Best LFS in Chicago Area

[dskrezyna]

Wanted to make a neater list:
STORES
Advanced Aquatics 879 S Roselle Rd Schaumburg 847-882-5747
Aquarium Adventure Golf Rd. & Roselle Rd Hoffman Ests 847-490-9334
Aquatic Reef 737 S 8th St. (Rt 31) West Dundee 847-426-5003, S 1-5, M-F 1-8, Sa 11-6
Aquatica 16649 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park 708-633-7333
Aquatic World3041 N. Lincoln AveChicago773-935-2028,S 9-6, M-F 3-8, Sa 9-6
Beyond the Reef205 W. Golf RdSchaumburg847-885-7333,S 11-3, M Cl, T-F 1230-8, Sa 1030-5
Capture the Sea 8010 171st St Tinley Park 708-444-7615
Coral Reef Pet Ctr 7723 W. Lawrence Norridge 708-456-0768
Dark Lord Coral 3841 Arthur Ave Brookfield 708-485-0666
Deep Reef Aq 2009 63rd St Downers Grv 630-963-0373
Exotic Aquatics 2102 W Algonquin Rd Lake in the Hills 847-854-6154
Fish RAC 1512 N. Elmhurst Rd. Mt. Prospect 847-392-3064
Living Sea 811 W Devon Ave Park Ridge 847-698-7258, S 1130-4, M-T 1130-8, F 1130-9, Sa 1130-6
Ocean Design 6500 W. Irving Park Rd Chicago 773-736-9838
Odd Lot Pet Shop 7731 S. Harlem Ave Bridgeview 708-598-4141
Old Orchard Aq 9235 Skokie Blvd Skokie 847-675-3474
Old Town Aq 1538 N. Wells St Chicago 312-642-8763
Palos Pet Shop 6419 W. 127th St. Palos Heights 708-371-7110
Parrot & Aquatic Co 5804 Milwaukee Chicago 773-775-2110
Reef Dweller 6059 N Lincoln Ave Chicago 773-743-5574
Reef's Edge 101 W Romeo Rd Bolingbrook 815-293-2254
Reef Plus 935 Oak St. North Aurora 630-906-7333
Scott's Pet Shop 3054 Wolf Rd Westchester 708-562-5000
Sea Escapes1950 Silver Glen Rd South Elgin 847-695-9441
Tropi-Quatics 337 S. Main St Lombard 630-953-2696
Upscale Aquatics15412 S Route 59 Joliet 866-920-8079
Wet Pets & Friends Inc. 160-D S. Roselle Rd Schaumburg 847-891-5088
I will update this as they are mentioned.

 

[jmick]

Thought I'd add one that is an absolute must and IMO is hands down the best shop in the burbs.
Aquatic Reef in West Dundee! They have the most amazing sales like buy 10sps frags for $50 and they had another sale that was 20 for $100. On top of this they are very knowledgable, clean shop, well stocked shop and their normal prices are outstanding...they have a wide selection of all types of corals.
Also, Dark Lord Coral is another one to check out...I think they are Downers Grove area.

 

[dawman]

Beyond the Reef , Reef Plus , Advanced Aquatics ,Aquarium Adventure Hofman Estates, and Reef`s Edge in Bolingbrook have always been good to me and have great livestock and customer relations . Some have higher prices but the quality of the livestock is worth it .

 

[muggiwhplar]

I'd add Downtown Pets, around 1600 S. Michigan Ave. in the city. I think they got rid of their in-store fish (I haven't been there since I moved out of the city), but you can request fish and they'll order whatever you want for $5 per order.
Does anybody know which stores (preferably in the near western suburbs) will offer store credit for fish? I saw someone mention advanced aquatics, but I'm not a big fan of that store. But if it's the only place, maybe I'll give them a try.

 

[muggiwhplar]

Originally Posted by Jmick
Thought I'd add one that is an absolute must and IMO is hands down the best shop in the burbs.
Aquatic Reef in West Dundee! They have the most amazing sales like buy 10sps frags for $50 and they had another sale that was 20 for $100. On top of this they are very knowledgable, clean shop, well stocked shop and their normal prices are outstanding...they have a wide selection of all types of corals.
Also, Dark Lord Coral is another one to check out...I think they are Downers Grove area.
DLC is actually in Brookfield. It's an awesome store, for anyone who hasn't been there.

 

[hammerhed7]

I like reef plus, as mentioned it is small, but the prices are great. if you buy more than one thing steve the owner will discount, or throw in free stuff, once they get to know you frags are a dime a dozen.
Sea Escapes is great for fish, and they are expanding your corals, a few bucks more but good healthy stuff, and knowledgeable owners

 

[<3scopas55]

My favorites are Scott's in westchester, Sea Escapes in Elgin, and Tropiquatics in Lombard. These are by far the best ive gone to.

 

[jmick]

Originally Posted by <3Scopas55
My favorites are Scott's in westchester, Sea Escapes in Elgin, and Tropiquatics in Lombard. These are by far the best ive gone to.

LMAO, dude you need to try some new stores cus those are not good shops. Chcek out CMAS to get some insight on the other stores in the area, Scott's and Tropiquatics are terrible.

 

[jmick]

Originally Posted by Dawman
Beyond the Reef , Reef Plus , Advanced Aquatics ,Aquarium Adventure Hofman Estates, and Reef`s Edge in Bolingbrook have always been good to me and have great livestock and customer relations . Some have higher prices but the quality of the livestock is worth it .
I like Advanced although everything in Schaumburg is wayyy overpriced and Aquarium Adventure is utter rubbish. I highly recommend Aqautic Reef in West Dundee (not to far from those stores) you will get better service, livestock and pricing.

 

[jmick]

Originally Posted by muggiwhplar
DLC is actually in Brookfield. It's an awesome store, for anyone who hasn't been there.
That's right and yes, it is a great shop. The owners are really cool and they have an amazing selection of corals and fish and it's all very healthy and well priced.
It kills me that they are a few really good shops in the chicago land area and people don't know about them and instead shop at all the over priced, poor service, poor livestock, poor customer service and crappy shops. Anyone who wants the goods send me a PM.

 

[reefer545]

Originally Posted by Whitey
Im making a trip to Living Sea Aquarium on Sunday in Park Ridge
Looks pretty awesome:
http://www.livingseaaquarium.com/
Dont Bother. WAY overpriced. Knowledgeable, but over the past two years something bad happened with their tanks that they refuse to talk about. Now, they have an okay selection, but it is the highest priced place for what you get.

 

[reefer545]

Ocean Design Aquarium
Old Orchard Aquarium
Old Town Aquarium
Advanced Aquatics
In that order. All are very knowledgable. Their tanks are emaculate and fantastically set up. The staff is cool and helpful in al lof them. They are all a little pricey, but they will not sell you something without you knowing what you are getting. That is also why they are pricey -- kinda drives away the impulsers. At the same time, they all have guarantees. The only reason I put advanced aquatics last is because they dont have the selection the others have. Otherwise they would have been tied for third on my list.

 

[reefer545]

Granted. I have not had the oppurtunity to go to many of the southern stores, and the one in South Elgin is Fairly new. I moved out of the northwest suburbs years ago.

 

[dawman]

Sorry , double posted somehow .

 

[dawman]

Originally Posted by Jmick
I like Advanced although everything in Schaumburg is wayyy overpriced and Aquarium Adventure is utter rubbish. I highly recommend Aqautic Reef in West Dundee (not to far from those stores) you will get better service, livestock and pricing.
Why don`t you like Aquarium Adventure ? They have some knowledgeable employees and prices are not bad if you are a club member . I have never had an issue with any fish or invert I have purchased from them . Compared to the LFS in my area it is worth the 75 minute trip up to Aquarium Adventure , Beyond the Reef , and Advanced Aquatics . Next time we head up there we will checkout Aqautic Reef . Around me there are five LFS that have S.W. and only one I trust and has some descent livestock but not much as it is fairly small compared to the stores in Hoffman Estates . But he just got another rack system so hopefully he will get more to choose from .

 

[1boatnut]

Well there is a newer shop,maybe 8 months old now that I think is excellent.
It's called Aquatic Environments and is located in Mokena. Not sure of the exact address but it's on the corner of 187th and Wolf Rd. He has good prices,will at times take in fish for store credit,and I have nothing but good experiences with his business dealings.Jim the owner is always around to help. Their phone# is 708-478-5810.
Since his opening I have not purchased a fish elsewhere.
As mentioned,Aquatica in Tinley Park is another excellent choice.Their staff is friendly, very knowledgeable,and the owner is always around and willing to answer questions. I have picked his brain many a times.
Another place to look would be Chicago Reptile House in Orland Park.
They are located @ 14416 John Humphrey Dr.,which is around 144th and Lagrange Rd.
Hope these help

 

[jmick]

Originally Posted by Dawman
Why don`t you like Aquarium Adventure ? They have some knowledgeable employees and prices are not bad if you are a club member . I have never had an issue with any fish or invert I have purchased from them . Compared to the LFS in my area it is worth the 75 minute trip up to Aquarium Adventure , Beyond the Reef , and Advanced Aquatics . Next time we head up there we will checkout Aqautic Reef . Around me there are five LFS that have S.W. and only one I trust and has some descent livestock but not much as it is fairly small compared to the stores in Hoffman Estates . But he just got another rack system so hopefully he will get more to choose from .
The times I have been in their the prices have been out of sight...$200 for purple tangs, $90 for yellow tangs, $40 bicolor blennies, ect. ALso, their corals are in terrible shape...sps that are RTN'ing, poor colors and again wayyy overpriced. I have found their employees to be lacking in knowledge and customer service. That said, their prices on hermit crabs are ok. When I first got into the hobby I spent most of my money at the shops in Schaumburg and I really regret it. Advanced and Beyond the reef are nice shops but they are shamefully overpriced...especially Beyond the Reef.
Really, there are some outstanding shops in the Western burbs and if you are going to make that long of trip you need to check them out. Again, with either Dark Lord Coral or Aquatic Reef you can't go wrong. Also, I forgot to mentions Rod's Reef up in Dekalb which also has some great corals and fish.
Also, you have Shotank up in Mundelien which is a good shop.

 

[dskrezyna]

STORES
Advanced Aquatics 879 S Roselle Rd Schaumburg 847-882-5747
Aquarium Adventure Golf Rd. & Roselle Rd Hoffman Ests 847-490-9334, M-Sa 10-9, S 11-6
Aquatic Environments 18700 Wolf Rd Mokena 708-478-5810
Aquatic Reef 737 S 8th St. (Rt 31) West Dundee 847-426-5003, S 1-5, M-F 1-8, Sa 11-6
Aquatica 16649 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park 708-633-7333
Aquatic World 3041 N. Lincoln AveChicago773-935-2028,S 9-6, M-F 3-8, Sa 9-6
Beyond the Reef 205 W. Golf RdSchaumburg847-885-7333,S 11-3, M Cl, T-F 1230-8, Sa 1030-5
Capture the Sea 8010 171st St Tinley Park 708-444-7615
Coral Reef Pet Ctr 7723 W. Lawrence Norridge 708-456-0768
Dark Lord Coral 3841 Arthur Ave Brookfield 708-485-0666
Deep Reef Aq 2009 63rd St Downers Grv 630-963-0373
Exotic Aquatics 2102 W Algonquin Rd Lake in the Hills 847-854-6154
Fish RAC 1512 N. Elmhurst Rd. Mt. Prospect 847-392-3064
Living Sea 811 W Devon Ave Park Ridge 847-698-7258, S 1130-4, M-T 1130-8, F 1130-9, Sa 1130-6
Ocean Design 6500 W. Irving Park Rd Chicago 773-736-9838
Odd Lot Pet Shop 7731 S. Harlem Ave Bridgeview 708-598-4141
Old Orchard Aq 9235 Skokie Blvd Skokie 847-675-3474
Old Town Aq 1538 N. Wells St Chicago 312-642-8763
Palos Pet Shop 6419 W. 127th St. Palos Heights 708-371-7110
Parrot & Aquatic Co 5804 Milwaukee Chicago 773-775-2110
Reef Dweller 6059 N Lincoln Ave Chicago 773-743-5574
Reef's Edge 101 W Romeo Rd Bolingbrook 815-293-2254
Reef Plus 935 Oak St. North Aurora 630-906-7333
Rod's Reef 15100 IL Rt 23 DeKalb 815-748-2141
Scott's Pet Shop 3054 Wolf Rd Westchester 708-562-5000
Sea Escapes 1950 Silver Glen Rd South Elgin 847-695-9441
Sho Tank Aquariums 433 N. Lake St Mundelein 847-949-8265
Tropi-Quatics 337 S. Main St Lombard 630-953-2696
Upscale Aquatics 15412 S Route 59 Joliet 866-920-8079
Wet Pets & Friends Inc. 160-D S. Roselle Rd Schaumburg 847-891-5088
Updated, 11.06.07

 

[dawman]

Originally Posted by Jmick
The times I have been in their the prices have been out of sight...$200 for purple tangs, $90 for yellow tangs, $40 bicolor blennies, ect. ALso, their corals are in terrible shape...sps that are RTN'ing, poor colors and again wayyy overpriced. I have found their employees to be lacking in knowledge and customer service. That said, their prices on hermit crabs are ok. When I first got into the hobby I spent most of my money at the shops in Schaumburg and I really regret it. Advanced and Beyond the reef are nice shops but they are shamefully overpriced...especially Beyond the Reef.
Really, there are some outstanding shops in the Western burbs and if you are going to make that long of trip you need to check them out. Again, with either Dark Lord Coral or Aquatic Reef you can't go wrong. Also, I forgot to mentions Rod's Reef up in Dekalb which also has some great corals and fish.
Also, you have Shotank up in Mundelien which is a good shop.
Next time I`m up that way I will surely check out those places . I`ve been wanting to get to Rod`s for a while now and hopefully soon head over there as he is only about 45 minutes away . Thanks for the info on the other shops .

 

[dskrezyna]

I went to the Living Sea Aquarium today (on Devon) and I must say that their tanks were pristine and the fish looked healthy, many corals and inverts to choose from; they could reduce prices a tad though.