Interesting place. They have a waiting list half way in the store. You add your name and ask. The appropriate employee finds you and then helps you. Was helped immediately. Asked 20 plus questions about pond maintenance. The one question my helper didn't know, he found out from the owner. Bought 4 floating plants, ten snails and some floating clover. My pond has been doing well since. I will return for any pond plant needs. They were well stocked for all types of aquarium, pond, and swimming hole needs read more

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I've had a fantastic experience with Aquarium. They offer an impressive selection of plants at great prices, and the quality has always been top-notch. They also have a wide variety of healthy fish. Every plant I've gotten has been exceptional, and my friend has had the same great experience. Definitely recommend them for both plants and fish! I will say, their name is a bit funny lol. read more

We have been loyal customers for almost 15 years until yesterday. I came in about a year ago with an angel fish that we wanted to hand over for store credit (it's mate had died and we wanted it to be with other angel fish rather than be alone) and received $15 store credit for it. Last week sometime we stopped for some supplies and asked if we could bring in another angel fish and they said we could do the same thing. So yesterday, we brought the fish in a bag and I handed it to a woman and she put it in a tank to float. Later, I saw the guy I had talked to last week who said I could bring the fish in and told him I'd brought the fish and waited for him to bring the papers to fill out to get my store credit. Apparently, they said I had "surrendered the fish" and kept arguing that I had handed the fish over to them, no store credit. Later, another older man came by and said that I'd needed to bring a picture of the fish before confirming they'd give me store credit for it, so therefore it was a surrendered fish. The rest of the time we were there, nearly everyone avoided us and didn't want to talk to us, and we left without our angelfish. What a way to lose business. read more

My husband and I came here to start up a fresh water tank. We had been in a few times before just to look around and loved the variety of fish they have and how well kept all their tanks were. The staff are all very knowledgeable and kind, and were able to answer all the questions we had. We ended up purchasing a 10 gallon set up and a few fish from them. It was a great deal! We will continue to come back and work with them on our setup. read more

Aquarium - 10 gallon freshwater set up - Aquarium Services Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

This is a good store with a decent selection of fish, and excellent selection of dry goods. They carry both fresh and saltwater livestock. Their fish are not the cheapest in the area, but generally are nice looking and healthy specimens. Corals, on the other hand are a different story. VERY limited selection and grossly overpriced. They do have an incredible selection of freshwater fish and plants, with much better prices. They have, by far, the best selection of "nano" fish in the area if you're looking to stock a small tank- lots of species that you won't find elsewhere. Most of the staff is fairly knowledgeable about things, and as a plus they are not at all pushy almost to the point that you feel ignored. They rarely approach you and ask if you need help- there is a dry erase board on the wall that you put your name on to get assistance. It makes a lot on sense on weekends when there are dozens of customers waiting, but seems awkward and odd when you're the only one there! read more

I have been keeping fish (both saltwater and freshwater) for several years, and recently came here with my dad to help him set up his first freshwater tank. I was thrilled to find this place and was very impressed with the quality of their fish, plants and equipment. First of all, this place is a little hard to find - so trust your GPS! It is nestled behind a stand of trees, behind a Holiday Inn, which is behind a Hampton Inn so it's absolutely impossible to see from the road. Good thing there are some signs to point you the right way...but even those are hard to see! However once you get a bit closer to the building it becomes apparent where to go. They have plenty of parking. The store itself is very clean and well-stocked in the front with equipment, aquascaping supplies, and a number of very nice professionally aquascaped displays. Heading further back, you walk into their fish room which is itself large, beautiful and well-maintained. Unfortunately in this hobby, some fish stores are full of dying fish, sick-looking tanks and plenty of algae. However, this store was the opposite - the tanks were well-maintained, the fish were active and the entire area was a joy to be in. They have an excellent selection of both fresh and saltwater fish, and have a number of less common species. In particular I was surprised to see a sailfin leopard wrasse as well as a good-sized panther grouper. I'd also like to call out their employees who seemed very knowledgeable and friendly. Unfortunately, as is common in this hobby, the prices here are on the high side. As nice as the equipment they sell here is, I probably would not purchase it here as it is just marked up too much. The fish, however, are much more fairly priced, especially the freshwater fish. You can still expect to open up your wallet for saltwater fish and *especially* for corals. Still, given the excellent health and high quality of their livestock I do think that it is worth it. Their freshwater plants can also be on the expensive side, BUT they are quite huge and healthy, so I do think that it is worth it as long as you have a big tank for the plants to go into. Overall, I highly recommend this store and will be coming back in the future. read more

My favorite Aquarium store around. They quarantine their fish before selling them so they are healthy and eating when you get them home. Staff members are knowledgeable and friendly and familiar. They often time have things priced better than the big box store on supplies. read more

Aquarium - My aquarium. Most everything came from "Aquarium Papermill" - Aquarium Services Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Good supply of everything. Staff not helpful. The new employees aren't willing to help with anything. It's sad. this place has been around awhile. I will find another aquarium and pond store. Too lazy to help or try. read more

Terrible service. The clerk laughed at us when we didn't bring a water sample and would not return our fish. The fish we got there were sick from the store and died hours after purchase. Will never return. read more

Today was my third visit to Aquarium and I was prepared to be ignored and to be spoken to condescendingly, as that had been my experience the two previous times. After spending 10 minutes in the pond fish room with no assistance (the two employees who briskly walked past me were obviously on a bigger mission than speaking to or helping a customer), I was determined that this was the day that I was at least going to get through the labyrinth of bad customer service and make a purchase from Aquarium. Alas, it was not to be. I decided on a some comets, even though that is really not what I wanted or needed. I was trying to get the attention of two different employees (different employees than the two who had ignored me earlier) when another customer asked if I was in line to check out. When I explained that I was needing help with the pond fish, the older woman at the front (who had not offered to help me even though she saw me standing there. Is she the owner or manager?) said that there were only two people working and she didn't know when somebody could help me and she certainly didn't offer to help. I guess the idea that she could have helped me with my purchase escaped her but here is where the light bulb went off for me: They Don't Care! They don't care if you buy from them or not! They are totally apathetic to providing a good customer service experience. So, I am going to continue to not shop at Aquarium and they are going to continue to not care less whether I do or don't. I can buy my fish at another place that appreciates me and they can continue to ignore and demean the public darkens their door. Isn't it nice when things work out for everyone? read more

Good advice and the fish live. You do pay more, but I'd rather support a local business. read more

Definitely the best. There fish are very well taken care. There costumer services are amazing. I love going there.

Best aquarium store in Knoxville hands down. Honest, knowledgeable employees. Tons of selection for fresh and salt. Very healthy livestock. Fair prices. Huge store. First section is just supplies. They have everything from tanks to CO2 systems to replacement Fluval parts. Have an entire outdoor section for pond plants and koi. Huge fish sales room. Tons of aquatic plants for very fair prices. Coral selection is awesome. If you're in the aquarium hobby, this is the store for you. Only competition is 45 minutes away in Jeff city at the Coral reef. The Aquarium employees' honesty and helpfulness along with the healthy livestock... honestly embarrass the other aquarium store in Knoxville (aquatic marine)!!!!! I'll never buy live stock in knox from anywhere but the Aquarium. read more

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great selection, very helpful staff, clean fish, good member discounts, well put together.

First Off, I was in here just looking since we are in the process of getting an aquarium. I was with my six year old, So the first thing I notice upon walking in NO ONE greeted us and the employees were by the door ; so it's not like u didn't see me. Then couples minutes later this elderly lady asked us if we needed help. so we looking at the fishes and they have a wonderful selection!!! So I saw this guy cleaning out the fish tank and I asked him, " Which one is the most complicated? Freshwater or Saltwater and he said saltwater so I'm like (please smile like u look unpleasant, I said this to myself ) whatever ok. ( he didn't appear friendly) Then my six year old had a question with his happy self , Do u guys have sharks? With a big smile and the guy said " We don't have sharks, we don't have enough water for sharks that would just be freaking ridiculous". And it took me a minute for me to return to my sane body and really think about how he answered that question to a 6 year old and on top of that u said it nasty, with an attitude and most importantly u saw us walking in this circle , we passed by this guy 3 times and u didn't ask if we need help, not once. My son is curious , as a parent I know they didn't have sharks, but my son likes to verify after I give him the correct answer. I'm use to it. My son is a happy kid and if u speaking to my my son than u better put a smile on his face. Because my son can do all the picking , But I have the money. The only reason this dusty A** place is getting 2 stars is because the elderly lady asked us if we need help and she don't even work in the back and the other star is for the unique fishes we saw. The fish had more customer service that this hole, I will take my money somewhere else. This guy better be glad my son was with me , Because if it was I and my husband it would have been very different. Beep, Beep !!! read more

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I've been dealing with these guys for close to 30 years. Great service and their livestock is 2nd to none! Staff goes way beyond adequate to meet the customers needs. read more

This store is well stocked with supplies. Better than any other store in Knoxville. It also has a very large varied selection of fish. However to say they are overpriced is an understatement. Prices are so high I have quit even going read more

I've been coming to this store for over 20 years. I'm thankful there's other options in town and I'll drive out of my way to get there. I've been trying to purchase some shrimp, snails, and plants here for the past 3 weeks. I've stood waiting more than 30 minutes every week. Even with my name on the board. The people working the fish room are way under staffed and it's made them very grouchy. The people running thee register are rude. You can buy healthier, snail free plants online! Shrimp are cheaper online and come very well packed with heat pads. I'll be heading over to Clinton Hwy for now on. read more

I've been keeping fish for more than two decades, and you won't find a finer store of its kind anywhere. The selection of fish and products is enormous. I've done business here for as long as I've been keeping fish. I can't count the number of fish stores I've visited in my lifetime but I can say Aquarium ranks at the very top. Thus, I can't recommend the store highly enough! read more

Ignorance masquerading as expertise! Every retail business has its good and bad employees. It is unfortunate that on Father's Day, 2015, I encountered an Aquarium employee named Tom. Tom's advice was un-asked-for and completely wrong. Tom asked questions that were totally inappropriate. Tom shoved my wife of 30 years into a set of shelves in an effort to "hulk up" on me for asking if he was the owner. Tom watched as I put away the items that i had in hand to purchase, and smugly watched as my wife and exited the store. First a little about me... Those who know me, say I'm a fish farmer. That's an easy way for my friends to sum it up without embarrassing me. More accurately, I am the owner of the largest tilapia hatchery franchise in America. I am a founding members of the American Aquatic Growers Association. I am a published author with over 200 thousand words written about aquaculture. I am an expert in fish farming, aquaponics, pond management, the physiology of aqua cultured species, and the economics of aquaculture. On Sunday, June 21st, Fathers Day, my wife and I thought it would be fun to see what was new at the Aquarium. Over the years we have spent thousands of dollars, and this day would be no different. My wife went to pick out a few fish for our saltwater aquariums, and I started with the bulkhead fittings as usual and then made my way around the store. It should be noted that I also send my employees to buy things, as well as refer my tilapia farming customers in the Knoxville area to the Aquarium for supplies. So while I'm familiar with their offerings, I'm not acquainted with their locations in the store. In my Knoxville area hatchery, I use a very expensive dosing system to keep the pH perfect for egg hatching. The system can accommodate gallon jugs of increaser and decreaser. I asked their employee Tom for assistance in locating these products. He started talking about reef tanks as he showed me some small bottles of pH up and down; I told him that I needed much more. I asked him if they still sold the Mag Float brand, and he said that he didn't know. I told him that I needed pond sized jugs to which he told instead pointed to mineral rocks. I told him that I own a tilapia hatchery and needed the liquids. Tom took me and my wife, who had re-joined me, to some slightly larger bottles of pH decreaser. I asked him if that was all that was available, to which Tom made statements that went far beyond his pay grade. Tom asked me if I could financially afford to lower the pH of my water! I took his asinine question in stride, and said that I really didn't have a choice. I added that lowering the pH in a hatchery was necessary in order to keep ammonia in its non-toxic form. Tom said, with great authority, that pH plays no role in the toxicity of ammonia. I couldn't believe that i was hearing, so I said "so you're telling me that as pH rises, ionized NH4+ is not converted into more toxic un-ionized NH3?". Tom repeated that pH has nothing to do with ammonia. At this point I realized that Tom knew nothing about the basic chemistry of the aquatic environment, and I was done discussing it with him. My wife and I started heading towards the back to pick out her fish. Then Tom said something that crossed the line completely. Tom told me in a very condescending tone to learn more about ammonia and pH on the Internet! His tone was so insulting that my wife was prompted to chime in by saying, "he's written books on the subject". I asked Tom if he was the owner, knowing that he wasn't, but hoping to remind him that he represents the owner. He said that he is not, so I asked his name. He said Tom, and pushed past my wife of 30 years, to present his hand in a challenging way, disguised as a handshake. It was a disingenuous smart-ass move at best. I told Tom that I would be contacting the owner about his demeanor, to which he replied "you do that". My wife whispered for us to leave. Buying nothing. Now, you may think that I am holding the entire store accountable for the actions of one person, and perhaps I am. However, I phoned the store after leaving to speak to the person in charge, and they couldn't have cared any less. I asked to leave a message for the general manager, Leah. Hopefully she cares more than the rest. At this time, I do not recommend that you shop here until people like Tom are no longer employed. I also warn you against trusting in their "expertise". They are good at talking like experts, but if you follow their advice, you will most likely be disappointed. read more

Leah, Devin and Carol are the best to deal with. We have been a customer with them for over a year and they have helped us through two salt water set ups, countless fish and coral questions and then converting one of the tanks to fresh water They always can answer a question and give advise read more

Since I recently set up a new aquarium, I've been a frequent customer of Aquarium in Knoxville. Their fish selection is excellent and their aquariums are beautiful. It's fun just to go there and look. And the employees have been really helpful, even if I sometimes ask a few too many questions. I didn't give five stars because their prices are a bit high, but everything else about the place is great! Two additional thoughts: Don't go there on Monday because they are closed (I figured this out the hard way). And finding it for the first time can be tricky. Drive slow and look for the sign. read more

This is a great place to buy anything you need for your aquarium or pond. I really dont know what the other reviews are talking about. The staff here is awesome, friendly, I never had a problem once read more

Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

I have been going to Aquarium for decades, since they were down on Homburg Place. A few days ago I went by and bought a few fish. It was during the week in the afternoon. I walked backed to the fish room to look around. There were 3 people working. I walked around the tanks 3 times and not one person spoke or asked if they could help me out. I might as well been invisible. After asking for help and getting my fish bagged I went up front to look around. The employee put my fish on the front counter until I was ready to go. When I went to the front counter there were 2 employees puttering around. They both saw me but made effort to check me out. I stood waiting thinking they will get to me. At that point one of the employees left and the other just kept on puttering. I finally asked if they could check me out. They acted like I was intruding the whole time was checked out. Aquarium is the best fish store in Knoxville. To see what their customer service has become is sad. Good customer service costs a business nothing. Bad customer service costs them customers. I won't be back. read more

The amount of knowledge the associate had was amazing. I am keeping a fish i haven't kept before. This stire has everything you need as long as its in stock lol. Definitely go here if you're starting a new fishtank just want to look or getting fish they have salt and fresh water. read more

I have shopped here on several occasions. On several occasions associates were either rude or just ignored me. But today just tipped the scale. I understand there's a pandemic going on but there are also things in place to not be discriminated against due to actual medical exemptions. My husband and I were in there today and a rude associate who was talking care of a customer actually ran across the store to not only make a scene at my husband not wearing a mask but also tell him his medical exemption "didn't matter" and he needed to leave. Per the Governor of TN there is an exemption on the mask policy for people who have a medical exemption. And he cannot be forced to wear a mask to go out when we're shopping when he cannot medically wear one. I will not spend another cent at this store. I will not step foot back into this store. I refuse to be talked to like I was today. and I refuse to allow my husband to be discriminated against due to a medical condition. read more

This store is great. I could spend hours looking at the tanks. The employees are always friendly and helpful. They are knowledgeable about the fish and tank setup. All the fish we have gotten from the aquarium have been healthy and done well. read more

Aquarium has always been my go-to place for years. The staff are very knowledgeable. There product and livestock are high quality. That being said, this will be the last time I ever buy anything from there. I was treated incompetent even though I've been doing this for years. I buy fish from there and always explain my parameters and the aquarium they will be going in and they give me recommendations on what to put in there. After being told the fish I was purchasing would go in my tank they ate all my neons and come to find out need twice the space that I have. When I called them to get a credit issue to me I was not informed that the fish would have to be quarantine before I would be given any credit and that they charge for that quarantine. Also they would only give me 50% credit on what I purchased the fish for and after treatment and quarantine I basically made an hour and a half drive for nothing. You better do your own research on any fish you buy from there before ever purchasing it and you can expect them to be arrogant. I will never go in that store again. There are too many other places to shop and the aquatic store on Clinton highway treats me 10 times better. read more

Staff are very friendly, and they always impress me with their knowledge of the hobby. The fish selection is excellent. The coral selection is probably just okay, but they have customer appreciation days with great deals! I frequent this place almost every time I'm in Knoxville. read more

Based on only one visit... Excellent selection of supplies, equipment, and animals. The fish room staff, or the two I dealt with anyway, is not especially knowledgeable. I was sold shrimp that weren't what I asked for. 2 different people said the were Amanos. When I looked carefully at home, they are clearly cherry shrimp. My bad for not checking them closely and watching the bagging process. I live too far away to worry about trying to make it right. They also couldn't answer some basic questions but did radio others for answers. Further, they sent home some duckweed with my plants. Many people, myself included, do not appreciate that but it is not too big a deal. Just know you may have to deal with it. They have a large selection of outdoor plants and that may account for the abundance of duckweed and snails. I will carefully check my plants for snails. They did get me an aquarium in a size and type I have been trying to find for months and I'm very happy about that. So, generally I think it is a very good store and it would be five stars if they paid more attention to details and staff were a bit more knowledgeable. My sense is they do a big volume and keep things moving through. I don't like having to carefully watch employees select and bag my order. If you are interested in all things aquatics, go there but pay attention. I'll go back again when I get over that way. read more

this place is ALL flash,no quality and theyd rather argue over a couple of dollars than stand behind their shit so they lost this customer over 1 shrimp and i filed a complaint and politely and patiently waited before posting this so apparently either the manager i complained to took my complaint out of the box OR 7 dollars is more important than losing a customer.so if theyd do this to me for 7$ then God help a man spends more with these people...heres my story...they have signs up EVERY where about how they stand behind every fish sold so when the attendant assured me that shrimp are really easy to keep(and NEVER bothered to mention they aren't guaranteed BEFOREHAND either or id never bought it)then i jumped at that to help my algea problems.next day,found him in the floor dead,hopped out...so i drive all the way back up there from loudon county only to have them say that shrimp aren't guaranteed,only fish.rofl,are you kidding me ? personally i think thats splitting hairs and they showed me in fine print on the receipt it says theyre not guaranteed which is a little tricky considering you dont get a receipt till AFTER you purchase the item !!! too late now !!! the time to discuss guarantees is before you but and i only bought because i was led to believe it was guaranteed read more

The service here is horrible. Was the only customer in the store. Four kids that apparently work there were behind the counter talking, vacuuming, and generally not waiting on customers. I told one of them I needed help picking out a pump. Was told I would have to wait for someone that could help. After 10 minutes waiting, no one wanted to help. I asked again for someone, and was told, "it shouldn't be much longer." Five minutes later, I left. Ridiculous. Don't know what they pay those kids to do, but one would think they could be taught something about the store's products. read more

We are long time customers of the Aquarium in obtaining supplies and products for our koi pond. when we were first getting started we usually sought out an employee named Mandy. She was very knowledgeable as well as courteous and patient with all my questions. All the employees back then were decent, then over the last year or so I noticed Mandy was not around and at the same time I began to notice a change in attitudes and level of customer service. I had to hunt people down to help me get plants, and when no one was forthcoming I did it my self and got SCOLDED for it. Then I was treated rudely when I put my selections on the counter and an employee intimated that I was trying to cut in, which I wasn't, then I was again scolded for getting the counter wet. Since then I rarely go in there, usually to buy something that I need right away instead of ordering it on line. I'm not sure what happened when Mandy left, but it's not the same pleasurable experience it once was. read more

30 years and they seem to always be striving to help customers first. Prices are great and the best in town as well.

Lots of fish to choose from, bought fish and supplies there several times always found it a tad pricey but they definitely know their stuff everyone's very knowledgable. I won't go anywhere else for questions on fish or fish supplies but I recently had a couple fish die from there that I bought so I think I'm going to go to the other fish store around the corner with "reef' in the title because they are so much cheaper and when I say cheaper I mean I bought a six line wrasse at aquaruim for $37 and it died in a week so I went to the "reef" store and bought another six line wrasse for $15 and its been alive for months with no complications. read more