LFS Reviews in the Milwaukee Area

[Drunes]

After years of being in the military I have had many enjoyable hours while stationed in Europe with a nice reef tank. This was before the days of RR tanks.

The Air Force then decided after 9 years I should return to the US which I was very appreciative of and moved me to Grand Forks ND where I spent the remainder of my 20 years with them. While in Grand Forks I did not get a chance to set up a tank due to various reasons one being LFS there were in generally sad shape.

Then with retirement from the service I decided to come to Milwaukee. With stability and my own house; reef keeping became once again something I could do with confidence that I was not going to move again.

So I have started, by building a fish room in the basement and gathering the necessary tools and equipment. First being RO/DI unit, 125 gallon R/R tank, Nat TE Skimmer and a few other odds and ends.

So to my point. I have only found two LFS in the area that lok promising. Considering I am a patient guy I have mapped out a plan to be ready for live stock in about six months. I would like to hear from local folks their experiances and recommendation on LFS's in the Milwaukee area.

[gooch]

Join WRS if you can. www.wisconsinreefsociety.org Next months meeting is at one of the clubs founders. Niven on the boards. They will definately push you in the right direction.

gooch

[MiddletonMark]

Great advice gooch. I'm not sure about Milwaukee area LFS myself ... but as the next two meetings are in that area - sure to draw locals who can pass on ideas.

Not sure what he has for live rock - but for corals you should check out the Green Bay area and goochscorals.com. He'd never plug it, but as a satisfied customer, I will.
Best coral shop in the state - I have other places I often get my fish [closer to home] - but after seeing a good coral shop, I find it hard to shop the Madison area LFS for corals anymore ...

I also have gotten some great coral frag trades through WRS too :D Good people there.

[Drunes]

Thanks guys for the replys.

Gooch; the wife and I were reading the WRS site last night and it looks like a great group! We plan on becoming members I was impressed by the tanks many of the members are responsible for.

Middletonmark; thanks for the tip. I have read great comments from from a number of people abou Gooch's and look forward to having a tank ready for livestock so I can make the trip.

Besides the wife has never been to Green Bay. :D This is her first year in Wisconson.

[MiddletonMark]

WRS is a great group. A couple speakers a year brought in [last year was Anthony Calfo and Eric Borneman] ... never mind good folks. It's a great resource ... and a good way to get candid impressions of LFS, etc.

[Aquabucket]

Looks like I am going to try to hit that meeting. I have friends and relatives in the area.

[Niven]

When are you coming up Aquabucket?

[Aquabucket]

First week in Feb. burrrrr.

[Niven]

Will have a nice cold beer waiting for you!

[Aquabucket]

I'll take a Leinenkugal. I like their weiss beers too. Is the date set yet for the Feb. meeting?

[Niven]

Feb 15th, Sunday at 2:00 is the meeting.


Drunes, check out Aquatics Unlimited on HWY 100 for fish. Hoffer's for run of the mill expensive stuff. Any of the pet world's to support the dying fish. As you can tell I'm a little disenchanted with local stores. So far though, I like the fish at Aquatics. Go to Gooch's, YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

from ND huh? Did you make it to the Badger games this past weekend?:)
Gareth

[Drunes]

I went by Gooch's last weekend to pick up some rock, it was excellent!

=D I use to tech computer sceince at the University of North Dakota. =D But I am a converted Badger fan though the rivalry does not seem to be as strong as it was 8 years ago. =D

Not very impressed with any of the local fish stores either. Have thought about checking out some in the Chicagoland area just not sure where to go yet maybe a few field trips this summer.

=D

[Niven]

Chicago land LFS'.
Go to Reefdwellers (www.reefaholics.com is the online store)
Then keep driving and go to Harbor Aquatics www.harboraquatics.com
You can visit The Living Sea (but from what I saw prices were way too expensive)
Also, Splash of Life (I've never been there, but heard good things)
I think you'll find Gooch's to be one of the best places though. Reefdweller does compete, but I haven't been there since they moved and he had some sweet stuff back then.
Good luck and have fun,
Gareth

[longahan]

I would recomend reefdweller,I get all my corals from him.Call the day before you go down,he has alot of stuff at his house.Thats if your into sps.Splash of life is ok but can be expesive and is a long drive.