What are your MUST VISIT stores in Chicagoland?

nanodude87

New member
I've been visiting some old and new stores in the area and some have been pretty disappointing.

What are your favorites and maybe ones I shouldn't bother visiting?

The better stores I've been to are:
Aquapros in Glen Ellyn
Beyond the Reef in Schaumburg
Reefwise in Lisle
Xzotic Aquatic World & underwater worlds in Bensenville for fish & inverts at fair prices
 
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when I came in from St. Louis i went to Reefwise and I was very impressed. Prolly one of the cleanest and best set up LFS Ive been to.
 
Aquapros
Seven Seas Aquatic
Tank it Easy-was there yesterday, took some pics will post them with my comments above in the correct subject if not today then tomorrow. Really really nice.
 
I second tank it easy, I was there yesterday and it was the first visit since they expanded. Very nice stuff, prices right there with everyone else and some familiar faces
 
I'm actually putting together a website that has a listing of fish stores across the country. Here is a link for if you want to check it out, maybe there are some stores you hadn't heard of.

FishStoresNearMe.com

Also, for nanodude87, I was just wondering for Underwater Worlds has a retail location or are they only a service company?
 
Have we covered all of the must visit stores? Tank it easy was really nice and clean. I visited this weekend so the coral selection was a little light because they had brought stuff to the aquatic experience expo. I would go back though it was a nice place!
 
If you haven't tried ShoTank in Mundelein it's a nice LFS. Not flashy (except for the 1000g display) just a nice place to visit. Almost always see the owner who is a genuine fan of the hobby.
 
I'm actually putting together a website that has a listing of fish stores across the country. Here is a link for if you want to check it out, maybe there are some stores you hadn't heard of.

FishStoresNearMe.com

Also, for nanodude87, I was just wondering for Underwater Worlds has a retail location or are they only a service company?



Yes they are a retail location as well. Located in a warehouse

Underwater World Fish & Reef
354 Country Club Dr Bensenville
 
Well I did my first trip to Seven Sea Aquatic On blackfriday. all I can say is I will be back Fabio is a Super good guy and with out the sale price still good Pricing on fish and Coral has lot of Jason Fox corals
 
Tony at ocean design. Was really helpful. After inheriting a 125 reef set up two weeks ago. Was very willing to trad some of our very overgrown Kenya tree. Got some nice zoas and pulsing Xenia. Great prices on most everything.


Did some fish store exploring myself Black Friday.
Really liked xzotic out in bensonville. Great frag selection. Fish seemed pretty picked over.
Old orchard aquarium was pretty nice. Quite expensive. But a bunch of cool stuff. Some deals to be had if you look around.
They were not receptive of trades. I'm sure stores have to be picky about what they bring in.
Always on the hunt for another cool fish store.
Sad living sea closed. I loved that place.

If you are in the city near division and Milwaukee. New fish is a cool little store as well. Planted and reef stuff.
Looking forward to watching this 125 grow after such a long break from reef keeping.
 
Up in Milwaukee, it's a little place called 'Best Fish'- not too far from Chi town.

Every year our club - Wisconsin Reef Society- sponsors a tour bus trip from the fairgrounds in Milwaukee to several of the Chi twon stores mentioned, for a day long 'bus trip'.
It's always quite the socialite adventure- black tie only- J/K, but we drink along the way, chat, buy things, etc.
 
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