Book Description
This book is the "bible" on the subject of Reef Aquarium keeping, covering the biology of coral reefs and relating it to the biological, chemical, and physical parameters considered when creating a reef aquarium. The book details how to successfully cultivate corals in captivity and also features the identification and care of numerous coral and giant clam species. Diseases and parasites, and methods for controlling algae are also featured. The book finishes with an exciting section of photographs demonstrating successful reef aquariums.
Customer Reviews:
Great advice.......2005-10-14
New hobbyist should read this book for advice, then read it again in 6 months.
Wonderful Stony Coral and Clam Reference.......2005-06-09
The good?
This book is truly a comprehensive piece covering probably more than you want to know at times. For example, it explains the chemical reactions that occur during calcification of corals and why additions are necessary.
After reading many other references, I must say I am very happy I purchased this volume. Contained in these pages are insights you won't find anywhere else.
The book clearly explains the setup and maintenance procedures required to be successful in stony coral reef keeping.
The bad?
My main gripe is trivial. Guys, how about a larger font size and pictures? I had to do a lot of squinting.
It could do with a minor revision of some references that are dated (such as collection of live rock from Florida) as the original was 1994, but make no mistake that all information is relevant.
In summary...
Obviously at this price it is unfortunately out of reach of the casual hobbyist, which is a shame. However, one could buy this book instead of various "reference manuals" which might be the same at the end of the day.
Buy it if you can afford it.
I also highly recommend Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals book.
Perhaps the best book on reef care.......2005-05-16
An exceptional book on the subject. It is comprehensive but I would not say not complete as no book on this subject could be. Still I believe this book to be the best work compiled in book form. Described by many as "the Bible" on the subject it indeed may be but it is not dogmatic as it offers several options and methods and leaves it for the aquarist to use.
(Note: This volume covers stony corals and not soft corals).
When I started keeping marine aquaria keeping back in 1970 one almost had to employ the skills of a chemist. In those days most people in the hobby thought it nearly impossible to care for many of the species of coral now commonly kept. It was only through the encouragement of a local public aquarium (the John G. Shedd Aquarium) whereas a high school student I was able to participate in collecting trips that I got the encouragement to experiment. I started out with Robert Straughan's books back in 1970 which both helped to get me in trouble and helped me grow as an aquarist. both In those days there was an awful lot of trial and error. Later in the late 70's I helped to pioneer some techniques when I worked for the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco. In those days in San Francisco I worked for one of the largest marine fish wholesalers in the world. We had a lot of shipments that went off to Germany and now I wonder if some of the species that passed through my hands ended up in the hands of the authors. Somewhat of a revolution went of in the hoby in the 1980 thanks in part to the efforts of the Germans. Thankfully the hobby is now much more of a discipline and a lot more humane. It is quite amazing how far the hobby has come. I am sure the hobby will continue to evolve. This is a pricey book but it is a pricey hobby and this book is one of the best, if not the best, books on the subject available. The best place to start with the hobby is a book like this one.
Helpful books.......2001-12-10
In some reviews the two volumes of "The Reef Aquarium" have been named "the bible of reef aquarists". This makes you expect a lot, but my expectations have not been disappointed in any way. Describing the natural habit at in the coral reef, explaining the established reef aquarium systems or introducing the suitable aquarium inhabitants - in these two books I found it all. Even here in Germany those two books are known as a German translation, and they're successful.
The Questions Are Answered.......2001-12-05
This book should be an example by which all other marine and reef aquarium books follow. Current and relavant information from cover to cover. This is the stuff you need to know if you are serious about being successful in this hobby. Great book but a great group of people.
Book Description
This second volume in the series features the anemones and soft corals associated with reefs, detailing their biology and husbandry requirements, and featuring numerous species descriptions, with the benefit of wonderful color photographs. Also featured is new information regarding parasites in reef aquariums, and captive culture of anemones and soft corals. The book finishes with another section featuring more stunning images of reef aquariums around the world.
Customer Reviews:
A Must for any Salt Water Aquarium Household.......2007-07-13
My husband took a dive into the Saltwater Aquarium world. ALL of Sprung's books are a must have. They have a lot of info and definitely is a great resource. Well worth the price. It has been referenced many times throughout the saltwater aquarium evolution.
not a beginner book.......2006-03-09
This book goes indepth about the anatomy and physiology of mushrooms, soft corals and anemones. Not a great reference guide for choosing specimens for your It tends to generalize by family and/or genus vs species. If you are new to saltwater and are looking for a reference to choose items for your tank this would not be my first choice.
THE reference for that field.......2005-10-06
Just like the vol. 1, that is a must-have book. Please note that the vol. 3 should be released late Nov. 2005.
Emmanuel, Los Angeles CA
One of the best of the best vol.2.......2005-05-16
This volume of the series covers the soft corals and sea anemones; very important topics indeed for reef aquarium. The two books together are still not complete as there are many organisms found in a reef aquaria still not covered. In this series. A fine glossary accompanies this book. Much of what I had to gleen by trial and error and by reading arcane publications over the years is covered in this book. Approachable to the beginner yet a lot of substance for the expert.
The Reef Tank Bible Part Two.......2002-10-22
With volume one and volume two, what more does a reef aquarist need? Answer: Volume Three !
Product Description
This colorful photographic field guide describes about 1,200 species of common invertebrates, fishes, reptiles and mammals that occur on and around the world's coral reefs and mangroves. 6-1/2" x 7", 478 pages, 1,300 color photos.
Customer Reviews:
A Diver's Guide to Reef Life.......2007-09-17
A Diver's Guide to Reef Life
Comment by Stephen Wong, Marine Wildlife Photojournalist
I used to believe that biologists (or people who knew much of science) did not make the prettiest images, while dedicated photographers were merely trying to paint aesthetic pictures but didn't know a lot about the scientific part of their subjects. I am sure the biologists could shoot extremely well but they just didn't have the time to create the pretty photos, as their time spent would be doing much research in lab and field. At the same time, wildlife photographers could be stellar ecologist but simply lack the proper background training to discuss seriously the scientific side, or the photographers could know in-depth biology on only a few subjects but not many. Gee, am I wrong! "A Diver's Guide to Reef Life" by Andrea & Antonella Ferrari has changed my steretypic perception.
This 480-page 16cm X 18cm book delivers a wealth of scientific knowledge plus a full load of exquisite images. There must be at least 828 species (I counted) of the more encountered and diver-interested marine creatures' discussed and over 1,200 species of animals deftly composed in the book. Not only the general distribution and sizing of the subjects are talked about, the animals' individual habitats and their intrigue life habits are discussed. The ID shots for the `science' section are more than adequate as the pictures clearly show the species' colors, shapes and unique features so that viewers can immediately locate and relate to. The life habits section and the galleries (many beautiful images) are my most favorite. I am learning a lot from these two areas, plus from the underwater photo-tips that the Ferraris stated in each family introduction.
Besides the more popular diver-quested subjects, such as sharks to the jeweled pygmy seahorses, the book also covers subjects that may be of less interest to most divers, like the corals, sponges and sea squirts. Though these are not talked in-depth, the authors have used ample images to let the readers compare to what they see in their dives - a criteria for a good guide book. The Ferraris also have dedicated a small section on the dangers that the ecosystem now faces and suggested a list of `Don'ts' for everyone to help to preserve the fragile reef.
"A Diver's Guide to Reef Life" is a book that makes nature lovers learn more about the denizens of the seas and the relationships with each other. With interesting marine science balances eye-savvy images, be the book placed on the shelf for educational purposes or bringing it on dive locations for reference, I highly recommend the book for everyone and all resorts.
If you need ONE book, this is the one!.......2007-06-27
This book is the most used book in the library at Raja Ampat's Sorido Bay. It seemed that whatever we were looking for, was in this book. Now I have to resolve the spelling quirk for Thysanozoon. Who is correct? The Ferrari's or the others? Also, a big plus for this book...it stays open wherever you put it, while you are researching all your finds. The construction is ingenious.
Top Guide.......2007-06-18
ANDREA AND ANTONELLA FERRARI have spent years amassing the photographs and information contained in A Diver's Guide to Reef Life, and it shows.
With 1200 tropical species, ranging from coral polyps, gorgonians, sea squirts, sponges, nudibranchs and all of the main fish groups, this is a truly comprehensive work, and probably the only reef guide most divers will need to take with them on a trip.
Covering the Red Sea, Indo-Pacific and many Caribbean species, the book comes in a handy, almost square format with just three species per page, allowing good-sized images of high quality.
The authors describe each species carefully, and where possible give information on behaviour to assist with identification. For example, the reader learns that the orangeband surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus) "can switch its main body colour from dark olive to tan to dark blue in seconds" and that there are 40 different species of triggerfish. One section shows juvenile specimens of some of the commonest fish, demonstrating how unlike their adult forms they can be.
Photographically, Reef Life is excellent, with every shot a genuinely representative view of the animal or fish described. The book also contains a good general introduction to coral-reef ecology, and titbits of information are spread throughout the text: "94 million tonnes of fish are now taken globally each year, compared to 19 million tonnes in 1950."
The Ferraris also produced the Macrolife Guide to Underwater Malaysia, in my opinion the best of its kind. Now they have created an indispensable companion volume that will serve every diver well.
Tim Ecott, author Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World
One of the better guides to marine life.......2007-06-06
As a marine biologist as well as an author and photographer of marine life books, I am very selective in my choice of those that end up on my shelf. I am particularly critical of books with a global scope as these invariably include only a small fraction of what lives in any particular area. These books usually include only what the photographer happens to have good photographs of rather than what is important. This book is an exception as the authors have included many excellent photographs taken by others. In doing so the authors have managed to pull together 1200 of the most important and interesting species, all with concise information on distribution, habitat and behavior. No book of this kind is immune from misidentification, but this one has fewer than most. It's a keeper. For those in the w. Pacific who want to dig deeper, please also check the following: Micronesian Reef Fishes: A Field Guide for Divers and Aquarists
Wonderful photo guide to reef life.......2007-06-04
I have A DIVER'S GUIDE TO UNDERWATER MALAYSIA MACROLIFE and was pleased to see this additional book by the Andrea & Antonella Ferrari. I find this book just beautiful and well researched. This book is superior to some other field guides seem slapped together without much substance. I see this as a great addition to my library. You may also be interested in the following book: Coral Reef Guide Red Sea (Coral Reef)
Amazon.com
Thinking of getting a low-maintenance pet that requires little cost and minimal upkeep? After reading this book, you may want to reconsider choosing a fish. As author Gregory Skomal illustrates, creating a healthy environment for your fish is not as easy as you might think. Gone are the days of putting fish in a bowl and tossing them some fish flakes every now and then; today's savvy fish owners have freshwater aquariums with the proper pH balance and feed their fish household foods such as canned peas, raw ground beef, and cooked egg yolks. Part one of Setting up a Saltwater Aquarium includes chapters on the physical properties of a fish, helping readers understand the basic needs of their prospective pet, as well as the necessary information to set up the fish's new home. Part two guides the reader through the fish selection process. The third part of the book is the most thorough, including information on such topics as feeding your fish, keeping your fish healthy, and breeding your fish. The end of the book recommends resources such as clubs, books, and Internet sites that fish aquarists can access to keep their information current. Complete with illustrations and color photographs, Setting up a Freshwater Aquarium is full of interesting and useful information for the would-be fish owner.
Book Description
This is our sixth set of Happy, Healthy Pet titles. These are books pet owners can turn to for the essential information they need to raise a healthy pet. All books contain information on
- feeding
- housing
- grooming
- health care
- what to expect from the pet
- and basic training
As our series expands and focuses on different kinds of pets, the emphasis remains on making the pet a companion. In addition, owners of more unusual pets will particularly appreciate the expert advice in these books because professional care for their animals may be difficult to come by. As always, the instruction is from experts: people who know their pet intimately but also remember what it was like to have one for the first time.
Happy, Healthy Pet guides are rich with professional quality color photos and are designed to be enjoyable and easy to learn from.
Customer Reviews:
Basic but behind the times.......2002-10-05
A good book introductory book when it was published but does not contain the latest information. Shimek has written subsequent introductory book with additional information.
i didn't think it was too informative........1998-07-19
I think that this book was well written but it lacked information on modern filtration systems and was generally too far back in the past to be an outstanding reference. This is the only flaw i found in the book, otherwise it is a fairly good pick!
Book Description
An encyclopedic reference for setting up, stocking, and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.
Nothing rivals the color and appeal of a saltwater aquarium. The
Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium simplifies the complexities of setting-up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium.
The book illustrates and explains:
Specific characteristics of invertebrates and marine fish
Important differences between tropical and freshwater fish
Choosing a tank: advantages and disadvantages of glass and acrylic, different shapes, and critical construction details
Accessories such as aquarium heaters, lights, and filters
Water testing and maintaining the correct chemical balance
More than half of the book is a directory that covers species from 34 fish families. Details include their characteristics, natural environment, diet and feeding, size range, and aquarium behavior.
Coldwater aquariums are covered in a separate section that shows how to establish an artificial habitat for fish requiring temperate saltwater.
This full-color reference will appeal to saltwater tropical fish enthusiasts at any level.
Customer Reviews:
Nice reference.......2007-01-10
When I bought this book I had already been in the sw hobby for six years, but for some reason I had to have this book. Needs to be updated, but it offers a great and broad foundation of the hobby. It is easy to read, and has awesome pictures. Also some of the species names were different from what I have seen in most other books. ???
Great Book for Doctors Lobby.......2006-12-16
This is a wonderful book for the lay person to read as they wait to see their doctor. The pictures are lovely. I gave it as a gift to my favorite dermatologist who happens to have a saltwater aquarium on display.
Good Reference Book.......2006-11-03
We've used this book mostly for identification of fish that we didn't recognize at the pet store. The pictures are fantastic and it covers a broad scope of information on setting up the tank, reefs, fish and invertebrates. It gives information on what they eat, who they get along with, and what conditions they prefer. In some cases, however, the directions for caring for a certain type of fish were not as detailed as we would have liked. If you want a general saltwater reference book, this is a great investment. If you're looking for specific, detailed instructions on how to care for different things in your tank, another book might be a good supplement to this one.
Environmental awareness approach for new hobbyists.......2006-03-13
Full of excellent information about the marine bio-sphere. Most of the information is presented in such a way that environmental awareness is passed to the reader, which will be good food-for-thought for any new hobbyists. Crisp & clear photographs are backed by descriptions of marine life, which give a clear understanding of the subjects chosen.
Comprehensive and informative........2006-03-09
This book is a good reference book for fetermining what fish you might want to get down the road. I wouldn't recommend it for your initial tank startup as there are better books for that, but for fish ID and compatibility, it is nice. There are lots of wonderful pictures and overall good information.
Book Description
Creating and maintaining a thriving saltwater aquarium is not a task for the faint-hearted. It requires attention to many details and special understanding of seawater chemistry--but the rewards for the hobbyist are worth the effort. Here's a guide that makes setting up a marine aquarium easier. The brilliantly illustrated Tankmaster Books are for serious aquarium hobbyists, as well as beginners who want to know more about keeping an aquarium. Tankmaster books show rather than merely tell the details of aquarium maintenance with pages filled with full-color photos and diagrams. Written instruction takes the form of enlightening picture captions and labels that explain all details in each illustration. More than 200 illustrations in every volume.
Product Description
Shown and described here is a broad selection of colorful coral reef fish and invertebrates that are available to marine aquarium hobbyists. They include parrotfish, burrfish, puffers, starfish, sea horses, trigger fish, shrimp and other shellfish, and many more. The brilliantly illustrated Tankmaster Books are for serious aquarium hobbyists, as well as beginners who want to know more about keeping an aquarium. Tankmaster books show rather than merely tell the details of aquarium maintenance with pages filled with full-color photos and diagrams. Written instruction takes the form of enlightening picture captions and labels that explain all details in each illustration. More than 200 illustrations in every volume. Table of Contents: Keeping Marine Fish Clownfish and Damselfish Angelfish Butterflyfish Wrasses Surgeonfish and Tangs Triggerfish Groupers and Basslets Blennies and Gobies Boxfish, Cowfish, and Puffers Miscellaneous Marine Species Index and Credits Hardcover / 80 Pages / 10 1/8 x 7 1/8 / 2001
Product Description
2005 Annual Aquarium USA Magazine. Articles include: Biginner Cichlids, What Aila Them?, Equipping Your First tank, and more.
Product Description
2006 Annual for the Aquarium USA Magazine. Articles include: Fishkeeping - Join the fun!, What to do if Your Fish are Dying, You Can't beat A Betta, Expert Picks for Beginners, and more.
Books:
- The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates (Volume 1)
- The Te of Piglet
- The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth
- The Wolves at the Door: The True Story of America's Greatest Female Spy
- Training the Three-day Event Horse and Rider: Doubleday Equestrian Library
- Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution
- Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats
- Walter the Farting Dog
- We were Soldiers Once...And Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed The War In Vietnam
- What Your Horse Wants You to Know: What Horses' "Bad" Behavior Means, and How to Correct It
Books Index
Books Home
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Fish & Aquariums
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The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates (Vol 2)
The Reef Aquarium: Science, Art, and Technology, Vol. 3
Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History
Reef Invertebrates: An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility
Algae: A Problem Solver Guide (Oceanographic Series)
