SR Aquaristik in Elgin, Illinois isn't your typical fish store — it's a destination for aquascapers and planted tank enthusiasts who take hardscape seriously. Founded by Scott and his team, the shop has built a devoted following for its extraordinary selection of dragon stone, seiryu stone, and driftwood, sold both in-store and through a robust online shop with WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) listings that include exact dimensions. The showroom itself is part of the draw.
Visitors describe an aquascape gallery and "aqua lounge" filled with stunning display tanks that spark creative inspiration. A DIY hardscape station lets customers physically arrange stones and wood before committing to a design — a brilliant touch that multiple reviewers say made the drive to Elgin worthwhile. Staff member Rachel earns specific praise for her eye for design, helping customers compose hardscapes remotely over email with patience and taste.
Beyond rocks and wood, SR Aquaristik sells aquariums that reviewers describe as beautifully built, along with CO2 regulators and other planted tank equipment. One customer reported their two-stage CO2 regulator still running perfectly after several years. The shop clearly caters to the freshwater planted tank community, stocking the essential gear to build and maintain lush underwater landscapes.
What sets this business apart is the customer service, which comes up in nearly every review. Orders of 150 pounds of dragon stone arrive individually wrapped and securely boxed with fast, free shipping. Out-of-stock items get custom-pulled from inventory.
Email responses come quickly, whether you need replacement O-rings or an entire hardscape designed from scratch. One customer placed an order Monday afternoon and had it on their doorstep by Wednesday. For anyone building an aquascape in the Chicagoland area or anywhere they ship, SR Aquaristik delivers premium hardscape materials with a level of personal attention that's increasingly rare in the hobby.
Zac Gill
2 reviews
Great costumer service. I emailed with needing replacement orings and they got back to me so fast and were extremely nice and helpful.
Lauren Franklin
6 reviews
I got the literal coolest pieces of driftwood. Really appreciated the dimensions being shown. Shipping was fast. 10/10 recommend
S shrestha
4 reviews
Got these beautiful Dragonstones from them, they are exactly as I preferred. Would shop here again.
Casey Quarnstrom
5 reviews
Beautiful showroom with friendly staff. Can’t wait to check out their other store!
Eric Glab
23 reviews
I purchased a two stage regulator a few years ago and it still works like a champ. These guys have great stuff and even better customer service!
Henry Maupin
5 reviews
What an outstanding company! We ordered 150lbs of dragon stone in various sizes and couldn't be happier with our order. They individually wrapped each stone and boxed them very securely. The variety of stones well exceeded our expectations and with fast free shipping it was a great value. We will 100% be ordering from SR Aquaristik again!
D Brouwer
21 reviews
Absolutely awsome experience! The showroom was beautiful and the staff was amazing. They offered advise and shared their experiences. The DIY hardscape station is brilliant and exactly what I needed, definitely worth the drive out there.
Victoria Lee Creates
79 reviews
Can't say enough good things about this little gem. Absolutely love coming to SRaquaristik. The aquascape gallery trully helps inspire those creative juices. Thank you for always helping me.
Pete Durant
10 reviews
This place has the most unbelievable customer service I have ever run across. I wanted to purchase some rocks for my aquarium from their web site but it said that the size and amount that I wanted were out of stock. I contacted them and asked when they would have them in stock. They got back to me and said that they would put together what ever I needed. I place an order at 1:00 PM on a Monday afternoon and UPS delivered my package to me door that Wednesday. If I need anything in the future this is the first place that I will be looking.
Carlos Panozzo
9 reviews
Going above and beyond doesn't even start to describe these guys. Designing a hardscape is difficult, doing it over email is impossible. Well...they did it in a quick, professional, friendly way, accommodating my multiple request until we found the perfect combination (for me). Quality material at affordable prices with free shipping (stones and driftwood !), along with Rachel with her good taste and creativity caught me as a client that will be returning here often. Well done Guys !!!
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (847) 717-7626 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting SR Aquaristik.
Phone
(847) 717-7626Address
1441 Timber Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
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1441 Timber Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
February 7, 2026
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