I would like your advice

[alkamar]

I decided to post this here since I would prefer to get advice from people with experience and you guys also live in my area. Once I get some knowledge, I may end up joining your club.

I am planning on buying a couple of saltwater books and would like to know what my two best choices would be if I am going to start out Fish Only Live Rock. I am good at keeping freshwater parameters in check and would love to get a large salt setup. If I am good, then I may later decide to go with a reef. I have seen good reviews for the following 2 books, but I do want the ones that would benefit me most and have up to date technology.

"A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" by Scott W. Michael

"The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide" by Michael S. Paletta

Do you know of 2 better choices to get me up to speed on the latest and best practices in saltwater? I currently have the Baensch Aquarium Atlas for freshwater and know that a salt series is also available. Would these be better? I appreciate your input.

 

[Rendos]

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist - Fenner would be on the list.
Reef Aquarium Vol. 3 by Sprung and Delbeek is the most up to date as far as equipment goes.

 

[luckyarbuc]

I agree, I have The Reef Aquarium Volume three and I have always found the answer I am looking for in this book. I am a rookie too and this book has been a fantastic reference guide for me.

Robert

 

[Codeman00]

I liked the Conscientious Marine Aquarist also....and the New Marine Aquarium..step by step. With those two, you should be set.

 

[willember]

Re: I would like your advice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11634374#post11634374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alkamar
If I am good, then I may later decide to go with a reef.

if you are starting with FowLR solely to see if you are 'good' enough to keep corals, I would suggest setting up your aquarium just as you would for a reef tank. (maybe except for the lighting) It will save you some time/headache/money in the long run. Also, research fish compatibility w/ Corals so you don't have a tank full of non-reefsafe fish when you decide to start adding invertebrates. I found this website to be as or more helpful than just about every book I picked up. (If you can sift through the BS and deal with the differences of opinions. i.e. Barebottom v. Shallow Sand Bed v. Deep Sand Bed)
That said, I would recommend 'Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History' by Eric Borneman.

 

[alkamar]

Thank you for your advice

Thank you for your advice

I just got back from taking the family to Nashville today. While we were there, I stopped in at Emerald Bay and the Aquatic Critter. After we all looked at a wide selection of corals for the first time, there is no way I can do fish only. At both places, they said the T5 light setup would be good enough for soft corals. So if I take out the cost of Metal Halide, then it looks like I will be more likely to afford the lighting in the future. I will have to save up to get all this, though.