Two Classic LFS and One Dud

While I was in Minneapolis I visited two LFS and wholesaler, The wholesaler, Bulk Reef Supply doesn’t have a showroom and only does group tours or prearranged visits. They were very nice about it and showed me the only display tank close to the front door. If you watch their YouTube channel you’ve probably seen it. It’s a large square reef set up with lots of fish and corals. A beautiful tank to be sure. I didn’t even get a picture. Each of the workstations/desks in the office have their own aquarium set up by the person using the space, this I could see from the front and I also know about it since I watch their YT channel. I felt I had intruded so I left and moved on to the next LFS on my list.

Sea Level, tropical fish and supplies was not too far away and delivered an awesome classic experience. This store sponsors the local Minnesota Aquarium Society and the owner is enthusiastic and most helpful. What a pleasure to visit a LFS like this. They have all the classic fish with a few unusual ones like half-beaks. The aquatic plants they offer are mainly in three tanks and the other tanks have very few if any plants. This LFS gets top marks from me! A must see if you live in the area or you’re visiting.

The next store we visited in the Minneapolis area has been featured on Aquarium Coop’s channel several times, so my hopes were high… they were dashed when I arrived. Twin City Guppies is located on the opposite side (NE) of the city in the Maplewood Mall. It took me a few minutes to navigate the mall and I arrived a few minutes after opening time, yet they were not open. Someone was cleaning tanks at floor level and appeared oblivious to me standing outside or to the fact they should have been open. The display tanks up front had ugly algae growing all around the tank and it was hard to see the Oscars they had inside. After about 5-10 minutes I left with a ‘sour taste in my mouth’. So, No, I do not recommend this LFS to anyone.

Later in the trip I visited another classic LFS while in Chicago, Animal Island Pet Shop. This LFS is south of the city and offers more than just fish. Even so, they embody the classic LFS perfectly. Lots of beautiful fish in lots of beautiful tanks. The store really packs them in despite the fact it is not a small store. The tanks go almost to the ceiling and the rows are somewhat narrow in my opinion. This LFS had some unusual South American fish, the usual African Cichlids and some nice nano-fish. The hobbyists in the area are quite fortunate to have a resource like this. I am very happy I visited this LFS, so it gets my highest recommendation.

The last LFS I visited is a LFS in the city I grew up in while I was visiting my Dad. Perhaps oddly, I don’t consider it my “hometown” since I really did not live there that long, perhaps a third of my life. Anyway, Aquarium Knoxville is just as I left it a few years ago on my last visit, though the pond section outside looked very sad for this time of the year. The only thing I photographed here is a most impressive aquascape I don’t remember seeing before. Knoxville has two nice LFS which I have featured before, just search Knoxville, TN on this site to read those blogs.

Most people would not think to visit an Aquarium Store (LFS) while out on vacation, though as an aquarist, it is one of my favorite things to do! Give it a try next time you are traveling, who knows what you might find!

Sequoia Elisabeth