About
Walking into Sho Tank Aquariums in Mundelein, Illinois, the first thing that stops you is the massive 2,000-gallon saltwater system anchoring the front of the store. It's a statement piece that sets the tone for what this shop does best: saltwater. Corals, marine fish, and invertebrates are the heart of the operation, and the selection draws reefers from well beyond Lake County.
Multiple reviewers call it the best place for saltwater livestock in the area, and the pricing on corals consistently earns praise. Owner Steve and longtime staff members Chris, Paul, Jake, and others have built a loyal following — some customers have been shopping here for over 20 years. The staff's depth of reef knowledge is a recurring theme in reviews, with customers noting that team members take real time to discuss livestock compatibility, tank parameters, and equipment choices.
Chris in particular gets singled out for patient, detailed guidance, whether someone is cycling their first Biocube or selecting corals for an established reef. Beyond the reef focus, Sho Tank carries freshwater tropical fish, though the selection is admittedly smaller. They stock live rock, plants, frozen foods, and a rotating inventory of used equipment that tends to move quickly.
RO/DI water is available for pickup, and the shop offers tank maintenance services and custom installations for customers who want professional help at home. The store has a distinctly local, family-run feel. It's not flashy — some visitors note the space could use a refresh — but the emphasis is clearly on livestock health and customer relationships rather than retail polish.
A military discount is a nice touch, and staff have been known to carry water jugs out to customers' cars. For reef hobbyists in the northern Chicago suburbs, Sho Tank is a destination worth the drive. The coral quality, knowledgeable crew, and fair pricing on both livestock and equipment make it a shop that earns repeat visits.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Impressive 2,000-gallon saltwater display system in the storefront
- Over 20 years serving the Mundelein community
- Strong coral selection with competitive pricing
- Used equipment available at great prices
- RO/DI water available for purchase
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Staff were very helpful getting my fish tank back up and running after being in storage for a number of years. The tropical fish in stock were very healthy and have been quite active since introducing them to the tank. They did not have the largest selection of fresh water fish, but I'm very happy with the healthy fish I purchased.”
— David Reuter5.05 months ago“Friendly staff, always willing to help and provide info, allot of knowledge from everyone, perfect place if you're just starting off or are an experienced reefer, I've been coming here for over 12 years since Matt owned it and it had only gotten better, Steve, Chris, Paul, and Jake all have a ton of knowledge and in this hobby you never stop learning, exceptional service and pricing, perfect for those that need maintenance and doing custom installs, nicest corals around, and if they don't have it they can get it. This place is the reason for my success, in this hobby you're always learning, I'm glad it's through this store, thanks again guys! They also have a great selection of used equipment at great prices, but they sell fast!”
— tom wiatr5.0Edited 6 months ago“Chris was great. I wish there were more tanks for sale in the store.”
— Tom Schnur5.09 months ago“Best place to buy saltwater fish. Very knowledgeable staff.”
— Anthony Zick5.09 months ago“Lots of interesting corals and fish. The prices are pretty good here too. Staff is always friendly and helpful.”
— Life With Animals5.010 months ago“great!”
— Chris G5.010 months ago“Great stuff for any aquarium. A must see 2000 gallon saltwater system in the front. Still the best place to get saltwater critters in the area.”
— Nathan Herbst5.0Edited 11 months ago“Unfortunately I have nothing good to say about this place. I would love for this to be our local fish store as I live minutes from it but I will never go back. Recently we worked with Nick to rehome a large pleco. We were promised a “decent in-store credit” and told he would either be kept in a large tank at the store or be given to someone with a large aquarium. We brought the pleco into the shop (although very hard and sad for us to give him up - we wanted better for him as he outgrew our tank). Nick never called or followed up on the store credit. I have visited a few times to inquire and was very rudely dismissed by the store manager and told that our pleco is one of many others that people just give up and they have too many that won’t get rehomed and therefore, he will just sit there and he is not worth any money. He offered us a $5 credit to appease us. We declined and asked for Nick to call us, hopeful that the intention of rehoming our pleco was still there. We left our name and number for a call back two separate times. We were never called back and our pleco still sits in a smaller pond in the front of the store. Extremely disappointing and disheartening. Poor customer service from everyone I have dealt with there. It’s a shame…”
— Paige Zirkel1.011 months ago“I have been coming to Sho Tank for over 20 years. They are always welcoming and take good care of both customers and livestock.”
— William Lutman5.011 months ago“Nice place. Had some interesting fish that you won't see at your regular big brand stores”
— Ben Dempster5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (847) 949-8265 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Sho Tank Aquariums.