About
AquaCave, based out of Lake Forest, Illinois, isn't your typical walk-in fish store — it's primarily an online aquarium supply powerhouse with a will-call pickup option at their office location. 7 rating, they've built a loyal following among reef keepers and freshwater hobbyists who appreciate their deep inventory and competitive pricing. What sets AquaCave apart is the sheer breadth of equipment they stock.
Customers consistently report finding items here that four or five other major vendors didn't have — from replacement tubing for Kamoer dosing pumps to parts for 35-year-old Eheim 1250 pumps. They carry Neptune Apex-compatible lighting, Bubble Magus Reef Matts, Hanna test kits, Fluval tanks, and hand-selected Marco rock for aquascaping. If you're building or maintaining a saltwater reef system or a freshwater setup, their catalog runs deep into the kind of specific, hard-to-source components that serious hobbyists need.
Shipping is a frequent highlight in reviews. Most customers report fast, well-packaged deliveries — aquariums arriving without a scratch, lights double-boxed with protective material. The will-call pickup at their Lake Forest location is a popular perk for local hobbyists who want to skip shipping costs entirely.
Pricing consistently draws praise, with open-box deals on premium equipment like Neptune Gro lights offering particularly strong value. Customer service gets high marks overall, with staff — Albert is mentioned by name — willing to spend real time troubleshooting issues and working with manufacturers on warranty claims. One customer described getting a full refund after an air pump couldn't be fixed, with AquaCave coordinating the entire process.
Email responses tend to come quickly, often within hours. There are occasional friction points around shipping timelines and return logistics, but the vast majority of buyers come back repeatedly. For reef and aquarium enthusiasts in the greater Chicago area and beyond, AquaCave delivers a reliable online shopping experience backed by people who actually understand the equipment they sell.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- ReefLive RockAquarium EquipmentDry Goods
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Massive online inventory of aquarium equipment and supplies with hard-to-find parts
- Hand-selected Marco rock for reef aquascaping
- Will-call pickup available at Lake Forest, IL location
- Carries Neptune, Eheim, Bubble Magus, Kamoer, Hanna, and Fluval products
- Open-box deals on premium equipment at reduced prices
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Second aquarium I have purchased. Great product. Delivered quickly, well packaged and looks great.”
— David V5.03 hours ago“I've ordered Marco rock several times from here, and they have always hand picked very good pieces for my aquascape.”
— Thomas Lim5.0a week ago“The aquarium light arrived in great shape and was packaged securely in an outer box with packing material protecting the inner product box. The item is correct and what I ordered. The ordering experience was very easy and I see their shop offers cool extras, which I am sure is awesome for folks who are frequent orderers. The only complaint I had was I ordered premium 1-4 day shipping. The item had not yet left their shop on day 5. I contacted customer service about the issue and they were very prompt in addressing it. I think I contacted them by email at around 8am and the problem was addressed to my satisfaction by noon. I really like that they have actual people checking their email and working with customers throughout the day. I would definitely order from this shop again for that alone. Well done!”
— J S4.0a week ago“They've got a great inventory. Four other large vendors didn't have the item I wanted in stock. They did.”
— Bob Denton5.0a week ago“I placed an order for kamoer dose pumps replacement tubing it’s been over two weeks finally got a email saying that they want a review and that package was left at front desk. My door doesn’t have a front desk nor do I have the piece I ordered I am filling a chargeback as the lady on the phone said they weren’t going to do anything about it and it’s the shipping company fault I don’t care who’s fault it is why am I paying for it all they offered was excuses. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY EVER TO ANYONE. SADLY THEY DONT HAVE ANY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE”
— Stewarts1.02 weeks ago“Purchased an air pump from this company and I had many problems with the product. The customer support from AquaCave was fantastic and they worked with the manufacturer to try to solve the issue. In the end, I returned it and received a full refund because the manufacturer was unable to find a workable solution. Will definitely shop there again.”
— Josh Weybright5.04 weeks ago“Note this is not a retail store. It has a retail store online with great selections and services but the physical location is an office”
— Edgar Coriano1.04 weeks ago“My order arrived in a short time. The items are as expected. A good experience, good prices, and a good company to deal with. Check them out.”
— robert zumpol5.0a month ago“Exactly what I wanted...I will say shipping is slow UNLESS u pay ridiculously high costs. I know its the holidays but really.”
— Fay Simmons4.0a month ago“Great on everything 👍🏻”
— Reef Life5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (847) 775-0640 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting AquaCave.