About
Tucked away in Monroe, Michigan, Clean Aquariums lives up to its name in the most literal sense — every single tank in this compact shop gleams, and the fish inside them look vigorous and well-fed. Owner Phillip runs a tight operation, quarantining all livestock before it hits the sales floor, which customers notice immediately in the health of their purchases. From electric blue Jack Dempseys and German black rams to neon gouramis and nerite snails, the freshwater selection punches well above what you'd expect from a smaller independent store.
The live plant section is a major draw. Reviewers consistently praise the variety and condition of aquatic plants, and multiple customers have reported their purchases thriving weeks after bringing them home. Whether you're planting a lush foreground or filling out a background, there's usually something worth grabbing.
While Clean Aquariums is primarily a freshwater shop, Phillip stocks marine food and supplies and has helped at least one customer maintain a saltwater aquarium over the course of three years. His willingness to special order fish — something one customer noted no other Michigan store offered — speaks to a level of personal service that big box retailers simply can't match. One hobbyist drove an hour from Rochester Hills specifically because of that flexibility.
The supply side covers tanks (starting at 5 gallons), filters, nets, filter pads, and a solid food selection. Pricing across the board gets high marks — reviewers use words like "fair" and "reasonable" rather than "cheap," which suggests genuine value rather than cut corners. One customer picked up a full tank setup and was impressed by both the price and quality of the included products.
Phillip's knowledge is the store's secret weapon. He takes time with every customer, answering questions without pressure, offering stocking recommendations (he helped one hobbyist fill a 480-gallon tank), and patiently teaching newcomers the ropes. The shop dog greeting you at the door doesn't hurt either.
For Monroe-area aquarists tired of generic pet store advice, this is where you want to be spending your time and money.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- QuarantineConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- All fish quarantined before being displayed for sale
- Exceptional live plant variety in excellent condition
- Owner Phillip offers personalized stocking advice and special orders
- Freshwater focus with German black rams, neon gouramis, Jack Dempseys, and more
- Friendly shop dog greets customers at the door
From keepers
Customer reviews
“A very well organized LFS. Great selection for their size. Very knowledgeable owner too.”
— Fred Lederer5.02 months ago“Always clean and helpful.”
— Briana Bogoski5.03 months ago“Very knowledgeable and customer friendly”
— Rebekah5.04 months ago“Awesome selection.. Really nice guy and well upkept store I’ll be back.!!!”
— Cory Spaulding5.04 months ago“Not bad if you're in a rush, but I would rather go to the fish guys in Toledo.”
— Tiffany Henry3.06 months ago“This place is so awesome. Everything you need in one place.”
— Charlotte Goins5.09 months ago“Really great place. Owner is helpful and we really enjoyed talking with him. Aquariums are very clean. Great selection of plants, fish and supplies. Prices are very fair.”
— John Camire5.09 months ago“Bought 2 electric blue jack Dempsey on 2 different occasions the first straight up died and this one has been nibbled on but the thing is I also have a regular jack Dempsey that’s been doing great but aquarium fish.com sent me the wrong one so here I am with no electric blue jack Dempsey again 40 bucks yall pretty much stole from me we don’t do 2 week blah blah blah because they’re quarantined and healthy well the first one died on its own yall did nothing and now I have another soon to be dead on thanks your typical Aquariust”
— Flex Snipes1.09 months ago“Very clean and healthy fish, owner is a wealth of knowledge.”
— Rebecca Greenia5.010 months ago“I highly recommend Clean Aquariums. I have been using their services for almost 3 years. The owner Phillip is honest, extremely knowledgeable and has been patient in helping me learn how to keep a salt water aquarium successfully.”
— Kim Meiring5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (734) 249-8065 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Clean Aquariums.