Chicago-landers(LFS recommendation)

[fishguy_8]

Scotts Pet Shop off of Wolf Road in Westchester is an excellent store for any hobby. check it out. i have been there three times now and have had 100% survival and gotten quality stuff(sun coral, finger leather, plate coral and a random button polyp of some sort) i'm going today with my brother after he gets off work. they have these amazing sting ray ponds and giant tanks for their sharks, eels and such. Not only do they have a good selection, last time i sat there and talked with one of their sales people for about an hour just on my tank and his tank and everything. they are extremely busy too so you have to go up like you are checking out at the cash register to get service but its worth it man let me tell ya its 2hrs almost from where i live but its worth every bit of it. last time i sat there and marveled at their terrariums for their poison arrow dart frogs. absolutely amazing, they have like fog machines hooked up to 'em so like youd see this haze come floating acrossed the tank.....i suggest you check the place out. if you want their phone number or directions let me know i'll email them to you.
Jon

[Tank]

Jon,
Hey man it's been awhile. While Scott's seems impressive, there are a few that blow them away as far as reef-related stuff goes. Old Town Aquarium in chicago is one of them. Also Reef-Dweller on the north side. I enjoyed Scott's for a few weeks, but for personal reasons have decided not to shop at their store EVER again. After a few incidents of being given misleading info. and dealing with their sometimes insane prices I have moved on. Just be careful what you buy there and they are probably one of the better places around. I just prefer the other two places for their knowledge and honesty.

[fishguy_8]

Where exactly are those places.....i'd be interested in going up there and checking them out sometime. scotts is alot better than any other place i've been to so far, i'd love to see these ones you say that blow him away. the one in joliet that you tipped me off to is where i go for all of my dry goods but i dont buy much off of him much anymore. his tanks are anything less than professional. how are your tanks buddy, good to hear from ya.
later
Jon

[Tank]

Heh ya the guy in Joliet is definatly not the best of the bunch. Old Town in at about 1550 N. Wells in Chicago. I go there probly 2-3times a month. Here's a link to their site. Click Me!
Reef Dweller is a bit farther North. at 5858 N. Lincoln in Chicago. Here's a link for him. Click Me!
Tanks are doing good, made the switch a few months ago to SPS only. We'll have to get togther sometime and swap some frags.

[fishguy_8]

SPS only no kidding....whatd you do with all of your other lps and that gigantic anemone of yours? i'd have no problem going up and exchanging sometime if you are interested. i only have 1 sps right now and it seems to be doing quite well. i got it from that guy in joliet and it was damn near dead so i bought it for cheap and nursed it back. the polyps are all out now and after a few months its gained these bright green tips so its well on its way back to being healthy. post some pics if you get time i'd like to see the new look. thanks for the links.....im trying to con my pops into going up w/ me seeing as i dont know the way nor do i have any money
Jon

[Tank]

I actualy still have 3 LPS and the anem. 1 Elegance and 2 Red Open Brains. Them anem is doing well, but it suffered a small set=back as it was attacked by my coral banded shrimp, it snipped the tips off of alot of it's tentacles. When I get a chance Ill shoot ya some pics.

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

There are two really nice places out here in Schaumburg. I have not been to Old Town but have heard good things. Reef Dweller is ok (kinda old or dirty feeling to me) then again I have only been there once and that was over a year ago. Since I live out in the west burbs I goto Beyond the Reef @ Roselle and Golf RD www.beyondthereef.org . I also goto Advanced Aquatics @ Roselle and Wise www.coralsandsupplies.com. Both of these stores I feel are very nice and professional.
SHOG

[Tank]

Yea Advanced is clean and nice, but I find they usualy have a limited selection of SPS corals, which is what I mainly shop for nowadays. Never been to the other shop you mentioned. Im in the South and a touch East suburbs so I dont get out that way much. Anyone ever been to Capture The Sea? It's just north of me on 171st I think, never been there just wondering if anyone has had any expiences with them?

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

Yeah, I agree. The selection of SPS's is pretty scarce there. Neil has just started getting some in if memory serves me right. As for Beyond the Reef they too are mostly LPS, Softies etc. Atleast I know here Old Town is now. I have never really looked. I do however work down town and I frequent the Hooters on 600 N. Wells. MMMMM Hooters So next time I go I will have to just take a little stroll afterwards up north.
SHOG

[Tank]

Dude I bet we've met, or at least seen each other. I often find myself in that Hooters. I work in the area for Ameritech. I almost always eat there, or at Portillo's down the street. Check Old Town out. They are kinda high, but have healthy stuff all around, and get the rare piece every now and again. What is it that you do downtown? BTW I just got back from Capture The Sea, decent store, wide selection, decent prices, emaciated fish. Hopefully I saved one today, we will see in the coming days. Also no SPS only softies and some bleached out LPS, BUT a good seletion of snails, shrimp, and variuos other cleaner critters, including a wide variety of, albiet unhealthy, fish.

[fishguy_8]

Portillos and hooters......two of the finest establishments ever! i think im going to head up to old town and reefdweller tomorrow....if i go i'll make sure to report back. if you want to talk about unhealthy fish you have to talk about the joliet store.....i almost feel guilty buying anything other than live rock there. if i buy there i feel like i did that fish a favor but at the same time......he's ordering more fish to put in those 10g tanks that have green water. well its 2am so its time for me to call it a night.....i'll let ya know what places i hit tomorrow.
Jon

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

Tank,
Small world huh... I am a field tech for Williams Comm now called WilTel. I goto the Hooters when I have to goto our 1A site a 662 N. Hudson. Which happens to be a old Ameritech / ACI site. The site is still attached to your guys's place. I go there to work trouble tickets and back up the DSM250(when the tapes need changing). My main office/site is over on printers row accross the street from your building at 500 S. federal. We are at 600. S. Federal on the 6th floor. If your ever in the hood stop by and say whats up. It's always cool to put a face with a name.

fishguy_8,
Yes let us know what you come across and what you think. As a matter of fact there is a Hooters over by Cumberland Ave which is not to far from Reefdweller. Have not been to that one yet.

SHOG

[Tank]

Yea small world. Heh I actualy may not have a chance to stop in , my last day with the company is Dec.27. I got hit by the lay-off. Currently looking for a position with ANY communications company...... I have a job locked down with RCN, but I'm still searching for something more to my liking. Anyone out there looking for an expirienced Install/Repair tech?????????

[fishguy_8]

Well we went to Old Town but not Reefdweller.....old town was pretty nice.....definitely had quality stuff and a bigger selection all around but pricey is the best way to describe it. the second i walked in i saw a pair of true percula's that i was almost certain would be leaving with me but then i saw the price and was like noooo way......$130 for a pair.....i couldnt get myself to drop that. so i went for a pair of ocellaris. its a nice place especially if you are looking for the rare fish.... i saw one fish for $1300 i about lost it.....some rare "holy grail of marine life" scorpionfish..... their coral were nice but also a little bit pricey. so basicly we went up there for a pair of clowns haha. i'll hit reefdweller and the ones in schaum. pretty soon i hope/bet. if you know of any others let me know. cant have too many stores
Jon

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

Tank,
I am so sorry to hear about that. I really wish there was something available with my company so I could get your resume to the right people. We too are laying people off. Just let someone go last week bring our total# of techs to 6 for all of IL! I wish the best for you during this trying time.

Who is RCN and what would you be doing for them?

fishguy_8,
Come on up. If you are looking for some decent prices / products / livestock you will not be disappointed. If you are coming only for SPS then you may not want to make a specail trip out of it. If you know what I mean. Advanced does have some but seems like you can count most of his SPS's for sale on fingers and toes. Matter of fact I imagine me and the kids will be up at advanced tomorrow to get some water for this weeks PWC and some more top off.
SHOG

[fishguy_8]

unfortunately i have to go back to school tomorrow (EIU in Charleston) so i wont be venturing up there until my xmas break which will be after Dec. 20th i believe. stupid fricken finals.......damn chemistry II.....who needs it.... overglorified fricken math class i tell ya.....any who.....my tank is mainly lps and other softies....sps as attractive as it is....is pricey and requires more light than i can give right now other than the one that i have now which seems to be doing well. i'm pretty big into the inverts myself.....i like clean up crews for some reason......they bring it all together i think ....always on the look for cukes and shrimp and hermits that will bring diversity. this week is gonna be hell so i'll do my best to reply asap if i see any more posts here but i'd say friday will be the begining of my freedom for a while as all college students can relate to. have a good week fellas....
Jon

[fishguy_8]

Hey guys......just thought i'd throw this other lfs i hit in Park Ridge out there as well....excellent service and selection in my opinion....its called Living Seas Aquarium..... they had beautiful tanks .....a little pricey but they were well maintained that is for sure. their staff seemed fairly knowledgeable too. i have nothing but good things to say about 'em.....i ended up just getting a book and a clean up crew but i'll be going back when my 20g is ready to be stocked.
Jon

[Micky]

Capture of the sea had a big layout when they were on archer. I been to the new store in Tinley once, about a year ago. Seemed to be ok nothing impressive. Living Sea has everything but at a Marshall Fields price. Scott's out west...well I haven't been back there in some time..
Never been to Old Town but heard much about them, I need to get up there...

[fishguy_8]

old town is more marsh. field prices than living sea is so bring a gold brick with ya ;)
Jon