Sho Tank-Mundelein

Herbie

Herbie

Banned
Didn't see this one on here. Matt has some amazing stuff and can't beat the location if you're north. I haven't seen better prices anywhere.

ShoTank Aquariums is located at:

433 N. Lake Street
Mundelein, IL 60060
(On Route 45, south of route 176 and just north of Hawley)
Phone: 847/949-8265
Fax: 847/949-8269
info@shotankaquariums.com
www.shotankaquariums.com

Store Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 PM to 8 PM
Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM

Careful if you google map to it. It tries to take you to a cul de sac about a block west.
 
Yes. That one is amazing. The first time I went in there (about 5 weeks ago) the place was sort of a mess, but I gave it another chance and I think he changed all of the lights or something in the whole place. It really looks great.
 
Did the place still reek of cigarette smoke? It did a few years ago before the smoking ban went into effect.
 
I have purchased a few things from Matt (Owner) at ShoTank. I agree....he is not really the warmest, most welcoming person...He comes off as a real introvert... quiet... a person of very few words. For Noobs I think there are some other folks who could be more helpful for sure.

I was going to have him build me a tank. He does some beautiful work. His stands and systems are top notch. I watched over a period of a couple of weeks, him build out a beautiful 180RR with custom stand, sump, canopy, all of the plumbing and equipment. It was thoughtful, precise, expert.... The price was just way too much for me to really do. What I ended spec'ing out with him was well over $4k... and that still required a lot of stuff that I would have still needed to do. So, I decided to go another route.

His show tanks and livestock tanks always look clean. His fish always look well fed and well acclimated. He changed over some of his tanks in back. They now look 100times better and he has had some real nice livestock. I have seen some nice variety as well. He is working on a bigger selection of corals.

All in all.... ShoTank is a great store for folks up north.
 
I was there last night and he seems to have a pretty nice selection of inverts. Frags are ten and he has surprisingly large colonies are 30. I am definitely no expert though.
 
I would like to revise my original impression of this place. I think the prop is more of the quite artist type than the bothered-by-n00b-questions type. I had a very nice conversation with him about the progress of my tank and some juvenile clowns he has (just need to ask questions and know his answers will be direct). I picked up a small frogspawn for $10 and a frag with about 14 zoas on it for $5. Hard to beat that (I think).
 
I finely have my tank up and running and would not have not been able to do it without all the info Mat at shotank gave me and its doing great, its a 40 gal. breader with a 20 gal. sump, I'v visited most of the fish stores in northern IL. and Miliwakee asked a lot of questions and got the best advise from shotank most of the time I stop in to just ask questions and he gives straight answers if you listen to the advise he gives your tank will do great to. He also seems to always have nice stock for a good price, seems to keep me comming back.
 
I remember also getting a quote for my 320g tank and it was out of this world,so i got my friends to do my stand and canopy for under $650.That would have barely covered the cost to build a canopy from matt.
 
I haven't noticed the smoke and I am a former smoker, so I probably would have, but I also wouldn't really care (Unless it was overpowering or something). I don't think it would hurt the fish :)
 
I am considered a Noob and the first time I went in there Matt sat behind the desk playing on the computer. After about 20 minutes he came back by the tanks and I started talking to him. His MO seems to be that he is not going to try to sell something like a used car lot. After a while he warms up a bit and is very helpful.

I think its worth the visit and if you are not a noob then you may not need to have a long conversation anyway. It does seem to be a 1 man operation so when its a little busy you will wait a while.
 
harley20 said:
I am considered a Noob and the first time I went in there Matt sat behind the desk playing on the computer. After about 20 minutes he came back by the tanks and I started talking to him. His MO seems to be that he is not going to try to sell something like a used car lot. After a while he warms up a bit and is very helpful.

I think its worth the visit and if you are not a noob then you may not need to have a long conversation anyway. It does seem to be a 1 man operation so when its a little busy you will wait a while.
Click to expand...

He is definitely a nice guy and very knowledgeable. First time I felt like I was being ignored but I've learned since that that is the way he is.
 
Matt is the most knowledgeable man that I have ever met in this business.
He will not shower you with his knowledge but if you need help he's the man. To me it is an exciting store to visit as his livestock is ever changing and the corals are the best around at very fair prices. He sells you equiptment and setups that work, no oversell as his philosopy is keep it simple stupid (kiss). Simply not a better store in the chicagoland area.
 
great store, i agree with everyone else. Matt is not the warmest of persons to the newbie but im one of the customers who actually prefers not to be bothered unless i need something. Once you talk to him you realize that he is not being rude, just a very direct person who does not sugar coat things.
 
I have been going there for years. Good prices and good stock. Matt will offer good advice when asked a direct question.
 
My buddy Craig went up there sunday and hooked me up with some sps mini colonies, again awesome prices and corals!
 
Matt is the most knowledgeable aquarist that I have ever met in this hobby. His talents range from carpentry in building stands that are unequaled, to plumber in putting together fabulous systems to house his incredible selection of corals and fish. If you listen to matt you will have great success in this hobby. However if you need your hand held, get a girlfriend.
 
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