you could surf RC, eh? Nice...
bassist6108
New member
Lol. Still counts as work as long as I'm sitting at my desk. ha!
