Living Sea Aquarium

[nmprisons]

I don't know if I am going to make folks angry with this post, but i want to know what folks think about this store.

I have gone a few times and am always really saddened by the corals and anemones they have there. there are only one or two corals in the whole store that look healthy and they have dozens of anemones in tiny tanks with maroon clowns that look closer to death than my grandmother (and she has been dead for two years).

Do folks shop there? Other than Old Town Aquarium is there another place in the city to check out?

thanks.

 

[dohc97]

where is this store located at? have you tried going to ocean design on irving park close to narraganset? Im not an expert in saltwater but in the city i only know old town aquarium and ocean design.

 

[glbtrottr]

I work...ummm...2 blocks from Living Seas. I stop by on occasion. I know they are a CMAS supporter.

They do have a fairly large variety of fish, both freshwater and salt. Their saltwater displays are nice.

I work in a business where people pay a premium for value and service. Most every time I'm in the store, I feel like I'm inconveniencing the staff, the owners, etc.

So "value" isn't customer service.

I'll use fish as an example.

At Sea Schorr, my Helfrichi's ran under $80.
At Living Seas, they're $300.

A recent nano was $80 - elsewhere found for half that, but I needed it then.

A jug of 4 Gallons of saltwater (emergency, at work, no way to premix, blah blah) was $23+ bucks. Your local petsmart sells it for less than 10 - and that's 5 Gallons.

Their corals are overpriced, their selection meager for what it is.

A phosban reactor at Rod's is $40, at Living Seas it's $80.

If "value" was about service, maybe I'd pay the premium at Sharky's, or Rod's, or others (and often do).

But Living Seas has always struck me as overpriced, undervalued, arrogant, and really not all that.

I'd rather spend the time and drive further, even if it costs more than going online, if I get value. Short of rare convenience while at work, Living Seas doesn't make the cut - come to think of it, Coral Reef in Norridge is only a mile further, their prices are reasonable, and their service much better than Living Seas.

 

[softbal4]

glbtrottr,

would not have said it better myself! you said it perfectly.

 

[Edward Smith]

Ditto

 

[Edward Smith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7967953#post7967953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dohc97
where is this store located at? have you tried going to ocean design on irving park close to narraganset? Im not an expert in saltwater but in the city i only know old town aquarium and ocean design.

Ocean design, great store and good people.

 

[dohc97]

I remember going to coral reef in Norridge, the staff was very helpful with my freshwater purchases and then when i asked about saltwater they told me to read up as much as possible before starting( I have never had a shop tell me this before). I see water being mentioned from petco, i understand its Catalina sea water can it be bought at all the petco's in chicago or just in certain ones?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Coral Reef just had a huge facelift & the fishroom looks fantastic! I boycotted LS & turned them into the Dept of Ag, after seeing them selling dozens of bettas to a fellow, knowing they were gonna fight them. I have also seen them keeping juvie dogface puffers in BW, just to sell more of them. I consider Ocean Design & Coral Reef, my LFS. Same neighborhood as LS (within a few miles...).

 

[lynetteww125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7968734#post7968734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Edward Smith
Ocean design, great store and good people.

Ocean Design is one of my favorite fish stores....and I have been everywhere from Madison, WI to Chicago. It's definately in my top 10!

Wendy

 

[thepro]

While I agree they are overpriced, they are worth while to go to for somethings. Like I'm going to buy a flame angel in a month. Most stores may only have one or two, living sea had about 30. Even though they are about $20 more I liek that I can have more variety to pick from.

 

[Edward Smith]

Check out Deep Reef for quanity and quality and rare specimens.

 

[kerusso316]

You guys left out Menard.He can get ANYTHING you want .

 

[mako199]

Its a nice store to visit with the 2 shark /ray ponds and they have ALOT! of fish ...But becouse of the prices I never buy there.

 

[firefishbrain]

I would get fish there, but that's it, no inverts, no corals, prolly not even drygoods, seems overstaffed... doesn't seem like there is anyone to help out with you personally, just wanna sell you something and get yuo out the door...

 

[jmicky41]

I am always astounded by some of their fish prices. One time I asked if they could get me a black tang, they told me $600-$700! However, every fish I've ever gotten there has done really well. Sometimes they have good deals in their monthly mailer.

 

[Don Berry]

You should check out Reef Dweller at 5858 N Lincoln Ave.

 

[TellyFish]

Living sea is a nice store. But yea, they need to get some better lights over those clown tanks... the anenomes are always melting!

Reef Dweller, Rods Reef, sometimes old orchard, online, and living sea for variety.

 

[jcm1229]

Their once every 3 months "moonlight madness' sales are good. I've never had any problem with service, the folks seem fairly knowledgeable. Prices - yeah they're high, but they promote the store as well as any in the area and I don't think I've ever been in there when it was dead - always customers. Apparently they do VERY WELL with the maintenance side of the business. My main issue is with the gimmicks they support. First it was the glow in the dark fish (fw fish injected with a dye). Last week I went in there and saw a tank with large tin foil barbs with names like Bob and Sue painted on them - and you can order your own personalized one for I think $99!

 

[joroscoe]

went in there once and someone was trying to sell old inexperienced couple carnation telling um, yeah this will do pretty well in your tank- AND the thing was already dying AND it was like ~100.

Either inexperienced or dishonest. I understand they gotta be more expensive cuz of marketing, location, etc. But that doesn't mean I have to buy from them. Nice place to visit, buy somewhere else.

 

[yznhmr]

Il have to agree with glbtrtter 200%..