aquarium shops in Chicago

[russelas]

Does anyone know of any stores in Chicago where you can buy livestock at a fair price?

 

[Anonymous]

In Chicago only or in the entire metro area? And what type of live stock are you looking for. I go to different places depending on whether I am looking for reef fish, non-reef fish, wild caught corals, sps frags, live rock, critters, etc.

 

[jbash]

There is a thread on Chicago LFSs in the CMAS forum on RC: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthrea ... did=171835

that might be useful. It really does depend on what you are buying. For example, I think of Living Sea as a very nice shop but pricey. However quite a few people say they have good prioces (competitive) for live rock. I've never even looked at their live rock prices as Harbot Aquatics is where I go for rock.

jim b

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Jim, I did not see Old Town Aquarium on the list. They are located in Chicago on Wells street, just South of North Ave. For those that have not been there, it is a very slick set-up. They tend to specialize in rarer fish and large, wild caught sps and lps corals. But they are $$. As an example, last time I was in there, they had a bizzar color morph undulatated trigger that they wanted $2000 for (although I think they later put it on sale for 1/2 off - a mere $1000). They also had a huge frog spawn and torch, measuring 14" and 16" respectively, that were priced in the mid $200. If you got the $$, and are looking for rarer show pieces, they are worth checking out. They are also a good place to take the siginificant other to because after they see the prices, everywhere else will seem cheap.

 

[jbash]

Yes, Old TOwn is definitely worth a visit. Occassionally I find something there I can afford (it is my 2nd closest LFS but not so easy for parking). I'm not sure how that list I referenced was put together. Old Town isn't a CMAS sponsor anymore (used to be, anyone who wishes they were should speak up when they visit but I don't think that list is exactly the same as our sponsor list either.

Russelas-
I just noticed your profile shows "Purdue University". That should put you closer to Harbor Aquatics than most Chicago area stores. Harbor is listed as in Valporaiso but is out in the country, for me it means getting off I-94 at the Burns Harbor exit and going a few miles south. If you have time it is a nice road trip, generally lots of live rock and corals, a few critters. Not a bad idea to call first and make sure Joy is there (since her husband Gary died at MACNA XIII is is mainly her and she has to go to airports to get stuff). Also occassionally stock is really low and folks are disappointed. I really like buying rock there because they cure it in the light (so lots of life) and you can pull it out and stack//build structures on the concrete floor to see how it might fit together Also CMAS members get a 10% discount

jim b

 

[BradR]

I think Harbor Aquatics is definitely worth the drive, especially if you call in advance to find out when a new shipment is coming in.