Bets luck with fish store in Chicago

[Chicagoreef2016]

New to the hobby, currently waiting on my tank to cycle. Where are the best places to get fish around Chicago, or where has everyone had the best luck from a disease standpoint? Divers Den a good option due to their QT procedure?
Cheers!

 

[Danieldv6]

What part of Chicago you located?

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Always QT, even if the fish store says they do. Divers Den is good, but not bulletproof.

Favorite stores in the city limits include: New Fish, Coral Reef Pet Centre, and Old Town.

Favorite stores in the burbs: Sho Tank, Aquapros, and Aquatica

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Located in Western burbs, Downers. Got my tank and some other stuff from Aquapros. Like that place.

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Located in Western burbs, Downers. Got my tank and some other stuff from Aquapros. Like that place.

Aquapros is a personal favorite of mine due to the price range and decent selection. But in your area there is: Aquapros, reefwise, tropi-quatics, and more east is underwater world (trash though).

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Ok, good to hear that Aquapros is a good spot, my gut said that but wanted to get some other opinions.

 

[toothybugs]

Reefwise (in Lisle) has been good for me.

 

[gji]

Give aquatica a look

 

[ostrow]

I wouldn't worry about location as much as your initial concern.

Divers Den is excellent.

Locally, in order, I prefer Sho Tank/Tank it Easy (tie), Ocean Design, Reefwise,New Fish (tie).

Coral Reef is a good place but IME not for fish (disease prone). I stopped going to Aquatica years ago for similar reasons. Avoid Tropiquatics.

 

[laga77]

The last two times in Tropiquatics were bad. The first time the Butterflyfish was loaded with flukes, that can happen anywhere really, but should`t. The second time the guy handled the Potters Angel so rough he damaged the eye of the fish. This is also getting quite common all over sadly. It got infected and I was not able to save it. I will not buy from them again.

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

How much more are you typically paying per fish at Diver's Den? It seems like there is quite a markup for their QT process, but if it is a better insurance policy than most seems like it could be worth it. I plan on starting with a couple clowns, then add about 3 more fish over the following month or two in my 60 gallon cube. Looking at Divers Den it doesn't appear that at the moment they have the other fish I am looking for (I am sure that changes daily).

 

[ostrow]

If you want a thread on qt just search. There are umpteem. Some eo, some don't. Many ways to skin a cat.

The OP asked about local shops and quality of fish. A lot hinges on where they buy from and who buys. Matt at Sho Tank buys from APET. But he gets only good fish and doesn't sell til he has watched them.

Eddie at Tank it Easy is IME similar with fish he gets in.

Some of the others listed in posts here I wouldn't go near for fish...

 

[chgoblknazn]

Reefwise (in Lisle) has been good for me.

All of my livestock come exclusively from DD, Reefwise and Bestfish in Milwaukee. DD has a phenomenal livestock guarantee and Bestfish uses copper to QT. I buy from them exclusively due to selection, customer service and long-term personal relationships built on how they've treated me as a customer. New Fish is also a great shop in the city but their selection is often thin and they typically only carry the common typical reef fish.

Regardless of where you purchase your fish from, you really should QT the fish yourself especially if you've spent a nice amount on them. I've got fish upwards of $700 in my tank and I don't take any chances.