Aquatic Design Aquariums

Aquatic Design Aquariums in Plano, Texas has built a steady following among DFW aquarists with its dual focus on freshwater and saltwater livestock, a well-regarded coral selection, and a staff that regulars know by name. Shawn, Steven, Christina, Holland, and Jeff each get called out by customers for their hands-on expertise — from diagnosing tank problems on the spot to helping newcomers design their first setup. The store stocks a solid range of saltwater fish, coral frags, live rock, and invertebrates like hermit crabs and amano shrimp, earning praise as one of the better coral shops in the DFW metroplex.

On the freshwater side, you'll find healthy stem plants, affordable rocks, and a rotating cast of community fish including convict parrots and livebearers. Shrimp keepers will appreciate the variety — red and blue shrimp are frequently in stock — and at least one axolotl owner credits the staff with helping troubleshoot water quality issues specific to their city's tap water. The physical space is compact but clean and well-organized, with aquarium rocks displayed outside the storefront and plenty of parking.

Frozen fish food, marine salt, and dry goods round out the inventory, and if something isn't on the shelf, the team will order it and actually follow up with a phone call when it arrives. Water testing is available in-store, and the maintenance side of the business gets high marks — technician Jeff in particular draws loyal repeat customers. Plano shoppers have also purchased tanks as large as 110 gallons here, and the store offers consultation and proposals for new aquarium builds.

A handful of reviewers note occasional misidentification of fish species and inconsistent greetings on busy days, so it's worth double-checking what goes in your bag. But the affordable pricing, genuine expertise on both salt and fresh systems, and a willingness to problem-solve keep the regulars coming back every other week.