View Full Version : Best Freshwater Aquarium Magazine?
Cichlid Woman
12-09-2002, 6:49 PM
I subscribe to Aquarium Fish. What bugs me about it is that about half of the magazine is saltwater articles, which I don't read and am not interested in. For what I pay for the subscription, I sure would be happier if I could be receiving a magazine devoted exclusively to freshwater.
Anybody know of such a puppie? I'll order it!!
Thanks!
-- Pat
wetmanNY
12-09-2002, 7:20 PM
Practical Fishkeeping is more completely freshwater-- it has pond articles too, and a look round the shops-- British shops! ("Best of the litter... in Bedfordshire")
I generally read all the marine articles in AF, though I'll never have a Mini-Reef in an un-airconditioned New York apartment...
...well, maybe not the "Forty-seven Fairy Wrasses you didn't know about" articles...
there are excellent freshwater aquarium magazines in German, Dutch, Swedish...
...nothing's perfect in life sigh
TnCgal
12-09-2002, 7:21 PM
Cichlid woman,
Most publications are moving towards fresh AND salt water so that there will be more appeal. There was just recently a discussion about this same topic on this thread :
http://64.191.28.50/forums/showthread.php?threadid=828&highlight=magazine
Anton Wernher
12-09-2002, 7:25 PM
Being a german american has come in handy with my studies(physics) and hobby(fish of course).... If you can read german I can help you in getting subscribtions to some very good freshwater magazines.
TnCgal
12-09-2002, 7:32 PM
I had to look up the subscription information but here it is if you are interested :
Tropical Fish Hobbyist
Subscription number : 888/859-9034
Fax : 888/508-5544
www.tfh.com
1 year (12 issues) = $28.00
2 years (24 issues) = 49.00
3 years (36 issues) = 65.00
Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or Discover
Canada and Mexico add $11 per year. Allow 4-6 weeks for subscription to start.
blee358
12-09-2002, 7:46 PM
i agree with TnCgal. usually when i go to my lfbook store i buy a copy of tropical fish hobbyist. i think u got the prices right too TnCgal.
Cichlid Woman
12-09-2002, 8:16 PM
I found TFH at this website (after starting from yours, TnCGal--thanks!
http://www.newsearching.com/pets_magazine/Tropical_Fish_Hobbyist_Magazine.html
No sample content, though--and the subscription price for a year is around $40!
I e-mailed them for info, though .. and asked for a sample copy (cheekie little devil, aren't I ... )
-- Pat
Anton Wernher
12-09-2002, 8:30 PM
TFH is one of the better american fish magazines I have read. Not only is the paper stock/printing of a high quality for a monthly magazine(very important I know) the articles seem to be more complete in there information and the aurthors seem to have good scientific backgrounds from what I remember. I pick it up every time I find it on newstands(its not available around here) which isn't very often.
Slappy*McFish
12-09-2002, 8:35 PM
http://www.fishlinkcentral.com/magazines/
NJ Devils Fan
12-09-2002, 8:48 PM
Thanks Cindy, next time I go to my local b&n, will look if they have it.
Z Man
12-09-2002, 11:42 PM
Since your name is Cichlid Woman, maybe you would be interested in a cichlid only magazine. Simply called "Cichlid News" at http://www.cichlidnewsmagazine.com
I agree with Wetman.
Practical Fishkeeping is a great magazine. A little harder to find, you can usually find it at Barnes and Noble. To get a subscription you have to contact a motorsports magazine published in Arkansas (I think), but it is well worth it.
I'm tired of AFM. If you've ever read their sister publication about birds, you'd see how poor AFM is. I've had a subscription for about two years to AFM and there is usually one article per issue and about two questions (other than Karen Randall's column, which is great) that offer me anything...
Val
JamisonBWolsh
12-10-2002, 10:09 AM
Why buy a magazine subscription, when you can get all your info on the net?
Anton Wernher
12-10-2002, 10:35 AM
Need something to read while in the "office" (lavatory)? :) Also the right printed material is usually better written and is authored by someone with credentials. The same reasons I buy books. However this is not say that online reading does not have its advantages as well.
JamisonBWolsh
12-10-2002, 10:40 AM
Just remember, because its printed in a magazine, does not give it 100 percent being correct. The people that author these articles are hobbiest just like you and me. The information is just as good if you get it off of a website that is trusted. Ex: www.planetcatfish.com www.fishbase.com
Anton Wernher
12-10-2002, 11:01 AM
Jamison,
I agree, read my post in this thread - http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=828 .
However a good magazine will usually have articles not by mere hobbiest but by professionals with a good scientific background. But again its good practice to be skeptical of every thing you read.
Well, first of all, reading for some of us, is a tactile thing. You cannot curl up with a laptop. I don't like staring at a screen, and it's hard to make notes on what you read.
As for the issue of reliability, there is bound to be more in a publication just because more people see the material before it is printed. I know editors who edit 7 hobbyist-type magazines and they take their job very seriously. The issue then becomes, does the editor know his/her stuff? Most do, I think.
Val
wetmanNY
12-10-2002, 1:11 PM
Some fairly zany stuff gets through in, say, F.A.M.A., where the "columnists" seem to have unchecked reign. Aquatic-Plants Digest here on-line (archived at www.thekrib.com ) has some posters with solid scientific credentials-- and they still get their knickers in a twist... the color of water in a white bucket was a famous one...
Cichlid Woman
12-10-2002, 4:51 PM
I hadn't thought of browsing at Barnes & Noble! We've got one here in town--that's a good idea.
I agree about the tactile thing in reading a magazine. I love the net, but occasionally want to lounge on the couch while reading, or just turn the pages.
... I want it ALL!!
-- Pat
clayt101
12-10-2002, 8:49 PM
While we're talking about magazines, I am looking for a copy of the August 1998 Tropical Fish Hobbyiest Magazine . Anyone have a copy?:D
fishypoo2
12-11-2002, 1:41 PM
Tropical Fish Monthly is all freshwater except for a monthly column on Saltwater topics.
1 year = $10 (USA)
tropicalfish48@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Ryan
Jeremy S
12-11-2002, 2:52 PM
Originally posted by TnCgal
I had to look up the subscription information but here it is if you are interested :
Tropical Fish Hobbyist
Subscription number : 888/859-9034
Fax : 888/508-5544
www.tfh.com
1 year (12 issues) = $28.00
2 years (24 issues) = 49.00
3 years (36 issues) = 65.00
Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or Discover
Canada and Mexico add $11 per year. Allow 4-6 weeks for subscription to start.
TFH magazine’s website is actually www.tfhmagazine.com
Cichlid Woman
12-11-2002, 7:37 PM
Thanks, that is indeed the correct site. And there's a button there to receive a free copy!!
-- Pat
TnCgal
12-11-2002, 9:19 PM
Thank you for the correction, Jeremy ! There are 2 sites that I had bookmarked, one for the publication division and one for the mag, and indeed the one you've provided is the one for the mag. Thanks again !
My understanding is that the January issue may not be on the shelves yet but if you can find it, I encourage you to get a copy of it. It's really an awesome publication.
I support the votes for Practical Fishkeeping. It's miles ahead of anything else available.
TFH isn't bad either, but I definately prefer Practical Fishkeeping.