Chicago area fish stores

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Don't Forget there are Lots of Frag Swaps in Chicago.

Coral Sellers Come From all Over the Country to Sell Their Corals (There are Literally 10's of Thousands of the Best Corals to Choose from).

That is where I get ALL my Coral.




Midwest Aquatic Convention (March 24)

CMAS (Chicago Marine Aquarium Society) (April 27)

Starved Rock (IRVC) Illinois Valley Reef Club (May 19)

Aquashella (August 10 and 11)

Reef-A-Palooza Chicago (October 19 amd 20)


I'm looking forward to Reef-A-Palooza! Really glad it made its way to Chicago.

Lost of good information here! It's not always easy finding fish stores. Having a list in one spot is helpful.

Thanks again for the tips!
 
I'm looking forward to Reef-A-Palooza! Really glad it made its way to Chicago.

Lost of good information here! It's not always easy finding fish stores. Having a list in one spot is helpful.

Thanks again for the tips!

It is Going to be Epic.
 
Everyone's pretty much already mentioned everything I already visit. Blue Line Coral, Wojteks, reef plus, these 3 are the ones I frequent the most. I haven't been over to reefwise in over a year. Last I was their they had some awesome coral tanks, staff wasn't very talkative. They had just set up a ton of fish holding tanks but I never saw anything in them. Battle Corals is also just across the border up in WI, but is online only.

If you have a registered business, there is a pretty large importer in Elgin, Global Reef Supply. I see their posts on facebook all the time, but they don't sell to the public, gotta be a retailer. Always cool to see what they are moving.

Lots of local small business's who bring in some cool stuff during all the frag swaps and shows!
 
Aquatic Adventures in chicago
 
We have been to Reefwise and they had a nice selection of fish and corals but has been 2 yrs. we went to Seven seas north side of Chicago last month and they had nice fish selection but not as much coral. I would still quarantine, I bought a Potters angle from Reefwise that went through their quarantine process and went directly into by reef and I ended up with Something that killed clowns were the only fish in the tank, Now I quarantine. We’ve been to about 6 stores in Chicago and still feel that our little Wisconsin store is the best. It’s in Appleton Wi and I have never had a bad coral from him and he has a very nice selection of corals esp ancan and SPS. Always has nice fish and a lot of angles and clowns. I do not always quarantine from him and have had really good success! I lov the owner. Let me know if your up for a little drive to Wisconsin and I’ll give you the address.
 
Blue Line Coral
Chicagoland Aquariums
Gingerbread Corals (Just Opened in Naperville).
Reef Geeks
Sho Tank Aquariums
Tank it Easy
Wojteks Reef

Any info on gingerbread corals? I'm very close to Blue Line and I go there and Reef Plus the most as well as Beyond the Reef often.

It's been years since but used to go to ReefWise and ShoTank a lot.
 
A newer store in Elgin. Ocean Blue Aquatics. A couple of younger guys trying to make a go of it. Very nice people, some interesting animals. We'll see how they progress but good to see another shop open.
 
I just got a frogspawn and a couple of acans from him today. It's dangerous for my wallet that he's only 5 minutes up the street from my house.
 
Haven't heard of Blue line corals. Do they have fish as well? Or mostly coral?

I know they have Coral as that is what they Bring to the Frag Swaps.

Not sure on Fish.

But I would assume so as it is a Store.
 
A newer store in Elgin. Ocean Blue Aquatics. A couple of younger guys trying to make a go of it. Very nice people, some interesting animals. We'll see how they progress but good to see another shop open.
I live near them and they have been open for more than a year. They appear to be doing okay, hopefully they survive. The fish store business is harsh. The owner is extremely nice and not pushy.

I'd also recommend Beyond the Reef in Schaumburg. A bit pricey bit they have decent stuff. They just added a lot of "rare" freshwater fish and plants. Stuff you don't find at Petco.
 
I know this is an old thread but i'm planning a trip to the area this weekend - west side and just wondering where i should go. Have any of the above recommended places changed as far as quality and offerings go?
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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