Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

[Aquatic Guru]

I went there yesterday and to be honest, I was very disapointed. I paid $23 to see the general fishes like fresh and saltwater. Also included was the dolphin show that's like any other ordinary dolphin show. Also included was the " Wild Reef "? I was very disapointed. There was only like 3 displays of real corals and the rest was fake corals! I only have a 40 gal breeder but I seriously think my tank looks alot better. Shedd makes so much money everyday. They probably make around $25000 to $40000 a day and they can't make their reef tanks any better? I know many LFS that a whole lot better display than they do. I just feel like I got ripped off. I would rather pay $23 to look everyone tank here in Reef Frontier. I just thought I say good job everyone here in Reef Frontier and two thumbs down for the Shedd.

 

[shallowreef]

Wow,

I was planning to go to the shedd and check it out. But after hearing that i think i might take a pass. That is wierd though that they do not expand their reef areas. I mean three tanks for a place like that is pretty sad. I also agree with you about fish stores that have better set ups than that.

Well i still may go just to say i saw it, but thats a let down. Oh Well.

 

[jetaero]

Most public aquariums I have been to have very few live corals. Especially when they are inland, away from seawater. Though there are exceptions, and even some aquariums on the ocean that don't have any or many live corals. It is a bit disappointing, but I could only imagine the cost of stocking those tanks that large. When you say they make 25k-40k per day, imagine the cost of electricity and wages they have to pay for running each day.

I know the new Georgia aquarium has placed half live corals and half fake corals in their new exhibit. They will be removing the fake ones as the real ones grow in.

 

[shallowreef]

Good Point. I forgot about how damn expensive reefs can be. Just to run something as simple as a 90. I couldn't imagine it on a 9K or even a 90K gallon tank.

I still would love to see some sharks though so i'm gonna go.

 

[Aquatic Guru]

Nick...if you never went, then I suggest you should go. It's near home and just a different experience. I'm not posting this to tell anyone not to go. It's just that I had higher expectations. I mean you can go in the Shedd for just $8 just to see the general aquariums like fresh and saltwater fishes and a couple of tank with weak corals. I swear I saw the biggest Aiptasia ever. Some kids were like " WOW " but hey they don't know any better. And $23 to see the general stuff including the infamous " WILD REEF " and the dolphin show. Nick don't get me wrong..there are alot of big fishes in there. Both Fresh and Salt. So you will let out some " WHOA " here and there. I enjoy looking the Komodo Dragon Lizard and the Sea Otter. Also you have to pay for parking like $17. Gees...Chicago is just making crazy money off of parking whereever you go. Nick let me know what you think of it, if you go. Have fun.

 

[redrooster]

That otter kicks a$$. Acutally all otters are really fun. That is my dream pet if I ever have enought room to do a setup for one. My father and grandfather bothed worked at the Shedd in the early 80's so I used to go all the time. It was really cool to be able to see the tanks from the back and to be able to feed some of the tanks. I would agree though that reef stuff is not their strong point. They must have gotten rid of some stuff though as 3 years ago when I was there they had a nice display of clams. They had one that had to be 18 + inches. It's kinda of hokey that the giant "reef" tank in the middle doesn't have any live corals. I saw them making a fake brain coral for that tank one day and they were literelly gluing painted cherios onto a plaster base. Kinda cheesey.

 

[keyman1848]

Its not that bad.......

I went there yesterday and to be honest, I was very disapointed. I paid $23 to see the general fishes like fresh and saltwater. Also included was the dolphin show that's like any other ordinary dolphin show. Also included was the " Wild Reef "? I was very disapointed. There was only like 3 displays of real corals and the rest was fake corals! I only have a 40 gal breeder but I seriously think my tank looks alot better. Shedd makes so much money everyday. They probably make around $25000 to $40000 a day and they can't make their reef tanks any better? I know many LFS that a whole lot better display than they do. I just feel like I got ripped off. I would rather pay $23 to look everyone tank here in Reef Frontier. I just thought I say good job everyone here in Reef Frontier and two thumbs down for the Shedd.

I think the Shedd is a nice place to visit. The wild reef is a little disappointing due to the fact any corals they have are in small tanks. You'll see the same thing at other public aquariums. I always like to visit public aquariums in different cities when I get the chance (I travel most weeks for work). Compared to other public aquariums the Shedd is by far one of the best.

 

[eliterecon14]

I think the Shedd is a nice place to visit. The wild reef is a little disappointing due to the fact any corals they have are in small tanks. You'll see the same thing at other public aquariums. I always like to visit public aquariums in different cities when I get the chance (I travel most weeks for work). Compared to other public aquariums the Shedd is by far one of the best.

Neighbors went earlier to the shedd and they were dissapointed becuase of the exhibits and cost for just a few things.