The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums by Jeffrey Kurtz
I'll give this one five stars.
It has a well thought out and detailed table of contents and index. This is primarily for beginners so it includes a lot of detail into the nitrogen cycle, different types of filters. He does discuss UGF, Berlin, and plenums, but not refugiums. I'm guessing too complex for newbies? Anyway, there's a lot of detail.
Almost everything in the book is discussed and then broken down into pros and cons. I think that's a good way to go.
There is an extensive newbie guide to marine organisms (up to and including anemones, which he says are for more experienced people). He includes both common and scientific names (finally someone does so). He describe some hardy and useful organisms in detail and there are some excellent pictures of them.
The author also inserts good pictures and handy fact boxes throughout the book. Since I'm a teacher, this book has an almost text-book feel to it. The book is over 231 pages (not including TOC and index). About 2/5 is stocking from mushrooms all the way to fish, the rest is set-up and maintenance. He devotes about 4 chapters (40 pages) to water params, cycling, water changes, and setting up the aquarium. The rest is equipment and why that equipment is useful.
Finally, there is an excellent section on illness and disease with pictures of the problems.
All-in-all an excellent book for the price ($18 at Petco).
I'll give this one five stars.
It has a well thought out and detailed table of contents and index. This is primarily for beginners so it includes a lot of detail into the nitrogen cycle, different types of filters. He does discuss UGF, Berlin, and plenums, but not refugiums. I'm guessing too complex for newbies? Anyway, there's a lot of detail.
Almost everything in the book is discussed and then broken down into pros and cons. I think that's a good way to go.
There is an extensive newbie guide to marine organisms (up to and including anemones, which he says are for more experienced people). He includes both common and scientific names (finally someone does so). He describe some hardy and useful organisms in detail and there are some excellent pictures of them.
The author also inserts good pictures and handy fact boxes throughout the book. Since I'm a teacher, this book has an almost text-book feel to it. The book is over 231 pages (not including TOC and index). About 2/5 is stocking from mushrooms all the way to fish, the rest is set-up and maintenance. He devotes about 4 chapters (40 pages) to water params, cycling, water changes, and setting up the aquarium. The rest is equipment and why that equipment is useful.
Finally, there is an excellent section on illness and disease with pictures of the problems.
All-in-all an excellent book for the price ($18 at Petco).
