Aquarium Design Group

Walking into Aquarium Design Group in Houston feels less like entering a fish store and more like stepping into a living art gallery. The showroom features elaborate aquascaped displays that rise above the waterline, blending hardscape, live plants, and carefully chosen livestock into compositions that have drawn international attention — including features on the MD Fish Tanks YouTube channel and visits from aquarium enthusiasts as far away as El Salvador and Denmark. ADG's core identity revolves around planted tanks and aquascaping.

Their selection of hardscape materials — driftwood, stone, substrate — is extensive and high-quality, and they stock live plants that reviewers say are harder to source at other Houston shops. Staff members like Jeff, Mike, Don, and Josh bring deep expertise in planted tank design, walking customers through substrate choices, CO2 systems, RO water setups, and planting techniques right beside the display tanks. Don, in particular, draws repeat visitors who value his decades of hands-on experience.

Despite their freshwater reputation, the saltwater side surprises people. Multiple reviewers note a large coral and saltwater fish selection that belies the store's planted-tank aesthetic. Freshwater shrimp are another draw, with nano tank enthusiasts specifically seeking out ADG for their colonies and species variety.

The full-service side of the business is where ADG distinguishes itself from typical local fish stores. They design, deliver, and install custom aquariums for homes and offices, handling everything from drilling stands to aquascaping multiple tanks in a single visit. One customer described a seamless 120-gallon replacement that involved saving all existing livestock, re-drilling furniture, and aquascaping two tanks on-site without losing a single animal.

The store also carries houseplants, adding another dimension to an already browsable space. The atmosphere is decidedly low-pressure — customers describe spending time wandering the displays for inspiration before flagging down staff when they're ready. Phone and social media responsiveness is a recurring complaint, so plan to visit in person.

For Houston aquarists who value design-forward fishkeeping, ADG sets the standard.