5 comments about The Marine Reef Aquarium.

1. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone thinking about setting up their first marine tank. Well written and laid out, this book goes over the basics to starting a reef tank and even includes some info about more advanced things. My personal fave is the fact they included a chapter on pests and how to get rid of them... including mantis shrimp, which I have yet to see in a book like this.
   
   Its hardcover and full of pages of colorful pictures and diagrams, and is a pleasure to read from cover to cover.
   
   Please check out my other reviews for beginning marine aquariums at: [...]



2. Mr. Hunt's book is a great reference and an enjoyable read. Book is full of accurate helpful information, fantastic photography, and species identification. It is well suited to "reefers" starting out for the first time; and also contains sufficient information to keep the interest of those experienced in the hobby.



3. I think this book is a great guide to starting/maintaining a marine reef aquarium. The information and pictures are new and up to date. I couldn't have asked for more.



4. I have looked through several books at the bookstore before buying this one. It is easy to read and as the author states a practical guide for keeping a reef aquarium. I would say this is more for beginners not those of you with experience. For my interests, he has discussed every issue about starting and keeping an aquarium. Even went over almost all the fish I was interested in. Beautiful pictures too.
   Anyway, well worth it for me.



5. Worth the purchase price -- but by no means the only book on the subject you need in your library. If you're new to the hobby -- this book is current and provides an excellent reference. If you have some experience, this book won't add much to your knowledge base.

5 comments about Your First Marine Aquarium (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book is NOT a complete pet owner's manual. It's content is limited and was not that much help.



2. This book features plenty of details on which marine fish and invertebrates can coexist. This book also has material on successful marine aquarium management. If you are considering to begin keeping a saltwater aquarium, this book is a nice guide.



3. Wonderful book as an "introduction" to the world of starting and maintaining a salt water aquarium. It is excellent in giving anyone who is think of starting a tank the basics of set-up and more importantly, what to expect as the tank matures. My 75 gallon tank is now 4 months old and has done great right from the start in large part due to the knowledge I gained from this book.



4. Strengths: Good beginners' guide, including a 30 gallon tank setup, start-to-finish. Reasonable "fish compatibility" guide.
   Weaknesses: Brief; the description of fishes/invertebrates for stocking your tank is pretty short. The salinity calculation is more complex than it needs to be, and lighting advice is dated.

   John Tullock advocates a setup with lots of live rock, and with a protein skimmer. This is the preferred saltwater setup nowadays, as it sets up a mini-environment for your fish. He closes the book with a walk-through of a 30 gallon "mini-reef" setup, including curing live rock yourself (if you don't live where a local fish store stocks pre-cured live rock), which also includes fish recommendations.




5. Once I started reading this book I couldn't stop until I was done. I have fairly good experience keeping a fresh water tank but I never had a marine one, or for that matter I never read anything about it. This was my first book on the subject and I found it to have
   all necessary information to get me familiar with what is required to start a marine tank and how involved is the process of maintaining it. The step-by-step guide on who to setup a mini-reef tank is also very helpful. I also liked the explanation of different filtration systems (Berlin, Smithsonian, Monaco).
   The book has more text than photos so it might appear a little bit overwhelming. But that is good because the text gives good information and is well written. Not that this book doesn't have any pictures, it does have good ones, but there are some pages that are just text.
   All in all I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about starting a marine aquarium. This book will tell you if that is something you can commit to or not. And if you choose to do it, this book would definitely be valuable as a reference.

5 comments about Manual of Fish Health: Everything You Need to Know About Aquarium Fish, Their Environment and Disease Prevention.

1. If you want going deep in your hobby and learn to right take care of your fish, dont loose this book.



2. Fancy Goldfish by Dr. Johnson and Hess is still the bible of goldfish care, but this book is a good addition.



3. This is a huge information database on fish health and diseases in my opinion that greatly signifies the authors authority in that field. I have nothing but gratitude for this book as I have already cured my fish once with its help. The only negative is that I bought this book once on amazon and the order was canceled because of damage to the book. I got it as a birthday present later though.



4. I like that this book is more focused at experienced aquarist who want to further their understanding rather than people who are completely new to the hobby. I also like that it is a heavy read relative to other aquarium books, In some places I felt like I was reading a microbiology textbook. Its all around aquarium health info but it has a big section on fish health. It has a lot of detailed pictures for identifying fish sicknesses, and is actually kind of gross, but I have never seen a book with so much info on the topic and I think that is its strongest point. The weakest point is there isn't much on plants which to me is just as important as the fish, I guess that's a different book.



5. The book is pretty good for most aquarists as all should have something to help with the diagnostics and treatment of their pets. There's some pretty good photography of various diseases that simplifies the text, and in each section there is a little box of explanation of a point in the text, be it a bacteria type or similar. Where the book falls slightly short in my opinion is in the treatment section. I would not advocate the use of all the chemicals in this chapter and some may well be impossible to obtain for most people. In this case, I would recommend using the book then visiting a professional fish keeper, specialist shop or vet with your diagnosis after consulting the treatment section to see if there is an alternative.
   
   All said and done anything that can help easy diagnosis and lead to the correct treatment of fish disease is a good thing.

5 comments about The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes.

1. This is a great book for getting into breeding marine ornamentals. Very informative and offers lots of tips and instructions on how to get started. I looked all over for a book to get some more information about it and I finally found this. A great all around book on the subject.



2. Marine husbandry was once considered impossible but the last 40 years has proven this wrong. I found it difficult to get good information on this subject and I'm very glad I bought this book. Even if you don't plan to breed fish, it is amazing to read about (and see in the beautiful pictures) the breeding habits of some fish. For example, if you had 100+ babies, how long would you keep them in your mouth for? A great buy.



3. In the better part of twenty years since Martin Moe Jr.'s benchmark references, there has scarcely been a book so useful and inspiring as this work. I suppose I could gush on about it's merits, but let me just say that in my personal collection of several hundred aquatic hobby/science references this book is soundly among my top 5 favorites. It is literally within reach and actively reread in my fishroom. You will be hard pressed to find a more dense and specific resource!



4. This is such a fascinating subject; and the author clearly possesses a great deal of knowledge about it. However, it seemed like the book was rushed to printing without thorough editing.
   
   There are typos and omissions throughout the book. The most annoying omission was the detailed protocol for breeding the Orchid Dottyback. For every species of Dottyback, and for other unrelated species, the author refers the reader to see the "detailed protocol of breeding P. fridmani" on page 186. This detailed protocol seems to be one of the most important sections in the book; and it isn't there. I read the book cover to cover and never found the "detailed protocol of breeding P. fridmani." Considering that this section is referred to so often and for so many species the omission of this section is either extremely sloppy editing or it was purposefully left out. Perhaps some of the commercial breeders associated with the author didn't want these details released...
   
   The photos in the book are very good, and help to redeem the overall poor editing.



5. The book is exceptional reference for the home breeder.
   
   However it could have been a little more detailed in a few sections.
   
   It is the best Marine Breeders reference I have came accross to date.

5 comments about The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums (Simple Guide to...).

1. I do not doubt that the author possesses incredible knowledge on the subject of freshwater aquariums. But he is seriously lacking in the skills required to convey that information to beginners.
   
   Trying to wade through the way he felt information should be organized was exhausting. He'll go on and on and on about a certain subject only to say "but beginners shouldn't try this", or "but hey, you're not a chemist so just do X".
   
   Trying to find the answers to the simplest questions was next to impossible.



2. This is wonderful book for beginners. Straight foward, no nonsense, no chemical warfare in your tank. If you are starting out get this book.



3. I wish I had read this book before setting up my first aquarium! Out of 40 fish I bought, 8 died within the first 2 weeks. One thing this book taught me is that you cannot always rely on the honesty of your local pet dealer. Pet stores sometimes want to get rid of unwanted pets, and might find your lack of knowledge to their advantage. Reading books about fish care and how to set up a first aquarium is way more important than relying on your pet shop's advice.
   
   For example, the pet shop told me to wash my aquarium well before filling it with water. He omitted to say that I should not use any chemicals, such as soaps or window cleaners detergents, such as Windex. The chemicals in such products will dissolve in your aquarium's water and eventually kill all of your fish. Always wash your aquarium with water only! You may use bleach, and the author explains how this should be done.
   
   For your first aquarium, the author recommends avoiding goldfish. They will quickly dirty your aquarium with their waste and increase the ammonia content of your water. My pet store neglected to tell me this and advised me to buy mostly goldfish!
   
   The pet store told me to keep the fish in their plastic bag, and have it float in my aquarium for 15 minutes on arrival at my house. This is so that the temperature in the plastic bag becomes the same as the temperature in the aquarium. The author says thin is a misconception. The correct way of doing it, and the way that will cause the least stress on the fish, is to pour the fish and the water in the bag in a small container of about 2 liters. Gradually add a cup of water from your aquarium to this container every few minutes until it is almost filled up. Then net the fish out of this container and into your aquarium. Discard the water in the container. NEVER put the water back into the aquarium, lest you run the risk of introducing contaminants and disease into your aquarium from your pet store's water!
   
   My pet store told me to feed my fish once every day. They even sold me a tablet that I can put in my aquarium during my travels which will provide food for my fish for about a week. The author cautions about overfeeding your fish. He explains how fish can easily survive 2 weeks without being fed. It is healthy for fish to be put regularly on a fast. The author explains that there are many microscopic food in the water for fish to eat! Beware of pet shops trying to sell you food you won't need.
   
   The pet shop gave me a plastic bottle with fish food in it and told me this is good for all types of fish. The author explains how different species need different foods, and how fish food should be supplemented with vegetables. Giving your fish the same food repeatedly is not good for their health, and they will quickly grow bored. Feed your fish an assortment of food, but always specific to the species in your aquarium.
   
   Fish can easily jump out of your aquarium says the author. Always keep your aquarium closed. My pet store told me fish can't jump, and that it is safe to keep your aquarium without a top cover.
   
   The author also talks about the cycling principle, the 3 Ns (ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites), the different species of fish and why not all fish can be mixed together (some fish will eat others), and the placement of your aquarium, among many other interesting and important topics.
   
   I can go on with the list of advice the author gives. This is truly a great book for all beginners, and I am glad I read it. I can now be a better parent to my new pets. I highly recommend this book!



4. Everything that needs to be said already has been, but I wanted to chime in and say that it is indeed a great book for beginners and much more readable than your typical instructional book. I read the whole thing in like 2 sittings because I was so captivated by it. Definitely learned a lot and have had 2 successful aquariums as a result.



5. This book is to freshwater aquariums what The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is to saltwater: a treasure trove of information and an invaluable resource. It has everything a beginning aquarist needs to know about setting up their first aquarium, presented plainly but intelligently. The layout is attractive (helping to maintain interest in the subject matter).
   
   It would have been helpful if there had been more info on the more popular fish species but that would probably be too complicated for any one freshwater book.

5 comments about Clownfishes.

1. Finding Nemo may have made this fish famous but they have always been fantastic in my view. This book covers all of what you need to know about this family of fish. Well written, great pics. 5 Stars.



2. Nice Book.. it Is only for beginners and intermediate readers.. you will not found the secret of clownfish, but I think that you have to buy it.



3. This is the best book. Lot's of info on how to raise them and take care of them.



4. If you want to raise clownfish or just want to know everything about them, this is definitely the book for you. I lost my copy and tore my house apart to find it and finally had to purchase a new one - just can't live without it.
   For raising clownfish, she covers everything from spawning, hatching, catching, feeding, raising food, illnesses, selling, etc. It's amazing how many times I've had a problem, looked in the book, and she wrote about it.
   This is definitely 'the bible' for raising clownfish.



5. it was really informative. I feel when i am ready i may be able to mate my clowns successfully with confidence. i also appriciate the background the author went into.

5 comments about The Complete Book of the Freshwater Aquarium: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to More Than 600 Freshwater Fish and Plants.

1. Really? I have to say I'm a little surprised at the higher ratings this book has received. Where to begin?
   
   Pros:
   - Hardcover.
   - Full colour, decent sized, [mostly] high quality photos.
   - The plant section (about 64 pages) has some good photos and descriptions.
   - The fish are sorted by family, with a colour coded bar across the top of each page for quick scanning.
   
   Get ready - here are the Cons:
   - The disease section is really lacking; about 3 pages with ONE photo- a Neon Tetra with dropsy (as if there's ever confusion as to what a bloated belly might look like- why not pictures showing the difference between ich and velvet?)
   - Fish choices. Understandably (for space constraints), not all freshwater fish are represented. However, the choices in fish represented seem extraordinarily inconsistent. I have to wonder if the author was going for more of the "wow" factor than a reasonable array of creatures. Arowanas, for instance, receive a full page unto themselves. Frankly, somebody who is set up to be housing an Arowana is far beyond needing a book like this. Tetraodontidae (Puffer fish) gets three pages. Yes, it's a remarkable fish- but three pages is not enough information to work off of alone, and in the meantime takes away space that could have been used more wisely.
   - The invertebrates section. Why bother? 12 pages, not enough information, sorely lacking in pictures, and a lot of fluff.
   - Breeding. 5 pages. Again- why bother? Not enough to work off of; just enough to let you know that you're going to have to purchase another book.
   - Fish "stats". These are REALLY lacking, and the inexcusable dealbreaker in my opinion. No water specifications (temperatures, acidity, hardness, etc). Sometimes you can go to the beginning of the section and read the blurb about the family to sleuth out temperature, etc. This proves to be inconsistent and inconvenient though.
   - Fish descriptions. Inconsistent! Terribly so. One description includes breeding information, the next does not. One description mentions the fish as having a personality in addition to it's physical characteristics, the next focuses only on colouration. Crucial bits of knowledge are left out- not one Loach description mentions the need for a tank cover.
   
   I haven't actually gone and counted how many fish/plants are shown in this book (so I may be incorrect) - but I have a feeling that the claim of "A comprehensive reference guide to more than 600 freshwater fish and plants" is backed up NOT by 600 individual descriptions, but by maybe 300-400 descriptions; the other 200-300 species being counted from classification lists with no descriptions or photos.
   
   This guide had a lot of possibility, but it seems that the author was so caught up in filler material trying to make it "complete" that a lot of important detail was neglected or left out completely. I'm not saying it's awful, but the title is very misleading - it's not complete, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it as a first book for someone looking to get started in aquariums. I get so frustrated when I need to refer to my books and find this one - my most recent purchase. The fact that I always turn to my 1988, technologically outdated library-book-sale guide and find more complete, concise, easy to find information EVERY time is a definite red flag. Save yourself the let down and skip this one!



2. I recently purchased this book and I am quite pleased with the visual reference to both tropical freshwater fish and plants. I was a bit disappointed in the aquarium setup guide in the beginning of the book in reference to such small weekly water changes and the use of charcoal ( I do 40-50% water changes on my moderate planted aquariums and my fish thrive - larger water chances bring out breeding behavior and other natural interactions among my fish) In addition, charcoal is not necessary and active charcoal's tendency to clear water is only good for approximately a week, not months...
   
   However, I would purchase this book again just for the visual and descriptive (lacking water parameters) accounts of so many classes of fish and plants. It is a large book and looks good on a coffee table, etc..



3. I liked this book. It helped me in being able to pick out plants and fish for a new tank I am setting up. The pictures could be a little better but for the price this book is an excellent buy.



4. Being new to aquariums and tropical fish, I found this book to be very helpful in all the basics. It is wonderfully illustrated and covers the major points. I wish it would give more suggestions for possible compatible communities of fish.



5. 
   I am currently 58 years young and have been into tropical fish ever since I was in the 5th grade. I occasionally purchase tropical fish books, enjoying looking at the various species and reading about them, even though I do not have most of them. I was very delighted with this particular book. Excellent illustrations of many breeds, with some good summary material with each one. Great information for beginners at the front of the book; and a lot of plants covered, with very helpful tips regarding them. Even the illustrations for the plants were excellent! One really gets one's money's worth with this book; it seems that it should cost a lot more than it actually does... a rarity in this day and age! Not a lot of specific information on temperature ranges for each species was provided, but you can easily get that in other books or on the web.

4 comments about Marine Chemistry.

1. This book should be in every aquarist's library whether you are just a novice starting you first marine aquarium or an experienced hobbiest wanting to revisit concepts in water chemistry management. If you are a novice, you may want to pace yourself reading the material. The material may take the non-science oriented person time to understand some of the discussion on chemical reactions and the chemical equations associated with those reactions, but the manner in which the material is presented allows for comprehension and practical application of the information. Examples of information presented include the intricate relationship of pH, calcium and alkalinity, the remineralization cycle and impact of organic materials, total dissolved solids and generation of phosphoric compounds (all with relevant chemical equations) in the aquarium and finally the latest techniques in water purification. The best aspect of this book is after the scientific discussion, the author explains how to use this information in a practical manner to achieve optimal water parameters in the aquarium. After you finish reading the book, you are sure to use this as a reference in your aquarium library.



2. I have been reading the internet non-stop for past 1 month !! I have spent over 150 hours reading various topics related to aquariums. In addition i have read over 5 books in this 1 month about aquariums. This all was motivated after my first fish died. As a well educated person, i have gone from complete idiot to an advanced (theoretically) aquarist in this 1 month period. So i have the unique perspective of what a novice beginner needs to know to start an aquarium (freshwater, brackish or marine) and i have the theoretical knowledge needed by an advanced aquarist who wants to run a reef system / planted freshwater. So, after having spent a month on nothing but reading books and internet, i can make good judgement on which is a book to buy and which is worthless. I can say this book is excellent reference material as well as introduction to water chemistry. A must have for beginner to intermediate level aquarist. The author has presented complex material in a well written form. The degree of difficulty in understanding this book depends on your understanding of chemistry and formal education or time spent in aquarium hobby. Considering the prices of other books, i would say this book is a bargain. It can be useful even to a freshwater or brackish water aquarium, because of the knowledge one would gain about water chemistry. my only complaint is that the author has failed to address the role Potassium (K), which makes up a bigger ppm in water more than many of the other elements discussed. That would have made this book complete. Also the table of seawater elemental composition would have been more complete if it presented amount of Carbon present in the form of dissolved CO2. I am writing these tiny criticisms in the hope that the author would come across this review sometime. I reviewed numerous books at 4 different bookstores before i picked some of the books i need to add to my collection. One of my criteria is that a book i bought should stay useful as a reference book, even if i finished reading it. And this is the first book for which i felt like writing a review in amazon.



3. As my specialty is in psychology and human behavior (I am an avid hobbyist in my spare time), I tend to be suspicious of the motives of individuals who write reviews that blindly spit angry and critical remarks, but fail to substantiate their comments with any real reasons. Doubting the validity of the negative review, I bought the book anyway. I have to say that my suspicions were confirmed and I have been nothing but impressed with this useful, explanatory, and in-depth discussion of marine aquarium chemistry.
   
   Marine Chemistry is a book that can better equip the novice and even the most advanced hobbyist in making the best possible choices about how to maintain water chemistry. It helps take the guesswork out of deciding which water care products promote a healthy environment and conversely, which ones could be detrimental. (The index even includes sample calculations on determining how much of specific additives are required to maintain water parameters; this is not something that I have seen included in other books, nor is it usually on manufacturers' websites/labels. There are several "before" and "after" photographs of aquarium specimens showing the impact that elements can have on their care). Further, the book discusses basic principles of maintaining important aspects of water quality, such as calcium, for instance, and why certain methods are advantageous to others in various situations (e.g., kalkwasser vs. calcium chloride). These and others are issues that most, if not all, marine aquarium hobbyists have dealt with, or will deal with, at times during the course of their participation in the hobby; this alone makes the book very valuable. I have found that an initial read-through has been excellent review of basic concepts (e.g., explanation of alkalinity and pH) and has exposed me to newer, unfamiliar ideas (e.g., supporting arguments for strontium and iodine use based on marine biology and chemistry). I keep this book accessible and refer to it often. I feel confident that as I continue to become increasingly competent in this hobby, I will continue to be able to reference information in this book, progressively deepening my proficiency in the hobby.
   
   As a last comment, in my opinion, the information in this book is as up-to-date as any marine aquarium hobbyist of any skill level needs it to be. Further, it explains concepts in a comprehensive, yet easy to understand, manner, whereas articles written in Reef Central magazine tend to be verbose and seem to reflect an effort of the author to talk over the head of their readers.



4. This is a pathetic rushed effort. If you are looking for up to date
   information about the chemistry of modern reef keeping it is not in this
   book. Go read 'Reef Central' magazine for free.

2 comments about Koi (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. Koi (Complete Pet Owner's Manual), I think inside this book not so complete, but it can say this so basic.



2. This is a great concise introduction to koi fish and ponds. It includes pics and descriptions of different classifications of koi. Types of water plants and construction of different types of ponds are addressed. Basic, but still very informative.

4 comments about Aquarium Care of Cichlids (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

1. I found this book woefully lacking substance and any real information as to the keeping of cichlids. I finished reading it in under an hour, easily (probably closer to 40 minutes). Although an attractive book, its reading level would probably be more appropriate to a child approximately twelve years of age. A very basic beginners book.
   
   Unfortunately, there appears to be a dearth of good, informative books on keeping cichlids (I was unable to find any other on Amazon rated as highly as this one).



2. From a Teacher. . .
   
   Claudia Dickinson's new book, the "Aquarium Care of Cichlids" is a great fish and learning resource for any new or veteran teacher, or simply for a student of cichlids, not only because it is so accurate and informative, but because of how it is written. The book understands teaching in that the pages are "interactive" and the chapters reflect an important teaching flow.
   The pages are "interactive" in design as they are filled with engaging images framed with different geometric shapes that captures the eye and draws you into the critical information provided in a short format and then expanded on throughout the chapter's pages. The engagement goes further by providing the reader, both young and old, with expert knowledge and summary pages for emphasis and clarity.
   The book is ideal for learning because of its logical flow that builds upon itself. First, the books starts with the critical question, "Why Cichlids," and then advances the reader Chapter by Chapter through background information, preparations to be accomplished, and then a number of critical care chapters. This emphasis on learning as you read and then putting the animals first is thoroughly reinforced next through a new important but action oriented question, "Which Cichlid is Best for Me?" The final chapter provides the "real" world connections that can be used by a veteran or newcomer to take their new-found knowledge to ever increasing levels of understanding. For me, as well as for my students, the book is as much a resource as a guide for thinking about the "Aquarium Care of Cichlids." If you have a cichlid tank at home, or in a classroom, this book should be close by for all to be taught about what they are seeing each day in their designed aquatic habitat. The book puts fish and learning first, and this fact makes the book invaluable. I recommend this book highly and without reservation based on my 35 years of teaching experience, work with teachers as a professor at Johns Hopkins University and the co-author of a number of curriculums.



3. This book is written by the consumate enthusiast. There is not a chapter that does not contain valuable and practical information on this outstanding family of fishes. Not only does the author enlighten you, she inspires you, or perhaps I should say she allows these fascinating fishes to inspire you. Cichlids are freshwater fish known for their intelligence and the wonderful parental care of their fry. No one has ever conveyed their amazing qualities better than Claudia Dickinson. I have been keeping aquarium fish for over 40 years, and have read many aquarium books (well over a hundred). I can assure potential buyers that this is must read for anyone interested in cichlids. It has a permanent place in my collection.



4. Those of us in-the-know have been anxiously awaiting the debut of Aquarium Care of Cichlids, by Claudia Dickinson. It has fulfilled our expectations, and then some! The author is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable aquarist. She shares all of that with her readers, along with her effervescent enthusiasm. On one page she becomes an historian, on another a scientist, and on many others she is a hobbyist just like you or me. Her writing style is friendly without being flippant!
   There are eight chapters simply overflowing with advice and information. It is published by T.F.H., and it is also part of the Animal Planet Pet Care Library; "Expertly written, these user-friendly guides are bound to delight the entire family."
   Even though this is Ms. Dickinson's first book, she is far from a beginning author. She has won multiple awards for the countless articles she has written for such publications as Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Cichlid News, Buntbarsche Bulletin, and Modern Aquarium, to name but a few.
   To quote Ms. Dickinson: "If reading this book sets you on the road to success with your first cichlid aquarium, these pages will have served their purpose well." Ultimately, YOUR review will be the most telling!
   (Submitted by the book review columnist for Modern Aquarium magazine.)