What's In Your Tank

Tucked into a small storefront in Land O' Lakes, Florida, What's In Your Tank is a locally owned aquarium shop run by Sue, a longtime fish keeper whose depth of knowledge draws customers from over an hour away. The store carries both saltwater and freshwater livestock, with a reputation for healthy, well-maintained tanks and a coral selection that keeps reef hobbyists coming back regularly. The saltwater side is where the shop really shines.

Reviewers rave about the coral offerings—one customer picked up a stunning superman rhodactis mushroom and praised Sue's help dialing in PAR levels and hardscaping rock work. For those building their first reef tank, Sue has earned a reputation as a patient mentor, walking newcomers through the process from setup to stocking. The freshwater selection is solid too, with customers reporting success with guppies, catfish, and a range of species spanning budget-friendly community fish to harder-to-find specimens.

Beyond livestock, the shop stocks frozen foods, reef supplies, and live plants. If something isn't on the shelf, Sue will work with her suppliers to special order it—a perk that keeps loyal customers from ever needing to shop online. Multiple reviewers describe biweekly visits just to browse and chat, which speaks to the kind of relationship-driven business this is.

The store itself is small, so don't expect a warehouse experience. What you get instead is a curated inventory and one-on-one attention. The aquascaped display tanks are detailed and well-designed, offering inspiration for your own setup.

Sue's blunt honesty—she'll steer you away from a bad purchase even if it costs her a sale—has earned fierce loyalty from her regulars. It's worth noting that a handful of reviewers found the owner's communication style too direct, particularly around children touching tanks. But the overwhelming majority describe the experience as welcoming and educational.

For reef keepers and freshwater enthusiasts in the Tampa Bay area, this shop delivers expertise and livestock quality that big-box stores simply cannot match.