I've read about some of the Amano books and it seems these are good for photos but not information on how to do it.
Can anyone recommend an excellent up-to-date book for setting up a 90g tank? Thanks.
anonapersona
10-31-2003, 4:56 PM
I just picked up The Natural Aquarium by Satoshi Yoshino and Doshin Kobayashi at a 75% off Bookstore -- for $5.
It has nice color photos with accompanying line drawings so you can ID the actual plants and plot plans so you can see how they are planted. 128 pages, lots of color, lots of text.
Lots of discussion of details; planting depths of certain plants, how to trim others, why certain fish are selected or not for each sort of layout. A lot of philosophy of what and why, a lot of how, also.
Not much detail on current hardware choices, good since things will change so rapidly, this is a 1996 edition. For current details on hardware you are much better off with online forums. Research on the forums mentioned, as well as here, and then start asking your specific questions.
Once you define your style (this book will help), the fish you want to keep, the plants you'd like to have, then the hardware and other details are easier to select.
If you want a book that helps you with the "high-tech" part, I don't think it exists, things change too rapidly and the market for such is too limited. If you read Japanese or German that might not be the case, I suspect the books exist in those countries, geared to the local manufacturers, of course.
One thing that you will need to come to terms with, is that there is no "Right" way to do this. Your water, your fish, your plants, you time and dedication will affect the outcome so much, that no one can tell you to do this, this, and this, and guarantee success. You wil buy a lot of stuff that isn't right for your needs and then buy more. Then when that all works out, your needs will change, or the power fails or your tanks leaks and you have to begin again.