Which Pet Shop do you perfer?

[alpine]

clamlvr

the store is at:

Coral Reef Pet Center (Jim/Mitch) -- 7723 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge 60706
708-456-0768

I was there yesterday picking up a much needed algae blenny and I asked upon check out if they gave cmas members a discount and the girl said that they used to but that they did'nt anymore.

Jorge

 

[derrikd]

how do i become a member of the CMAS ??? i live in bartlett... any info would be great thanks

 

[derrikd]

oh..by the way there is a salt water store in elgin..south elgin on randall road and silver glean called sea escapes that is not that bad eather..

 

[makoshark]

CMAS Membership

CMAS Membership

Click Here

 

[slug]

On my last trip to Chicago I went to what I thought was Reef Dweller on Lincoln Ave. I was looking for frags and according to their website they had some nice ones...

Maybe they were at the big convention a few weeks ago and got cleaned out. The one frag tank they had was just basically a hair algae farm with a bunch of mediocre frags.

I heard they were a good store, did I just go at the wrong time?

I guess I'll try the new Splash of Life next time.

 

[jbash]

FYI, A Splash of Life _IS_ still a CMAS Supporting Dealer. I talked to Brett at IMAC and he still wants to be one. I suspect that when Glenn & Brett split that the one entry was edited rather than split into two. I've asked our new webmaster to update this on the web.

jim b

 

[makoshark]

On my last trip to Chicago I went to what I thought was Reef Dweller on Lincoln Ave. I was looking for frags and according to their website they had some nice ones...

Maybe they were at the big convention a few weeks ago and got cleaned out. The one frag tank they had was just basically a hair algae farm with a bunch of mediocre frags.

I heard they were a good store, did I just go at the wrong time?

I guess I'll try the new Splash of Life next time.

Slug,

I'm sorry to hear that. I started this thread partly due to all the folks coming in from out or town for IMAC. Perhaps Reef Dweller has been cleaned out due to this thread. I have not made it up that way yet, but perhaps some other members can comment on thier findings from recent trips.

I haven't made it to Splash of life either but I can tell you that I was at Advanced Aquatics this past weekend and Glen has some really nice corals.

HTH

 

[imbuggin]

reefdwellers not cleaned out

reefdwellers not cleaned out

they are not cleaned out. He has moved stores recently and all his great corals are in his tank at home. If you call him a day in advance he will cut frags from his home tank and bring them in for you. They are the best frags in chicago. Definately the most aquacultred variety..call menard first next time.

 

[ReefHobbyist]

Re: Store update

Re: Store update

I thought I would post an update. Saltwater Specialties in Antioch was sold to one of the employees, Steve I believe. It is currently being remodeled. He is having a grand openning on May 9. I'm not sure what the new name is.

He says he's going to have a frag tank as well.

I will post more when I know (Probably after May 9).

Scott

I just stopped in the new store. It is called "Lake County Aquarium". The new owner is Steve and he is still giving a CMAS discount.

Scott

 

[Ti_Lavender]

ReefHobbyist- Last time I went there they weren't that good. Is the new store better? Would you recommend stopping there, did they get their frag tank set-up?

 

[ReefHobbyist]

lexusboy,

There is still alot of work going on, not many corals. He says he has a shippment coming. No frag tank yet, but he says it's coming. I'll be stopping in every couple weeks or so to see how it is going.

Scott

 

[Ti_Lavender]

ReefHobbyist thanks for replying i'll wait awhile until he has the frag tank, its a little drive to get there. Cool my name is also Scott.

 

[rallendorph]

Greetings...

Greetings...

Hi folks,

I just moved into Park Ridge, and am getting acclimated. I found the CMAS web site, and downloaded a membership form. Unfortunately, I also saw that there are no more meetings until end of summer. Are there any other local groups / clubs that are active through the summer ?

I am in the process of designing (and soon) building a large reef tank. I hope to start ordering stuff this week. I figure in 2 to 3 months I'll be ready for LR & sand.

I've spoken with the folks at Living Sea Aquarium in PR several times now, and they have been very attentive (and patient) to my many questions. Unfortunately, they don't source all the components I wish to use, and won't touch those items they don't sell. :sad2: I understand this, and in general don't have a problem with it, but it means I can't request their assistance with the design and implementation. (I still plan to source several items from them. :thumbsup: )

Knowing I am going to be acquiring components from multiple sources, I am looking for a store or consultant I can work with to finalize my design plans, and potentially aid in the implementation.

Thanks,
Rob A. :beer:

 

[Dag]

Rob A, I had the same problem. It was either take their whole program or you were on your own. Not just them, every professional store or installer. what do you need?

 

[mhurley]

Beyond The Reef-Bad

Beyond The Reef-Bad

Beyond The Reef=Grrrrrrr....I just walked in the door and walked right back out. Big banner inside the front door:

"We Sell Nemo"

I'm done with them, never stepping foot in there again.

 

[klierman]

i gotta say, i really like the store in terms of their displays and stuff, but i haven't been impressed with the people there and how they answer my questions, etc. Pretty much the typical LSF crap you hear about here all the time.

They do have a younger, manager guy that was there one evening that seems less bad... but i only talked to him once.

K

 

[makoshark]

Splash of Life

Splash of Life

I was heading out to Elburn for work last Friday and thought that while I was there I'd stop in and see Brett at A Splash of Life. I checked the web page and it said that he is open:
"Tuesââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“Friday 10 to 7PM
Saturday 10 to 5
Sunday 11 to 4"

When I got there the window says that they are closed Mon-Fri.

So if you want to go to A Splash of Life make sure it is on the weekend and phone first.

 

[PacRim]

I think Brett is open during the week in the evenings(T-F 4-7pm). Or at least, as of a couple of weeks ago. His web site has not been updated in awhile, since he has been very busy with the pond part of the business.

 

[makoshark]

I think Brett is open during the week in the evenings(T-F 4-7pm). Or at least, as of a couple of weeks ago. His web site has not been updated in awhile, since he has been very busy with the pond part of the business.

Thanks for the info PacRim. The window definately said closed mon-fri. I'm glad to hear that he has enough business to pay the rent so the store says open whatever hours he decides to keep.

I sent him an e-mail to let him know that the web page needs to be updated. I mostly wanted to let everyone else here know so that they don't find themselves salivating at the window but unable to go in. I certainly won't take a ride out there if I don't know if someone is going to be there or not.

 

[makoshark]

Splash of life update

Splash of life update

I heard back from Bret:

"I'm sorry about that someone will be here starting in July.
the safe hours for now are tues thru friday from 4-7pm
sat.10-5pm and 11-4 sun. thanks brett"

I would still phone first. Luckily I was already headed that way when they were closed. I would have been pretty steamed if I was only going out there to buy corals.

On the flip side, I would like to say that I had been there once before and liked his selection of corals. The picture of the trough that you see on the web page is much more impressive in person when you are looking down at all of those corals. I bought a torch coral and a bubble coral when I was there and both are doing quite well.

His operatoin is mostly corals. I didn't see too many fish and don't recall seeing much live rock but again if coral is what you are after he has plenty of it.

I'm going to email a moderator and have a splash of life added to the poll.