So... Where do you shop?

[jmkarcz]

I've been compiling a list over the last few months, of all the shops that have marine livestock and/or corals/inverts. Forthose of you like me who have been in the hobby for a while, you know a shop will open up, and you only hear about it by word of mouth. I will gladly share my list with anyone who requests it, but if everyone will weigh in, I may be able to add a few. I have been putting them into the MS Streets program, making it very much like a GPS when run from my laptop in the car. The street address is very much important, as is the city. I was brought up with the mentality that asking a store owner "if you know of any other places to shop at..." was rude, (sorry Spike.) After learning about CBF though, a place at my doorstep for quite a while, but I never knew, I realized I needed to get back to my list.

1 simple rule about location though. The store must be in Wisconsin, and /or a state that touches a Wisconsin Boarder.

So... Where do you shop? (plugs are encouraged)

Jason

Maybe this could lead us to a group caravan shopping trip...

(I'll be disappointed if I don't hear from Spike)

 

[Aquabucket]

I inform my customers of only two other places for corals. Gooch's and Coral Boy Farms because they are both knowledgable and ethical.

Remember I am a reefer first like you guys and like to shop around myself. When ordering wholesale I never know exactly what I'am going to get in so its nice to go to other places to see what's out there.

I am never worried about competition ~ only what I can do to improve my modest dept. I also dig the opportunity to help new hobbyists and guide them in the right direction.

On average I am getting handful of newbies a week who want to take the leap from FW and that alone gets me going.

 

[z28cam]

Well if you really want out of state stores(Illinois) I have a list of 15+

 

[jmkarcz]

Chicago and south? I have several. wanna email them, or if you photocopy them and give them to me at the next meeting, I will type them and locate them on the map. I hope to list only the stores worth stopping at.. No offense to any freshwater peoples out there in water land, but I don't want to waste time stopping at a place called Al's Angelfish, and look at freshwater angels only. I am really excited to share the list, I never know what I will come home with. On my last trip, I went to 18 stores in chicago, 8 of which I won't wast my time with again. The last store though, had Beautiful tanks! Several were 150-250 gallon coral tanks, and frags everywhere. Store was clean, tanks were well taken care of, and best of all, I found the 2 large maroons I was in search of. If I take that 500 mile round trip again, I'm going there first.

I beleive this place was called Advanced Aquatics - in a Western Sub of Chicago. I'm at work now, but can get the address later.

My wife and I have sometimes gone on weekend trips to Chicago.
Leave Friday / or even Thursday. But we have discussed further. but it has to be worth the while. While I have sereral stops in northern Milwaukee, like Aquatic Exhibitors with the huge nurse shark tank - while very functional, not as pretty, but worth the stop. And not to forget Hoffers, Very / Very cool to see, Pricy, but again worth the stop.

I could go on for pages though, all are only my opinions. I just remember driving 45 minutes through the hearth ao Milwaukee for a store called something like Marine Surplus and they had turtles.

Like I discussed after the last meeting on the ride home with the guys, better livestock, better choices, new ideas, better stores, better prices... allows all of us to grow the hobby faster / and better.

Any input welcome from all. So... Where do you shop?

Jason

p.s. I bought a beautiful huge puffer from a Chicago store known primarily for dog food. I would have never stopped there even after seeing the outside - but the waiter at the Chilies resturarunt that we ate at the nite before recommended it... he to has saltwater.

 

[jmkarcz]

This started for me when my UPS lady told me of 2 fish wholesalers in Chicago, and got the addresses wrong. She said she got a queen angel for 75$.

Jason

 

[kass03]

I wish there was a good place around here but I think Spike is definately on the right path to getting there when he does all the changes. I can't wait.

kass

 

[z28cam]

Here... are a few

Old Town Aquariums (known for exotic rare saltwater fish)
1538 North Wells
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 6428763

Beyond The Reef (25+ tanks all saltwater)
205 W. Golf
Schaumburg, IL 60195
847-885-REEF (7333)

Advanced Aquatics (Tons of frags, watch for flatworms and redbugs though!!)
879 S. Roselle
Schaumburg, IL 60193
847-882-5747

 

[jmkarcz]

Cool, I'll add them!

J

 

[jmkarcz]

This is what I was thinking, I can zoom in or out on the streets progarm though, the pdf's are only pictures. Please keep stores comming. I have some. I frequently see messages like... "Going to Wausau ... are there any good stores there?" I would love to add more!

Please see the examples

Jason

 

[resle]

Here... are a few

Old Town Aquariums (known for exotic rare saltwater fish)
1538 North Wells
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 6428763

i was just in chicago yesteray and went their i was surprised at the knowlege of the workers(havent been to many fish stores) and the selection especily for a relativly small shop i was also plesantly surprised to see altum angels, for those that dont know about freshwater they are extremly rare and are very close to impossible to get! sorry for goin OT but i was so excited

 

[nickj88]

Waterford Wi

Waterford Wi

In waterford there is a newer shop called Aquatics by KR.
At the moment not much for Coral, but does have great prices on fish and dry goods.
Very honest guy with excellent service.

Aquatics By KR
202 East Main Street
Waterford, WI 53185

If you can, could you PM me your list of the other shops.

 

[jmkarcz]

nickj88
I am retyping the info in a text file, it is in a MS Streets Format. I can pdf a specific city, but all of the ones I have are between Green Bay and Chicago, Yours is the first outside that realm. I will send it in a few days when it's done,

Jason.

I was thinking of moving this to the WRS area, it might get more reaction there.

 

[nellie54914]

hey Jason, could you post what you have in the Fox Valley area? I don't really know of many places so I don't have anything to add to it (sorry!) but it would nice to know of any in the area. Maybe you'd get more to add to it if people could see what you have, maybe they'd add to it more if they know you don't already have it. Or maybe not.

 

[jmkarcz]

Please do not renumber, these correspond with the push pins in the map. Please post more, I do not have much of anything for Appleton, Oshkosh, Fondulac, Madison, EauClair, Wausau, and Pretty much the rest of the state. Worse yet, I am sure there are great places missing. Opinions are only that. Please do not get offended. I was ejected from a store in Kenosh. Cleark was very arguementative, maybe high. Was a great store though... So I found 47 others that want my money.


#001 DR FOSTER AND SMITH
AIR PARK RD
REINLANDER WI
715 369 9312
MF 9-6 SAT 9-5 WHAREHOUSE CLOSES 5PM WEEKDAYS!

#002 PETCO WEST
2515 W Mason St
Green Bay, WI 54303
920 490 0440 7 DAYS A WEEK

#003 PETCO EAST
2380 E Mason St
Green Bay, WI 54302
920 465 1983 7 DAYS A WEEK

#004 ADVANCED AQUARIUMS ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ ADAM
239 N Broadway St
Green Bay, WI 54303
920 432 6669 CHANGING HRS

#005 Aquatic Imports ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Jeff
314 N Clay St
Green Bay, WI 54301
920 432 3842 MF-12-8 SS12-5
NEW STORE 2005????

#006 ANIMAL ADVENTURE ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ STRIP MALL
2785 S Oneida St
Green Bay, WI 54304
MF-10-9 SA 10-5 S 12-5
920 - 494 0499

#007 Coralboy Farms ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Wholsaler
1310 Lakeshore Rd
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Kevin - (920) 388 - 0342
call prior to visit.

#008 JUST PETS ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“
702 W Northland Ave
Appleton, WI 54914
920 733 6788 IN BACK OF PET SUPPLIES PLUS

#009 COLONIAL PET
1319 S 35th St
Manitowoc, WI 54220
920 682 0713

#010 PETS
1921 N 8th St
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Didn't know prices 4 weeks running! clerk couldn't help!

#011 NOAHS ARK
1921 N 8th St
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920 458 6825
Bring mask - ammonia!

#012 PETS 4 LESS
817 Michigan Ave
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920 457 7387

#013 PET SUPPLY OUTLET
3112 S Business Dr
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920 208 1026

#014 Lincoln Tropical fish and Pets
1935 W Silver Spring Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53209
"On hiway 60 in Hartford"
"Down Town"

#015 AQUATIC WORLD DISCOUNT
5740 Brown St
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
262 567 7339 - GET HOURS
VERIFY PIN LOCATION

#016 ANIMAL ADVENTURE PETS
8532 W Brown Deer Rd
Milwaukee, WI 53224
414 355 8844
sw?

#017 HOFFERS TROPIC LIFE PETS
7323 N 76th St
Milwaukee, WI 53223
414 760 2257
#018 ANIMAL PALACE INC
6225 N Teutonia Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53209
414 462 2289

#019 AAA PET SUPPLIES
5712 N Teutonia Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53209
414 464 3330
swf?

#020 Marine Land Pets
1935 W Silver Spring Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Per horkn ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ RC

#021 RAINBOW PETS
3470 N Oakland Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53211
414 964 7487

#022 MC PETS
6817 W North Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53213
414 476 8640

#023 AQUA TERRA AQUARIUMS
6410 W North Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53213
NO SALTWATER!!!
414 774 6080

#024 AQUA EXHIBITS
1335 N Martin Luther King Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414 224 0486 7 DAYS USUALY

#025 SEVEN SEAS AQUATICS
215 W Florida St
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414 272 7966

#026 AL-MAR PET SHOPPE
9308 W National Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53227
414 541 6000
#027 PET WORLD INC
2984 S 108th St
Milwaukee, WI 53227
414 327 3737

#028 AQUATICS UNLIMITED
3550 S 108th St
Milwaukee, WI 53228
414 543 2552

#029 AQUATIC DISPLAYS INC
7544 W Oklahoma Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53219
414 545 3611

#030 NAIA AQUARIUM AND PET SUPPLY
2836 S 16th St
Milwaukee, WI 53215
414 643 0135

#031 GARY'S JUNGLE PETS
2857 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414 744 3338

#032 PETS N STUFF
S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207

#033 Aquatics by KR
202 E Main St
Waterford, WI 53185
Little coral, fish and dry goods

#034 AQUALAND PET CENTER
3728 Douglas Ave
Racine, WI 53402
608 681 2035

#035 FISHY BIZNESS
5623 6th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53140
262 605 0764
Got kicked out of store - think clerk was high! - Great Store though. Watch what you wear.

#036 JIMS AQUARIUM AND PETS
6205 75th St
Kenosha, WI 53142
262 694 4222


#037 SERPENT SAFARI
6170 Grand Ave
Gurnee, IL 60031
847 855 8800 SW???

#038 CHIPS PET SHOP
401 N Riverside Dr
Gurnee, IL 60031
SUITE #16
847 336 2939 SW???

#039 CHIPS PET SHOP
748 N Green Bay Rd
Waukegan, IL 60085
847 336 2939

#040 Beyond the Reef
205 W Golf Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 885 - REEF (7333)
(25 + SW tanks)

#041 ADVANCED AQUATICS
879 S Roselle Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193
M-F 12-8 Sat 12-6 Sun 12-4
(847) 822 - 5747
!Watch for Flatworms and Redbugs - tonsof frags!

#042 Old Town Aquariums
1538 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
(Known for rare and exoticf saltwater fish)

#043 CHICAGO AQUATICS
14412 John Humphrey Dr
Orland Park, IL 60462
(Well worth the visit both corals and fish!)

#044 KING NEPTUNE
613 W JEFFERSON
SHOREWOOD
MF 9-8 SAT 9-5 SUN 11-5
(Verrry little salt- no corals) 1/05 jmk

#045 CHAD'S FISH AND CRITTERS
10344 Oak Park Ave
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
499-8006 - did not visit sw???

#046 Palos Pets
6419 W 127th St
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Lied about Chicago Aquatics -
Said was a run down store - not worth visit.

#047 BARRIER REEF AQUATICS
CALL FOR LOCATION
773 581 7333
2005 HOURS
M-F 3-8 SAT/SUN 11-6

#048 CAPITAL PET FOOD SUPERMART
17500 Cicero Ave
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Had corals and fish, but know you info - were not helpful.

 

[daddavis1]

There are 2 in Madison that have impressive Stock PET WORLD off Fish Hatchery from the 12/18 Beltline and ANIMART off High Park from USh 151

 

[nellie54914]

We hadn't been to Animal Adventure in Appleton for a while and went there a couple days ago when looking for some supplies. I coudn't believe how bad their reef tank looked!! Hair algea everywhere in there, it looks like they're not even trying to get rid of it! We've had our own hair algea outbreaks, but we'd never let it get that bad before at least picking it off and doing some scrubbing. There was even a clown snuggled up in a big patch of it like it was an anemone. Come one, if you're going to sell something at least ATTEMPT to make the tank look presentable!!

 

[z28cam]

We were there yesterday looking for a cleaner shrimp and we always look at that tank when we are there. It gets worse every time. I almost want to volunteer my time and get that thing back in shape. I'm sure they do as little as possible to their tanks. I don't know how they can even still try and sell corals out of that tank. I would be extremely embarrassed.

~Joe~

 

[kiowascout]

I was there on wednesday and was jut horrified at the conditions of their tanks. in that reef tank there was a yellow tang that looked like it hadnt eaten in weeks and the hair algae was so long and thick that a clown was actually hosting it clump!

Twas a shame because I would probably have purchased that toadstool leather on the left if the tank were in better shape.

 

[z28cam]

Oh my god, I totaly forgot about that clown.

Barry and I saw it and we laughed our asses off.

 

[jmkarcz]

No one beats the tanks at Noah's in Sheboygan. Breathe heavy befor going in, as the ammonia is SO bad... listed as #11. My wife won't come in anymore... I wouldn't buy livestock there, but I always find a rock I can't live without... Over priced and ....Yuck.