Sea Escapes Inc

Kathryn Weber

2024-02

This is such a cool "hidden gem" store. It is such a fun environment to walk through and look at all the cool fish. They have a pond that you can feed the fish. We will definitely be returning, especially in the spring when their outdoor section is open!

Les

2023-08

What a wonderful place!!!!!. Definitely a must see especially for the kids. The staff is beyond friendly and informative. Dominic went above and beyond to help us pick out the best aquatic life for our needs. Customer service is ALIVE AND WELL at Sea Escapes. We picked out 3 froggies and an algae eater pleco and they are so happy....with pics to prove how happy our new additions to the family are.... THANK YOU!!! Stop in and "SEA" for yourself..... 😂

Paul

2024-02

Bought a pair of goldfish for my new tank! Store employee was helpful and answered all my questions! Will be coming back.

Carm A

2023-05

My friend recommended them to me. To those complaining about the high prices, how do you think a small business makes it? DUH.Anyways they tested my water for me & turns out I had a bad testing kit. I was so stressed out over my Axolotl and looks like she's ok after all. I purchased a new testing kit from them. Also they helped me out with my chiller & air pump connections. They have so many pretty fish, the koi were amazing but I completely missed the feeding section, also my friend said they have turtles, but that area was closed off. I have a turtle so glad they can be a back up for turtle stuff because they carry some items that you don't see at other pet stores for turtles. Will be back.

joe parson

2024-04

First time in today from Rockford man the tanks are clean fish look happy and the staff were definitely friendly. Answered all my questions purchase two fish (gold severum Electric blue Acara) can’t wait to come back!!!

Audrey Palmer

2024-02

awesome fish store, you can tell the people working there really care. also, indoor fees able koi pond so you can't NOT go.

Debby S

2023-06

I went in a few weeks ago to set up a time for them to come out and service my tank. The guy said it would be 2 weeks before he would come out. It’s been over 3 weeks and still have not heard from them. I called a few times and left a message but still no reply. They should have just told me they don’t have time so I can find another company to maintain my tank. I brought in a water sample and he suggested I change out 25 percent of the tank water so we did. He said it’s better to use the filtered water they sell for the tank. So I purchased water from them and a week later one of our fish died. Another one of our fish died yesterday. I use to love this place but this was just a very bad experience.

Dan Mataragas

2023-10

Great store. Helped set up my reef. Employees very knowledgeable and don’t just sell but help consult on what to get. Always stocked with a great selection of fish and coral.

Michael Oleksiak

2018-05

Pretty good coral selection and I've spotted a few they aren't quite ready to sell yet. I'll definitely be back to check in on them. Staff is friendly. Sell RO water. Good selection of fish although prices seem slightly high.

Theresa Winters

2023-05

I've visited and shopped this store for many many years.Sometimes my grandson and I only come to enjoy the beauty, we've always been welcomed to browse.Sometimes I need advice and help with my aquarium, I've always received respectful, professional, expertise.Sea Escapes has kept my fish going during troubled times when other stores had no good advice.Sometimes I interact with the newer guys who are good.Sometimes I need more information from the older guys who are great.I highly recommend a visit to Sea Escapes

Anthony Nelson Sr

2024-04

The prices are fine. The customer service is unprofessional. I put in an order for a Ciclid Dovii. I called a week later to check if the fish had arrived for me to pick up. Lady blonde hair blue eyes"Did you receive a phone call?"Me "No"Lady "Then it's not here yet!"I purchased a Managuense Jaguar Cichlid from another small business down the street from this space.I mean there's other pet shops with way better customer service.Never went back!Jaguar doing good!!

Games 2 play

2024-04

Kinda suckedGot no help stood around for 5 min while guy was shooting the breeze. Felt ignored guess my money and times not worth anything.

Michael Severa

2023-08

Bob & Don run a great full service fish store. For 30 years they’ve been providing the area with high quality salt & fresh water fish and everything to go with. You can’t go wrong with a visit so stop by & see what you’ve been missing

Gloria Alford

2023-07

My experience at Sea Escapes was refreshing! The customer service I received by Nick Cahill was courteous and kind. I will come back. I purchased shrimp brine for my fish. They love this diet.

Jeff Montgomery

2023-05

I stop in from time to time for a few things here and there over the years. Bob and his staff do an excellent job. They are well educated and efficient with their time. Always a relaxed environment with a great selection from the saltwater aquatics, fresh water and of course your pond needs. I am glad to have had them in our community over the years and recommend stopping in just to look around with the kids. You won't be disappointed..... each aquarium is a work of art in itself and shows the wisdom and dedication to the craft.Thank you Bob, Josh and Daniel for what you do. 5 stars every time.

layla mendez

2023-05

I came into the store looking to purchase a new fish for my 10 gallon aquarium. I purchased 2 fish that were quite expensive and received no information on care for the fish or specific water levels, etc. After doing my own research I had to purchase a 30 gallon tank, the sales employee provided me with the wrong information. I have no problem providing for the animals that I choose to take on in my care. Though I find it irresponsible as a sales associate to sell someone a live animal despite knowing it there’s a chance it could have an unsustainable quality of life. When transferring my fish into my new tank after researching and purchasing different water purifiers, a larger heater, filter, thermometer, etc. I tested my aquarium waters ph level and allowed the fish to acclimate and be transported into their new aquarium. I monitored them closely the day they were transferred and they seemed to be doing great. When I woke up the next morning they had passed:( I called that morning to explain and ask questions about what went wrong and was rudely spoken to in an unprofessional manner on how there was a no return policy. My receipt from the store said returns were applicable for 3 days after purchase, and that was far from the main reason I was calling. I called to avoid making the same mistakes in the future and for further explanation on what could have went wrong. Not to argue with some jerk.. who couldn’t explain basic needs for a live animal they were selling in the first place.They sell the same type of freshwater fish I purchased at many large chain pet stores for a third of the price. Normally I am in supports of small business... After my experience with the staff at SeaEscapes, never will I make that mistake with them again!

Kevin Murphy

2024-04

Very nice setup and love the Koi pond!

GiiOo

2023-09

good customer service 😀 and the fish are well cared for and happy, postscript the place is very well ventilated due to the humidity and the number of aquariums, which are enough to appreciate and enjoy.

Shawn B

2023-05

Immaculate tanks. Healthy fish and a great selection of mature and well taken care of fish. The maturity and quality of their selection justifies the marginally higher prices. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The epitome of you get what you pay for.

Katie Blair

2023-05

I am blown away with this store and customer service. Especially Don! I went in yesterday as I am new to the hobby and had no clue how to start up and cycle a freshwater tank. I felt like I learned more here than any other store of youtube video. I even was able to see how to properly clean a tank during a water change. Thank you for everything! My entire family loves this store now.

John B (JB Aquatics)

2021-05

Gorgeous store, friendly staff, and a healthy selection of fish and invertebrates. Looking forward to visiting when the pond portion of the store is open!

Sandy Uecker

2015-05

I want to start off by saying that I have never met two more dedicated owners. I have dealt with both Bob and Don in regards to tank set up, problems and special orders. They both have gone out of their way to make sure I am a satisfied customer and I love the fact that they never push sales. In fact, more than once they have recommended I hold off on a new fish purchase due to the quality of my water and safety of the fish. It's an absolute pleasure to deal directly with business owners who make well thought out decisions and have the knowledge and experience that is sorely lacking these days in big establishments. I would recommend Sea Escapes to anyone who wants superior quality, years of knowledge and excellent customer service.

Karen Wineland

2023-05

Hands down the BEST Fish store around!!!! We do not go anywhere but Sea Escapes INC for our fresh and salt water needs. Bob & Don are fantastic along with the rest of the team!!!!!

kari

2019-05

These guys are the experts and you can count on that!We buy all our fish here. The crew is knowledgeable, and easy to ask questions. They make my water changes super easy with low priced filtered fresh and salt water ready to go so I don’t use the nasty tap water that can hurt my fish.I have read some other reviews from people complaining about high prices, and all I have to say to that is, your in the wrong hobby or you must not care about quality. We almost never see any dead fish, or even dirt in their tanks. Just remember you get what you pay for.

Brian Dunat

2015-05

One of the cleanest, most friendly stores around! Over the past few years, Sea Escapes has invested in expanding their saltwater selection which shows in the amount of fish and corals they stock on a weekly basis. If you are looking for something, ask Don and he will find it for you. Great selection of dry goods and knowledge, friendly staff. It's a one stop shop for sure and you won't be disappointed! Make sure to check out the large lagoon tank in the middle of the store!

M J

2017-05

I love this place! Great selection of fish for both fresh and salt. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I'm not sure the gentleman's name that i dealt with but very nice. I was curious about starting a salt water tank...he happily took the time to explain what it takes to get one started. There were customers behind me and never did he rush me out. We spoke easily for a good 5-10 minutes. This is by far the best fish and aquatic needs store in the area. Btw....South Elgin's tap water is known for high pH levels, at least my area....this place sells fresh water which is SO nice. I won't name stores but it was a well know chain and i used to spend a lot just for 2 gallons of fresh water. What it would cost me to fill my 20G tank once with the chain store, i can get my tank filled no joke 10+ times with Sea Escapes. As long as my fish are doing well, I'm a customer for good!

John Tyson

2023-05

Even if you don't plan to buy any fish it would be a great place to take the kids. If you are planning on starting a fish tank this would be the place to start. They have been in business since 2002 and the knowledge of caring for fish is even older than that.

Teri Traum

2019-05

This is a great aquarium store, the best in the area. I've been coming here for food and supplies for years and lately for lots of bottled water. But beyond a beautiful store, beautiful live stock and an excellent assortment of foods, aquarium supplies and fish medications, it is so refreshing to encounter that "owner" touch and interest in your needs when you are in the store. Recently when coming to get large water bottles filled (because I have well water at my home), Don suggested I should consider having a Reverse Osmosis storage tank added to my current RO system thus eliminating, or reducing, my need to haul so much water around. I told him it sounded like a good idea, but where could I find someone to do that? He said he could do it. And he did!! Very reasonable cost, and a clean and working installation... and now I have my own large supply of water for my tanks right in my home. I really appreciated that Don saw an opportunity to offer me an even better service that addressed my unique need and followed through with the installation. It might have been more lucrative for Sea Escapes to just have me coming in every other week for water! But he made me feel like it was more important to him to have me be a very satisfied customer rather than just a customer satisfying them. Don's a really good guy, working hard to please his customers. And the other guys in the store have always provided me with great, knowledgeable and attentive service. Sea Escapes has my business, that's for sure! And by the way, I drive 30 miles, round trip, to their Store because they are the best in the western suburbs (the only area I'm familiar with).

sean buckley

2022-05

Been going there since the beginning of my time in the hobby 8 years ago. All the staff has been helpful and personally Don has went out of his way on many occasions to go above and beyond as well as the one who walked me through my start up and knew when to refuse my impulse buys for the sake of the animals and loss of money on my end!! Although I’ve moved out of the area I still make it a point to swing by to see how the shop is doing and say hi!!

Bud Harrison

2015-05

I use Sea Escapes for all my salt water aquarium needs and absolutely love it there. The staff is all incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. They have helped me diagnose a couple issues I had, get specific fish and I have even found myself going in there when I didn't need anything because they have such a great storefront. They also have the best selection of fish/aquarium life I've come across in Northern Illinois. I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who has an aquarium or is considering setting one up.