Chicago here

[martinwoodward1]

My name is Martin, I live in chicago and I am a new aquarium owner. I think I have a new addiction lol. I have a friend that was getting rid of some aquarium stuff so I bought a 30 gallon with stand and a sponge filter for $50 about 3 months ago. Tomorrow I will be getying a 55 with a 3 stage filter and heater from him. In the 30 I have 5 congo tetras, 4 cory cats 3 emerald and 1 green n gold, 2 oto cats and 3 platys. My plan is to move the congo's into the 55 and get some red line barbs to join them with some loaches. But not clown loaches cuz they get too big. I am building a 3d background for the 55 also. Any and all advice welcome

 

[Coryluv]

Welcome! Nice to have another Chicagoan here.

Since you have a friend whose into it, you probably know where all the good fish stores are.

 

[fish wrangler]

Welcome to the forum!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[martinwoodward1]

My friends was breeding and selling cichlids to generate a down payment on a boat. He got the boat this winter. I live in Garfield Park east. I go to the aquarium adventure stores in hoffman estates and bolingbroook. One of the guys at hoffman estates is great at giving me tips. They usually have a huge selection of fish and plants. There is a place in Oak park near Harlem and Madison I go there because it's close and the owner (Pete ?) Is great too. I have water quality issues so I get water at AA too.

 

[Coryluv]

I go to Aquarium Adventure, too. Most of my fish are from there. They have lots of freshwater selection for certain. I've been to that store in Oak Park, but don't frequent it. I really love Old Town Aquarium but don't get there often.