Customer Reviews

Algae: A Problem Solver Guide (Oceanographic Series)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a decent guide to various types of algae. If you have an algae bloom this book is very handy. It tells you what types are good and what types are bad. It also tells you how to keep the bad types in check.

This book breaks down algae into groups, tells you the good, the bad and the ugly, and how to deal with it. It caught my eye searching for info on refugium filters and I'm very pleased with it. Even if you don't plan to use an algal filtration system you should own it, because you will have algae in your aquarium almost immediately so why not be prepared. Not all algae is bad and after you read this book you'll be able to identify the ones you want to get rid of. Although, the author does like to use very large words, so get your dictionary out, it is still readable. It's not a very big book and gets straight to the point without "opinions or stories" and it doesn't have a hefty price tag either.

If the reader cannot find a way to rid the algae problem from the tank(s) they have after consulting this book, they should likely not be aquarium owners. I maintain five different large tanks with various conditions, both freshwater and saltwater, and I am constantly being asked how do I keep the tanks cleaned of algae...I always refer them to this book! A must buy for any beginner aquarist, or the more seasoned aquarist who just can't get a grip on things!

I found this book to have more information on algae than anything else I've ever read. The only possible downside is that it is written like a scientific text book, with all the latin names and biological details. If you don't know anything about marine biology or biology in general, you may have a hard time understanding most of this book, but it will still tell you how to get rid of any kind of algae you may come across in your marine aquarium. I found the book to be very accurate, but Julian Sprung is a big name in Marine Biology, so I already expected that. Bottom line, if your having algae problems, get this book.

Sprung approaches the topic of algae from an academic and scientific perspective. Without any ceremony, he jumps right in to the physiology and ecology of marine algae. His language is academic to the core, his style is laced with dry professorial humor, and he assumes that his readers have at least a basic grounding in cell biology (advanced high school or introductory college level).

As others have noted, the subtitle "A Problem Solver's Guide" is a bit misleading. While Sprung does offer a significant number of concrete suggestions for managing algae in a marine aquarium, he devotes the bulk of the book to classification, physiology and ecology. Some readers will find this treatment refreshing because it provides a solid theoretical foundation for experimentation. Others will wish for more practical advice.

I experiment with low-tech freshwater aquariums and picked this book up hoping that it would help me to understand some of the algae patterns I had observed over the last couple of years. The book turned out to be too focused on marine ecosystems (high pH, high specific gravity, different trace element mix, different microfauna) to be of real value to me. It's now sitting on my book shelf next to Bob Fenner's -Conscientious Marine Aquarist- in preparation for starting a low-tech FOWLR tank some day. For now, my best resource remains Diana Walstad's -Ecology of the Planted Aquarium-.

For marine aquarium Reef Keepers this is a very useful reference to identify and control nuisance algae blooms!

this is a good primmer for somone starting a new tank, or just as good 'ole reference material. this does not necessarly give any 'new' solutions, but does reinforce the classic, water changes, manual removal, etc.

a good basic overview of the different types of algae and how to deal with them..It could have spent a little more time on differentiating between algae and cyanobacteria and specific invertebrates and vertebrates that will eat them..but all in all this is a good *little* book.

As a professional aquarium maintenance professional, I have found this book an invaluable tool in controlling algea in salt water/reef tanks.

Not as informative as hoped, talks alot about moleculer structures and such although very little preventive maintenance topics. Shop around!!