Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium [Hardcover]

Nick Dakin (Author), Julian Sprung (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Easy-to-follow advice in a layout that makes specific topics easy to find. -- Pet Age 11/2003

Exhaustive guide... about creating virtual underwater habitats. -- Globe and Mail 11/22/2003

More than 500 stunning color photographs... simplifies the complexities of establishing and maintaining a marine aquarium... great reading. -- Pet Business Magazine 11/2003

Product Description

An encyclopedic reference for setting up, stocking, and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.

Nothing rivals the color and appeal of a saltwater aquarium. The Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium simplifies the complexities of setting-up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium.

The book illustrates and explains: - Specific characteristics of invertebrates and marine fish - Important differences between tropical and freshwater fish - Choosing a tank: advantages and disadvantages of glass and acrylic, different shapes, and critical construction details - Accessories such as aquarium heaters, lights, and filters - Water testing and maintaining the correct chemical balance

More than half of the book is a directory that covers species from 34 fish families. Details include their characteristics, natural environment, diet and feeding, size range, and aquarium behavior.

Coldwater aquariums are covered in a separate section that shows how to establish an artificial habitat for fish requiring temperate saltwater.

This full-color reference will appeal to saltwater tropical fish enthusiasts at any level.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552978176
• ISBN-13: 978-1552978177
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #585,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #49 in

  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Field Guides > Fish

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative for the beginner, January 25, 2005

By	S. Johnson (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium (Hardcover)

The book is very comprehensive on setup and maintenance but skimped a little on the technical information of the fishes, and didn't cover the extreme ranges of species available. Perfect for the beginner, but a little less advanced for the person looking to expand the hobby. All the basics are there, the photos are beautiful!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for someone starting the hobby, July 11, 2004

By	Steven A. Holst (Austin, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium (Hardcover)

This is a very good book for saltwater beginners and experts alike. The information on saltwater fish and invertebrates is very accurate and is essential to the success of a reef aquarium. The book also describes the steps of setting up a reef tank, along with maintenance and testing water parameters. I would highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice reference, January 9, 2007

By	nickels + pennies = dollars (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium (Hardcover)

When I bought this book I had already been in the sw hobby for six years, but for some reason I had to have this book. Needs to be updated, but it offers a great and broad foundation of the hobby. It is easy to read, and has awesome pictures. Also some of the species names were different from what I have seen in most other books. ???