Aquatic Experience!!!

I heard they are not having it in Chicago next year because we're too cheap

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TM458 said:
I heard they are not having it in Chicago next year because we're too cheap

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They talked about it at raffle said they stayed in chicago longer then they were supposed to they wanted to make it a multi state event and rotate. Next yr is New Jersey and they said the yr after might be Chicago again .
 
Peaches said:
They talked about it at raffle said they stayed in chicago longer then they were supposed to they wanted to make it a multi state event and rotate. Next yr is New Jersey and they said the yr after might be Chicago again .
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It was ok nothing impressive. I hope a all reef/ saltwater expo comes soon. I feel like we spent more time looking for parking then inside.


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Kamreefer said:
It was ok nothing impressive. I hope a all reef/ saltwater expo comes soon. I feel like we spent more time looking for parking then inside.


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As this was our first one we spent a lot of time looking but I would say it got old and repeatative half way through

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Chicago needs its own show period, I don’t wanna see DAS aquarium displays, I don’t want to see 5 different booths with a guy sitting behind a table and a 5 gallon tank on it with a betta, bubbler, or mini shrimp. The shrimp competition and display at the show took up too much real estate. Deep Blue brought nothing new, Seaphora brought Deep Blue tanks with their own brand on it. What I wanna see is a toe to toe balls out competition amongst LFS, private coral suppliers, tank manufacturers, etc to see who brought out the best, wether quality or value. There are many LFS, private coral dealers, tank manufacturers in or near the chicagoland area that people may not be aware of and a chicagoland show that highlighted local business would be great.
 
r33fswagg3r said:
Chicago needs its own show period, I don’t wanna see DAS aquarium displays, I don’t want to see 5 different booths with a guy sitting behind a table and a 5 gallon tank on it with a betta, bubbler, or mini shrimp. The shrimp competition and display at the show took up too much real estate. Deep Blue brought nothing new, Seaphora brought Deep Blue tanks with their own brand on it. What I wanna see is a toe to toe balls out competition amongst LFS, private coral suppliers, tank manufacturers, etc to see who brought out the best, wether quality or value. There are many LFS, private coral dealers, tank manufacturers in or near the chicagoland area that people may not be aware of and a chicagoland show that highlighted local business would be great.
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Yea that would be awesome if they did something like that but problem is I think that LFS might not want to spend the money on renting out a little 10x10 booth for the money is cost and not making it back even tho in the long run it will help bring more customers and buissnes to their store

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this show is growing every year since it has been started. it successful because it focuses on all types of aquarium hobbyists. it's not meant to be a saltwater show or a frag swap. This allows for a wider audience and new people to get into the hobby. it promotes the aquarium hobby and does a wonderful job of it. they probably got close to breaking 7000 people in attendance this year. no saltwater only show could do this. Personally I have met tons of new people getting into the hobby and that is great. personally i love being a vendor at this show and can't wait for it to come back. I'm considering going to New Jersey for the next one.
 
Unfortunately what I've heard from a lot of vendors over the years that Chicago is a poor marine aquaria market in proportion to other cities of similar size. There isn't a single, unified community of reef keepers because of so much historic infighting and exploitation of fellow hobbyists so that makes our market weaker as well. If you also include the effect of nationwide ecommerce putting many LFS out of business, further reducing exposure to new people about the hobby, we are losing more reefers than we are getting. Hobby continues to get more and more expensive and that doesn't help either. Lack of local support and high probability of failure prevent most from staying in long term.
 
I loved going to the show every year. I’m not so sure we should take the blame for being cheap if that is the reason for moving. Every planned tank upgrade was due to seeing the tank in person at the show. Every product I use now is a result of going to the show and talking with reps. Lou @ Tropic Marin was excellent to talk to. I always learn so much from him and he graciously throws tons of product at me which I now use because of that interaction with him.

The coral side of the show leaves mixed feelings for me. I love seeing the variety, but the prices are not where they need to be. Browsing the vendors, I found I could get better prices online with the same size Frags. Prices were a little better the last day. There were two vendors there that I purchased a ton of Frags from and also shop at outside the show who always have great prices and deals. But the majority at the show were way overpriced.
 
The Aquatic Experience was originally supposed to be a travelling show and was never intended to stay only in Chicago.
 
I went on saturday, and this was my 4th year going. It was decent, but if they did it again they would either need a new venue, or try to book a date when there aren't other events there. The parking is getting ridiculous. People were parking in the grass just to get spots.

I didn't buy anything this time, but there were a few things I was looking at. I instead grabbed a handful of the 40% off coupons for aquarium adventure and will probably hit them up at random times.
 
icedearth15324 said:
I went on saturday, and this was my 4th year going. It was decent, but if they did it again they would either need a new venue, or try to book a date when there aren't other events there. The parking is getting ridiculous. People were parking in the grass just to get spots.

I didn't buy anything this time, but there were a few things I was looking at. I instead grabbed a handful of the 40% off coupons for aquarium adventure and will probably hit them up at random times.
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I agree on parking. Getting out was just as bad because of people parking in spots they shouldn't have.

There was a black Cadillac taking up two spots when I walked by
 
I thought most of the local LFS had a booth there, Aquapros, Wjotek, ShoTank, Seven Seas, Tank It Easy, Xzotic, Beyond the Reef. Reefwise was a notable MIA. Anyone else missing? I actually didn't look at the local booths that much since I can always go to their store for better selection. Instead I got to check out vendors from out of town. It was a good show and I actually enjoyed looking at the all amazing planted tanks. Makes me want to start one. I was surprised that there weren't a lot of major Marine / Saltwater equipment vendors there. Didn't see Red Sea, Innovative Marine, Ecotech, AI, Marine Depot, etc. Sad to hear it won't be coming back next year.
 
ninjamyst said:
I thought most of the local LFS had a booth there, Aquapros, Wjotek, ShoTank, Seven Seas, Tank It Easy, Xzotic, Beyond the Reef. Reefwise was a notable MIA. Anyone else missing? I actually didn't look at the local booths that much since I can always go to their store for better selection. Instead I got to check out vendors from out of town. It was a good show and I actually enjoyed looking at the all amazing planted tanks. Makes me want to start one. I was surprised that there weren't a lot of major Marine / Saltwater equipment vendors there. Didn't see Red Sea, Innovative Marine, Ecotech, AI, Marine Depot, etc. Sad to hear it won't be coming back next year.
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Planted tanks are legit man I got a 75g full planted tank and I love it deff much different then reef


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ninjamyst said:
I thought most of the local LFS had a booth there, Aquapros, Wjotek, ShoTank, Seven Seas, Tank It Easy, Xzotic, Beyond the Reef. Reefwise was a notable MIA. Anyone else missing? I actually didn't look at the local booths that much since I can always go to their store for better selection. Instead I got to check out vendors from out of town. It was a good show and I actually enjoyed looking at the all amazing planted tanks. Makes me want to start one. I was surprised that there weren't a lot of major Marine / Saltwater equipment vendors there. Didn't see Red Sea, Innovative Marine, Ecotech, AI, Marine Depot, etc. Sad to hear it won't be coming back next year.
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Planted tank
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Cubano32 said:
Do it lol I got plenty of plants now I trim on a weekly bases if you need some

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I promised no more tanks til we get a bigger house...lol

80 gallon Turtle tank, 20 gallon Frag tank, 29 gallon QT, 120 Reef tank....lol

She has a 3 gallon 3 clawed frog tank
 
GugsJr said:
I promised no more tanks til we get a bigger house...lol

80 gallon Turtle tank, 20 gallon Frag tank, 29 gallon QT, 120 Reef tank....lol

She has a 3 gallon 3 clawed frog tank
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Lol haha ? easier to ask for forgiveness then permission that's what I do with my wife lol

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