Sea Level Aquarium

Tucked into Pine Brook, New Jersey, Sea Level Aquarium has built a loyal following among saltwater hobbyists across the region. The store's focus is clear from the moment you walk in: this is a reef destination. Customers consistently praise the coral selection, describing it as "amazing" and varied enough to fit a range of budgets — from entry-level frags to showpiece colonies.

Alongside the corals, the shop stocks a wide variety of saltwater fish and the gear needed to support a thriving marine setup from scratch. The staff is a major draw. Multiple reviewers single out one younger employee as a walking fish encyclopedia — the kind of person who can rattle off compatibility charts, care requirements, and feeding schedules without hesitation.

The owner is described as deeply knowledgeable and willing to go above and beyond, whether that means tracking down a specific species or helping a newcomer plan their first saltwater aquarium. If something isn't on the sales floor, customers are encouraged to ask — the team has a reputation for sourcing hard-to-find livestock. Pricing opinions vary.

Most reviewers call the prices reasonable to great, especially for coral and fish, though at least one customer felt the store ran on the expensive side. That said, the overall value proposition — knowledgeable guidance paired with healthy livestock and a focused saltwater inventory — keeps the majority of shoppers coming back. Sea Level Aquarium isn't trying to be everything to everyone.

It's a saltwater-first shop that leans hard into reef keeping, and that specialization shows in the quality and depth of its coral offerings. For marine aquarists in northern New Jersey looking for a dedicated reef store with staff who genuinely know their stuff, it's well worth the visit to Pine Brook.