Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freshwater Aquariums

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If only I had bought this book a few weeks earlier. I am a newcomer to this fishkeeping business and set up my first aquarium (125 gal.) with the help of some "expert" friends who have been doing this for years. I expected to lose some of my first fish during the "break in cycle", but did they all have to be the really expensive ones? If I would have had Mike's book beforehand, not only would I have saved myself some serious money, but my new-found fish friends would have been much happier too!

Thanks to Mike Wickham for writing a book that is concise, easy to read, extremely informative and simple to understand and apply (not to mention being humorous along the way). It covers a wide range of topics; from equipment selection to water chemistry to fish diseases, to mention just a few. It provides you with enough information so that you can comfortably select exactly what will work best for your individual needs.

With his help, even the beginning idiot (like me) can create and maintian a healthy and beautiful environment for our new aquatic family.

This book should be read by amateur aquariasts. Wickham begins with a discussion of the benefits of owning an aquarium, from aesthetics to environmental preservation. He then covers in detail the procedure for setting up an aquarium. It includes selecting a tank, choosing gravel, thermometers, lighting, etc. The third part of the book covers those aquatic plants and animals (fishes, arthropods, etc.) that are suitable for the beginner. He even gives advice on the proper transportation of aquatic plants and animals. Part four discusses proper maintenance of the aquarium's equipment and water. Wickham even divides these procedures into daily, weekly, bimonthly, and monthly routines. Part five discusses disease, algae, and other dangers that threaten plants and animals. Wickham concludes with an appendix of additional resources for the aquarium enthusiast.

Overall, I am very impressed with this book. It will be reread and referenced often as I progress in my hobby of maintaining a freshwater aquarium.

In starting in the aquarium hobby, a friend suggested I read what he called "A really good book for beginners." Well, before I bought a thing, I read the entire book, each and every page. It turned out that I could correct problems before they became problems! Now that I have owned my aquarium for two years and have become more experienced, I suggest this book to others. If I were to own only one book about aquariums and fish, this would definately be it! Thanks to Mike for this interesting and easy to understand book... I flew through it and learned something new with each page!

if you are inexperienced with aquariums, you must purchase this book before you do ANYHTING! The author doesn't load you down with fish-geek formula...instead, he brings you through practical steps of setting up an aquarium, and explains the logic behind them. He explains how to care for your tank, what products are best, etc., etc...i would have done everything wrong without this book! Again, it is a must that you own this book if you are a beginner in this hobby...thanks Mike.

I have had a fish tank for 3 years. I also have bought 4 books on keeping fish. This book was the easiest read. The humor makes all the facts and figures easy to understand and digest. It covers all the major topics. I learned more from this book than the other 4 books combined. I would highly recommend it.

WOW! This book was ESSENTIAL to our successful (and fun) entry into the world of fish and aquariums. Great tips, easy to follow directions and explanations of "what, why, when and why NOT", written in a funny (if somewhat corny) manner, this book is easy and fun to read. I actually found myself taking it on a trip - and trust me, I have NEVER taken a reference book on vacation unless I was expecting to work on vacation. So, this book gets five stars. Buy it used if you have to do so (we did). We bought five different aquarium books, and this one was the best, and we refer back to it often.

The author is definitely a nut--just look at his photo on the back. But HE KNOWS HIS STUFF.

Don't believe me? Read the reviews of "Aquariums for Dummies" and see what experienced fishkeepers and hobbyists have to say about that book. Now look what we have to say about THIS book.

This book will not lead you astray. It will answer all of the questions you have in the first year of becomming addicted to the fishkeeping hobby, should that be your destiny. Aquarium stores should keep this book in stock and offer it as a package deal with new set-ups. I discovered this book only after I spent a year harassing my local fish store with question upon question. They got their revenge by hiring me 2 years later. I've recommended this book to customers several times.

The author is right on target with everything. He writes in plain, no-nonsense language that anyone can understand. The book is very helpful and covers the entire process of setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium. Note that this book is primarily targeted at people who have never had an aquarium before. Even though the language is geared toward the "beginner" I still have learned alot and quite enjoyed the book. The only area I would take issue with is his continued suggestion to deal with experienced aquarium dealers. Maybe since he is one himself. This might be preferrable when buying livestock but is definitely a mistake when buying equipment such as filters, pumps, etc. Retail stores are much more expensive to buy from than on the Internet. While a beginner would benefit from a dealer's advice the novice should read up first and then buy on-line. Even with shipping and handling I save over 50% minimum compared to retail stores. Forget the fish dealer. Anyway I highly recommend this book to the beginner and anyone else. You can never have enough fish information and this book is a pleasure to read.

Even though I am not a profesional fish keeper, but through reading the whole book I got all the knowlege that I need to keep my fish profesionally! I love the book. I can always find answer out of the book. The whole chapter donated to the water chemistry really help me out. I love the book! I also got the idiot's guide for Saltwater aqarium!

The author has a lively and enjoyable way of expressing everything that makes you finish the book in no time. I bought this book recently prior to setting out to purchase my first aquarium and I can now say it was the best thing I could have done! This is an excellent book for a novice, and covers everything from the considerations that go into buying an aquarium to the care and maintenance that come later. It helps you choose the type of the aquarium, the filter, heater etc as well as recommending easy, beginner fish and plants to choose from, and much, much more...