Best Chicago area LFS's?

[Pszemol]

For all of us in Chicagoland, what and where are the best LFS's?

I live on South/West side so I often visit "Scott's Pet Store" in Westchester, "PetLand" in Naperville. Sometimes I buy live fish food in "Tropicana" in Chicago on Archer Av West of Western (very expensive!) and another one in Chicago on Lawrence between Cumberland and Harlem Ave.

Any else worth visiting? Please everyone list your favorites...

[pscheel]

Living Sea Aquarium on Devon ave just east of Cumberland. Great selection and real pricey on both fish and corals. They have shark feedings on Sat. that are pretty cool to watch. Ocean Design Aquarium on Irving and Narragansett. Prices are O.K. but a smaller selection than Living Sea. Reef Dweller on Lincoln and Peterson has nice SPS and good selection and prices. Lastly, Aquatic World on Lincoln just south of Belmont.

[pscheel]

How do you like Scott's ?

[pscheel]

What is the name of the one on Lawrence?

[sedgro]

Personally, I would avoid The Living Sea. They constantly have a selection of unsuitable species (I don't think I have ever been there when they haven't had a tank full of orange spot file fish), they sell dyed anemones, they give bad advice just to make a sale (yeah, those Purple Queen Anthias are great beginner fish) and their prices are off the chart. Also, their invert tanks are like a study in the death process of most animals. I can't believe Julian Sprung ever visited this place or could find any inverts healthy enough for pictures in his book.

If you want to see exotic (and expensive fish) go to Old Town Aquarium instead. Although their animals may be more expensive, I guarantee they won't sell you something unsuitable for your tank or something that is not eating. They also frequently put items on sale - I got a 12" table Acropora there once for $44 just because it had a small bare spot in the center (which is gone now of course).

Aquatic World on Lincoln is so so. They don't have much of an invert selection and quite honestly most of their fish cost the same as Old Town if not more.

Reef Dweller at Peterson/Lincoln is a hidden treasure if you like SPS frags. Menard, the owner, is very knowledgable and will always give you a good deal.

I also like Scott's in Westchester. They have an awesome selection of healthy fish (for the most part) at rock bottom prices. I just saw a 8" male Scribbled Angel there for $120!! The same fish would easily be $300 at Old Town or Living Sea. Unfortunately, they also deal in unsuitable species ( Moorish Idols, Ribbon Eels, and Purple Queens to name a few) which is too bad. Invert selection is minimal but I have gotten some cool LPS. Scott's also seems to frequently get in shipments from Africa/Red Sea which is very cool. They also sometimes put all of their fish on sale for 20% off (they had Red Sea Golden Butterflies there for $80 for awhile - can't beat that price anywhere).

Coral Sea Aquarium (I think) on Lawrence (near Living Sea) used to be a lot better. Their selection has dwindled of late.

sedgro

[Hammerhead]

This isn't real close to Chicago, but has anyone been to Splash of Life in Elburn? It's been a while since I've visited them, but when I was last there, they had a lot of nice frags.

Splash of Life

Jeff

[idrum]

My 2 cents:

- Living Sea (Pk Ridge) - good selection, far too expensive.

- Old Town - great place too kill 2 hours - phenomenal CLEAN tanks, great selection (lots of exotic stuff - Eschmeyeri Leaf Fish, Linneatus Wrasse, Mystery Wrasse, etc) - However, very expensive - abouve fish are all around $400.

- Reef Dweller (Lincoln/Peterson) - my favorite - always check it every couple of weeks - GREAT sps frags - never a large selection of fish, but what he does have is usually very cool (cirrahlabrus wrasses, cool anthias, etc.) - only reef stuff. Usually has a good selection of softies, clams, etc. Prices are best in the city and Menard is a really cool and knowledgable guy. His 150 SPS display tank is stunning.

- Marine Connection (Wheeling) - only open F/S/Sun - in a basement of an office building - great selection, great prices - also one of my favorites. Chris is a good guy and gets good selection (alway keep checking back) - I got a supermale Scott's Wrasse (4") for $48 - same fish at Living Sea is $150. Never had a fish from MC die!

- Scott's - good prices, selection and sales - no help at all. If you know what you what and dont need advice - you can get good deals. Coral selection is light. Fish selection is good.

- Pet Paradise in Downer's Grove has a decent selection.

- Advanced Aquatics in Schaumburg - great coral selection, good fish - kinda pricey

- Beyond the Reef - Schaumburg - same as above, more pricey.

- Aquatic World (Chicago) - great selection, good prices - never bought anything so cant talk about the quality. Gotta check out their huge wet/dry.

My advice - Reef Dweller and Marine Connection - just keep checking back - they are never the same store week to week.

Happy Hunting