5 comments about The Nano-Reef Handbook.

1. This book is an excellent place for beginners to start learning about keeping a nano-reef. It contains some good basic information about getting started and choosing livestock. Some topics are a little overdone but in my opinion that is better than too little information. If you have already been keeping a nano-reef for some time you will probably find one or two helpful things that you may not have known but for an experiended reefer who is looking to improve their skills I would look elsewhere. But once again if you are new to the hobby I recomend this book as an excellent starting place.



2. The seller that I bought this book was great..no problem there. However this was not the book I thought it would be. While lacking in some major areas the book seemed to "dumb itself down" for lack of better terms. People that are researching reef aquariums would be much better off if information was dumbed down for them. This causes confusion in general. The book while helpful on some points lacked any real "meat" to say the least. If I was going on a point system 1-5 I'd rate it about a 2.



3. all the information that yo need to a succesfull start with nano reef's



4. this book was only helpful to me when selecting which fish I would put in my nano reef aquarium. other than that it was a waste of time. way too much unnecessary information.



5. A "nano-reef" is an aquarium that is less than 15 gallons in total volume and houses reef organisms -- and especially suited for a home, office, or classroom. An aquarium hobbyist for more than 25 years, Christopher Brightwell draws upon his experience and expertise in The Nano-Reef Handbook to provide aspiring aquarium developers with a comprehensive, "user friendly" instructional guide to creating and maintaining their nano-reef aquarium including such factors as filtration, lighting, temperature control, water chemistry, and identifying more than thirty of the most highly recommended fishes and invertebrates for placement into their nano-reef aquarium. Whether a novice or seasoned aquarium enthusiast, The Nano-Reef Handbook will prove to be of exceptional interest, especially with respect to increasing the probability of success through suggested routine maintenance and sensible stock levels, creating a balanced system throughout the entire nano-reef habitat. Anyone considering establishing their own aquarium nano-reef should give Christopher Brightwell's strongly recommended The Nano-Reef Handbook a very careful reading.

5 comments about Clownfishes.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. This reads well and has great background on breeding clownfishes. It gives you the right level of detail to understand what you will have to do to be successful. I have been breeding clownfish with this and another book as my guides and this is the better one of the two. The other is more detailed but so scientific it is confusing. This one is reasonable as a resource. I have an M.A. in aquatic botany so I understand jargon, but breeding fish is a practical activity for many of us, not a scientific research endeavor. You'll like this as a resource if breeding these interesting fish.
   
   Good luck
   
   Tim



4. Of the many books i got, this is by far the most detailed. Also because it focuses on one kind of fish i guess.
   pretty detailed info is available on the various clownfish types, some of the behaviours are also listed to understand your pet a little better.
   
   not a book focussed on filling pages for sure. however, a bit more was expected for detailed trouble shooting issues concerned to behaviours.
   
   overall a nice book if you want to get to know your clown or the anemones.



5. If you're interested in keeping clownfish, this is the perfect book. The author goes into appropriate detail on what is needed to keep clownfish, what kinds of anemones can be kept with them (and their requirements), and how to breed them if you're so inclined. I found the book very easy to understand and not overly burdened with scientific and technical language. I also thought she had a very funny sense of humor that is sprinkled throughout. The pictures are great and she's actually had experience with most species in captivity and is able to make careful distictions to specific characteristics or needs of the different species. Some things I found especially helpful were the chapter on clownfish nutrition (she's really done her homework on that) and the common sense approaches to copepod cultivation for feeding baby clownfish. A great book for those keeping clownfish, even if you're not interested in breeding them.

5 comments about Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature.

1. Outstanding book. It helped me visualize the design and layout of my aquarium. An excellent resource for beginners or pros.



2. This book give you more of an idear of setting up aquariums for specific bio types or areas with certain fish and plants. Very good if you want to set up and aquarium with plants and fish and dont quite know where to start and what to do. Even for experienced people you still can learn somthing form this book. Not a stand alone book but partnered with a couple of others is a very good referance .



3. Is java fern found in an Australian river, I don't think so. This book is not accurate!
   All of the aquarium displays are not even mature, probably because most of the plants would be quite unhealthy by the time the display is mature enough to photograph, very unprofessional!
   Another example: there are no mangroves in the mangrove swamp design, Hygrophila corymbosa was used instead with the author stating it is a good substitute for mangroves, what the, right up until the brackish water kills it! What's almost as worse is that the heater is not even hidden in the aquarium background.



4. As an experienced fishkeeper, I can't say I learned a lot from this book. However, I think it is an excellent overall reference for hobbyists above a beginner's level. The pictures are just gorgeous! Each of the 200 pages has at least one or two photos. You will definitely be inspired! The biotopte profiles are in-depth enough, but I feel Hiscock could have better explained how to actually assemble some of the tank features--namely the Chinese Stream waterfall. Although some of the plant types listed do not always "go" with the specified biotope, the finished product looks great and could be easily modified for the purists out there. The only complaint I have is that most of the designs are intended for large tanks. I think you could probably scale down some of the designs, but they might not have the same impact. Regardless, this is a great book for the money!



5. Given the glowing reviews I read on this site, I was somewhat disappointed with the book when it finally arrived. The general information is fine, as far as it goes, if on a rather basic level. I guess what annoyed me most was that the author makes only a half-hearted effort to use plants indigenous to the various biotopes he describes--for example, Anubias, an African genus, finds its way into the Amazon acid pool. Also, the lists of appropriate fishes are fairly sketchy. And maybe I'm alone in this, but I found it odd that none of the finished biotope aquaria are photographed with fish in them!
   
   What I was hoping for was information on a par with that provided on the Italian website www.natureaquarium.it; this book, while pleasant enough, doesn't begin to reach that level of sophistication or specificity.

5 comments about Discus Fish (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. Very good starting point for raising discus.Well laid out, easy read, good value. I have two other books by Degen but this is the one i keep picking up to browse.



2. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK MANY YEARS AGO AND WENT TO BUY IT AGAIN AND ENDED UP WITH THE LATEST EDITION. THE LATEST EDITION IS MISSING ALOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT THIS BOOK HAS. IF YOU ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF DISCUS FISH THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. THE NEW EDITION HAS BETTER PICTURES BUT THAT IS WHERE IT ENDS. BUY THIS BOOK



3. A good book for the beginning to think about keeping Discus. It provided enough information for me to make the decision to give it a try. Two years later, I still have 4 of my orgininal 6 dicus purchased, so I think it helped get me on the right track. Other books can be had with more detailed information on discus if your intent is to keep many of them and even trying your hand at breeding them.



4. Did not appreciate a book from a library. Will be contacting the library is see if book was stolen!!!!!



5. So far, one of the best books I have read for a beginner just like me. It is easy to read and very informative, though it may come short on some subjects.

3 comments about Koi: A Handbook on Keeping Nishikigoi.

1. For centuries koi fish have been a popular hobby, especially in Japan and in the West more recently: now beginners can learn their special needs with KOI: A HANDBOOK ON KEEPING NISHIKIGOI. The authors are experienced koi-keepers and provide all the basics in an easy, logical progression of tips perfect for general interest lending libraries strong in pet references. Chapters cover the natural history of koi and koi varieties and move into building ponds, keeping koi, and even showing koi. Packed with color photos, this is a guide any aspiring koi-keeper needs.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. I have been keeping koi for a number of years but am just getting organised as a more enthusiastic koi keeper. This book filled a void in my library by providing honest, accurate advice from a dedicated koi breeder/keeper who is not reluctant to share his 'secrets'. A definite must read for any koi enthusiast, from beginner to seasoned breeder.



3. I have a good-sized collection of books on Koi and Koi keeping. I've also paid four times the price of this book and gotten less than a third of the information it contains.
   
   What I really like about the book is the authors' clear and concise approach to what can be a rather complex subject. They keep it simple and easy to understand, while letting you know that the hobby has deep roots in Japanese culture. The more you learn, the more you will want to know.
   
   There is good, solid information on starting a collection, including what to look for when selecting individual Koi. The pictures are very good, the colors reproduced quite well. You will learn that you aren't just looking for "pretty fish," you are investing in the future.
   
   I was looking for a good book to direct people to when they ask me what they should read. (I get asked about this a lot, as I've been in the hobby for more than 10 years.) This book not only gives a good overview of the hobby, but also provides a great deal of definitive information on just what it is that should be appreciated about Koi, what makes one a "garden pond" fish, and another a "show quality Koi."
   
   All books have at least one failing. In this book, it was the in the translation. In the section on Water Quality, where dissolved oxygen was discussed, a word that should have been translated as "venturi," was mistranslated as "flowmeter." This mistake was repeated several times in that chapter. A picture of a venturi in operation made it obvious to me what was meant. Perhaps it can be corrected in a future edition of the book.
   
   That aside, I think this book offers a great deal, even when compared to others that cost much more. A good start for those collecting Koi, or collecting books on Koi. You could certainly spend more on such a book, but you'd be hard pressed to get more for what you'll spend on this one.

4 comments about The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium.

1. This is a very good book for those who are starting out fresh in the marine hobby. Lots of pictures and references to help you out.



2. Well, I must admit, this book has great photos regarding fishes but little on corals. They have talked little regarding the equipments set ups. They aren't many species included in this book but the common ones are there. If you are looking for a book with great pics on fishes, then this would be the one for you. If you are looking for a reef aquarium manual then this is not for you.



3. I have been in the aquariast hobby for quite a few years. Though I haven't had a tank set-up for almost 10 years since retiring from the US Navy and moving from Va. to Ga. I decided for the sake of the fish in my 150 gal tank it was best left behind in the care of my neighbor and best friend JD. I am now in the research and planning stages of setting up a 250 gal. reef tank. Since so much has happened in the last 10 years I felt it was wise to get some reading material for varied opinions and fact gathering. I now have 5 reference volumes to refer to. This book by Vince is not only a beautiful book with outstanding pictures but is my favorite. Crammed with every possible aspect of this hobby. From beginner to advanced the info is superb. In fact a Newbie could take this book as a stand alone reference from your very first Marine Fish only tank to an explosively beautiful Reef with Fish, Inverts, and Corals. It gives info on all the types of filtration from the Jaubert System,(My Favorite), to the extreme hi-tech route..Plan on spending major bucks if you go the hi-tech route. in my opinion the Jaubert System is as close to natural as you can get and the results I have seen from those using it match if not excel over much more expensive set-ups, but hey, back to the book. Every possible life form is fully described in easy to understand detail, inhabitant compatibility, location of origin, feeding, disease care, all of it. The way it is organized makes it superior for that "gotta have info right now" scenario when one of your prized specimens needs immediate attention. Though the diseases coverage is brief it is concise and easy to follow. This book is now among 2 that sit out on my coffee table. It gets read or at least browsed through alot by my visiting friends. Kids love the pictures. I highly recommend it for anyone from beginner to advanced. You can find higher priced books but non better. It's great buy at twice the price.



4. I have positively oodles of books on fish behavior, diversity and ecology. When I brought this book home the wife asked "why do you need another fish book?" I will tell you like I told her.

   This is the best book I have seen on the fishes commonly found in the aquarium industry. The fishes are arranged according to systematic (evolutionary) relationships, so it is in a format that is familiar to me, and more useful to people that are not already familiar with fish groups. Organization, however, is a minor part of a book. But the information in this book is also top notch. There is important information on hundreds of species referencing, feeding, care, availability and compatibility that is important when considering an addition to your salt water aquarium. There are also excellent sections on general aquarium keeping and reef inverts. This makes this a must have for any hobbyist. Lastly this is also a VERY attractive book, it now gets to be in the living room (near the aquarium where it should be) instead of in my library.

   I didn't use those exact words with the wife, but you get the picture. If you're looking for a book on salt water aquarium fishes this is a great choice. Hopefully amazon will begin carrying it soon.

2 comments about Betta: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I bought this book at a PetCo that was going out of business, this was after having owned my own fish. I had a Betta before, and had done a lot of research online, so I thought I knew what I was doing. When I started reading this book in the store I realized that this was a lot more complete and thorough than the hundreds of articles I read online. This books gives consistent advice, and covers such a large range of information. The advice Tullock gives is logical and great. I definitely recommend this book for all, especially for such a decent price!



2. We "adopted" our very first Betta fish, Ray, last July. We just love him but weren't sure if we were taking care of him properly. This book was wonderful and so very helpful. It is easy to understand and separated so that your questions can be answered quickly. A must for all parents of Bettas!

1 comments about The 101 Best Saltwater Fishes: How to Choose & Keep Hardy, Brilliant, Fascinating Species That Will Thrive in Your Home Aquarium (Adventurous Aquarist Guides).

1. This book provides many pictures and descriptions of various saltwater fish that are easier to keep and maintain. The book also provides a list of fish not suitable for most aquarists. There is a problem shoot guide in the back of the book as well as tips for maintaing a healthy saltwater aquarium.

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

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.)

3 comments about Manual of Koi Health.

1. This little book is the best reference I've found for the amateur koi keeper. Specifically, it not only talks about Koi health, the diseases they get, and the medications that may help; but it provides you with excellent photos of these little critters that can decimate your pond. With this book and a beginer's microscope I have been able to diagnose many problems and save my fish. I just bought four more copies to have ready for newcomers to our Koi Club this spring when we will once again start receiving calls from distraught pond keepers.



2. The book was well thought out as far as content. The author spoke to the reader taking into account that the reader might be a novice koi keeper



3. This is a fantastic book for anyone needing tips on keeping the environment their koi live in heathy and free of disease. This book is very easy to understand and has many photos to help you better understand what you are reading. Everything is well photographed with excellent instruction on identifying, prevention and the treatment of diseases. When the photography was not good enough, then wonderful and highly detailed illustrations were used.
   The text is straight forward with little jargon so that it is easy to understand for even a non-fish person like me. This is a great book for anyone interested in going to the next level with their pond.