i am new to this hobby and in need of a good book that will explain the basics of reef keeping and reef equipment. on Reef Central home page there is a link to "RC books" (i think thats how it reads), has anyone read any of the biggener books? i don't get the chance to read that much so i want to get the best one available, any opinions would be great thanks!:rollface:
buying books through reef central
- Thread starter 4jlong
- Start date
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
I can't say that I've read many books so far -- Two really. But the one that seemed like it was tailored for the beginner that I liked was "Simple Guide to Mini-Reef Aquariums" by Jeff Kurtz. I ripped through it pretty quick -- Which sounds like what you're looking for. Most of what he said seemed to fit in with the info I found on forums etc. From what I can tell it was also thorough enough to give you enough info to take the next step.
You're welcome to my copy of it.
You're welcome to my copy of it.
sumyungviet
New member
i found that alot of the books i looked at, were 'out of date' comapared to the ideas talked about on this and other forums. On the home page of Reef Central, on the left side is a section i think is called FAQ [frequently asked questions] with good articles on getting started in this hobby.
Larry
Larry
Justin74
New member
My second book was The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists and really consider it my first book. Great humor interesting facts and a real crash course to what this hobbies all about in my opinion. Other great books to follow up would by A. Calfo's Book of Coral Propagation and E. Borneman's Aquarium Corals.
-Justin
-Justin
MandM
sick yet brilliant
I agree with Justin, the Bob Fenner book, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is a great book. The $40 you spend on it will save you far more in wasted purchases down the road. In addition, Reef Invertebrates by Bob Fenner and Anthony Calfo is great. Specific to fish, there are a couple by Scott Michael that give a great guide to good and bad choices for reef or fish-only tanks.
dots
Premium Member
One of these days I am going to break down and buy these
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=BKCOTW
Makes Identification of a whole lot less difficult.
Only problem is my spare cash always goes into buying a new coral instead.......one of these days.....
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=BKCOTW
Makes Identification of a whole lot less difficult.
Only problem is my spare cash always goes into buying a new coral instead.......one of these days.....
Justin74
New member
dots
Premium Member
So just to give you a good chuckle Justin, cuz I know you love laughing at me so much I will tell you what just occured on my end.
"Oh sweet, looks like another cheaper place to get them......sweet comes with a CD.....OK how much is this, must be a better deal........whats this $A121 and $A60.50 stuff? Must be the product number..........how long does it take to get it, must be a catch? 16-24weeks......what the? $160 to ship? your killing me!! Oh freakin Australian dollars, thats what the "A" is for.......to let morons like me know it not U.S. currency."
$1 Koala dollar = 0.774599 USD
Student combo(book and CD) price direct = $160.00 USD+ 16-24weeks?
Marine depot price (book only?) = $129.90 USD+3-5days
Unless Im still clueless?......So I guess the answer is no I didn't know about that one, am I still missing something?
"Oh sweet, looks like another cheaper place to get them......sweet comes with a CD.....OK how much is this, must be a better deal........whats this $A121 and $A60.50 stuff? Must be the product number..........how long does it take to get it, must be a catch? 16-24weeks......what the? $160 to ship? your killing me!! Oh freakin Australian dollars, thats what the "A" is for.......to let morons like me know it not U.S. currency."
$1 Koala dollar = 0.774599 USD
Student combo(book and CD) price direct = $160.00 USD+ 16-24weeks?
Marine depot price (book only?) = $129.90 USD+3-5days
Unless Im still clueless?......So I guess the answer is no I didn't know about that one, am I still missing something?
Last edited:
Justin74
New member
Couple months back Eric Borneman was booked by the club and did a nice presentation on coral identification. The CD helps biologists and enthusiasts like us break down through systematic checks and balances to identify down to the genus level, specie if your lucky. Which once one comprehends whats envolved in doing so, you begin to realize at what a true feat it is to do so. Basically an awesome tool for people like me that eat that stuff up! Interactively brings Veron's book and working knowledge to your tank or whatever else you may be looking at.
-Justin
-Justin
dots
Premium Member
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/coralid_search.php
I use this alot, but want the nice glossy books.
Im getting halfway decient at guessing acro types, and can usually narrow it down between a few on the most common, but as you can see there are a ton and would like to eventually be able to id them positivly. But, with morphology and small examples that makes it all the more difficult......just another reason why I like SPS......
To positivly id acros though, it has been said you need the skeleton to be sure by examining the structure of it.
I totaly agree with you Justin, knowing what you have and where it comes from may give one insight on how to care for it.....
I use this alot, but want the nice glossy books.
Im getting halfway decient at guessing acro types, and can usually narrow it down between a few on the most common, but as you can see there are a ton and would like to eventually be able to id them positivly. But, with morphology and small examples that makes it all the more difficult......just another reason why I like SPS......
To positivly id acros though, it has been said you need the skeleton to be sure by examining the structure of it.
I totaly agree with you Justin, knowing what you have and where it comes from may give one insight on how to care for it.....
Justin74
New member
Skeleton samples are pretty much needed with everything actually. Youd be amazed at what weve all come to know in regards to some corals is actually a mass aknowledgement and confirmation of misinformation. Finger leathers? Forget about it, those are the perfect examples of what Im talking about. You actually have to disolve them to get there skeletal sclerites to identify and that comes with a long checks and cross reference too! And if it doesnt have a skeleton....Happy guessing 
-Justin
-Justin
racrumrine
New member
On the BAR forum, someone recently offered up the 3 volume set for $80. A screaming deal that was quicky replied to.
I already have the 3 volume set; but, I always wanted the CD as well. As far as I know, you have to get the CD directly from Australia.
Would anyone be interested in a mini group buy for the CD? Perhaps we can get a good price break if we buy in bulk and I'm sure we'd save a lot in shipping.
Regarding your first question, in addition to Fenner's book, my favorite beginner book is Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087009/reeflink
Best of luck,
Roy
I already have the 3 volume set; but, I always wanted the CD as well. As far as I know, you have to get the CD directly from Australia.
Would anyone be interested in a mini group buy for the CD? Perhaps we can get a good price break if we buy in bulk and I'm sure we'd save a lot in shipping.
Regarding your first question, in addition to Fenner's book, my favorite beginner book is Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087009/reeflink
Best of luck,
Roy
If you want to get into deep indenification, look into this book. It's the next step above the Veron set I'll bring it to the swap if yo'd like to give it a whirl.
Staghorn Corals of the World
A Revision of the Genus Acropora
By Carden Wallace Museum of Tropical Queensland
http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/2187.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0643063919
I'll bring it to the swap if yo'd like to give it a whirl.
Staghorn Corals of the World
A Revision of the Genus Acropora
By Carden Wallace Museum of Tropical Queensland
http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/2187.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0643063919
racrumrine
New member
Gresham:
Do you like the CD that comes with that book? Can you buy the CD separately?
Regards,
Roy
Do you like the CD that comes with that book? Can you buy the CD separately?
Regards,
Roy
Fragmented
New member
If you're only going to have one book, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist would be the one. Of course, like the rest of us you won't be able to stop at one. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is a wonderful way to start your collection. My next choice would be Coral by Eric Borneman if you aren't a fish only person.
Good luck, and happy reading!
Good luck, and happy reading!
