The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums [Paperback]

Mark W. Martin (Author), Ret Talbot (Author), Karen Talbot (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009 | Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide

An undersea kingdom in the comfort of one?s own home?includes CD- ROM!

The Complete Idiot?s Guide® to Saltwater Aquariums offers nearly 1000 descriptions and pictures of marine fishes, corals, plants, and invertebrates among sixty family groupings on an easy-to-use cross-referenced CD-ROM. Presented in straightforward, readable text focused on the best species to consider, compatibility guidelines, general care recommendations, and what to do if things go wrong, this indispensable volume answers questions for both the novice and the experienced saltwater aquarium enthusiast.

?CD-ROM with nearly 1000 beautiful color pictures of marine fishes, all accompanied by clear, easy-to-understand text.

?Features tips on how to acclimatize to avoid harming the animals and advice on treating disease and problem-solving

?Includes information about filters, sumps, re­fugiums, calcium reactors, sterilizers, ozoniers, plumbing, lighting, and water

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark W. Martin is director of marine ornamental research and the founder and co-owner of Blue Zoo Aquatics in Los Angeles. Ret Talbot is an award-winning writer who frequently covers the marine aquarium trade.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 Pap/Com edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592578268
• ISBN-13: 978-1592578269
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Fish & Aquariums

More About the Author

Ret Talbot is an award-winning writer and photojournalist with nearly 20 years of experience covering stories from some of the more remote corners of the globe. From the icy summits of the Andes to the reefs of Papua New Guinea, his assignments have taken him off the beaten track and put his readers face-to-face with stories of adventure, new ideas and innovative approaches to commonplace issues.

A graduate of the prestigious writing programs at both Wheaton College and the University of St. Andrews, Talbot launched his career balancing work as a mountaineering and fly-fishing guide, freelance writer and English teacher. His articles appeared in publications such as Outdoor Sports, Rock & Ice, Fly Fisherman, Shallow Water Angler, and American Whitewater. While not in a river, on a glacier or at the head of a classroom, Talbot traveled extensively lecturing on his own expeditions to places like North Africa, Alaska, Norway, Ecuador, and Peru.

Since 2007, Talbot has worked as a fulltime freelance writer and photographer, penning stories for magazines and working on book-length projects. His most recent work has focused on marine ecosystems and the myriad interactions between humans and those ecosystems. From the artisanal fisheries of Pacific Islanders to the heavily politicized commercial fisheries of Hawaii, Talbot has spent much of the last year interviewing fishermen, politicians, scientists, environmentalists, and other fisheries stakeholders about the concept of sustainability.

Talbot frequently reports on the marine aquarium trade, and his articles can be found in a variety of trade publications. His aquarium-related books include The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums (September 2009) and Coral (forthcoming). He is a senior editor at CORAL Magazine, where he is currently working on a multi-year series of articles focused on sustainability and marine aquarium fisheries. Reporting from places as disparate as remote island nations across the Indo-Pacific and the massive import and wholesale facilities at Los Angeles International Airport, Talbot's series of articles in CORAL have established the marine aquarium fishery as a microcosm for the complexities of international trade, socio-economic development and environmental conservation.

Ret and his wife Karen, an artist known for her fish paintings, split their time between Laguna Beach, California and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh O2 in the World of H2O!, June 23, 2010

By 

Anne D. "where's the next chapter!?!" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums (Paperback)

This book is really a breath of fresh air in an industry of VERY stifling books! While not a colorful book, this is well written in a descriptive and easy way that renders it far more enjoyable and informative than half the other books that have first rate photos and "appear" to contain more information. I was looking for a book that would cover everything from inception to enjoyment with starting a salt water aquarium, and this book fit the bill. It also includes many up-to-date aquarium methods that other "guides" such as the Dummy's book don't offer, such as creating a refugium in the place of bio balls. For those of you who might have thought you were a "Dummy" in this hobby, please decide to be an "Idiot" instead!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning guide for aquarium owners and any pet library, March 18, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums (Paperback)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums offers a fine guide to saltwater aquariums and packs in details on filters, pumps, and selecting creatures for the aquarium. From which species to consider when stocking a tank to building a healthy eco-system and treating diseases, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums is a winning guide for aquarium owners and any pet library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Idiot's Guide for Saltwater Aquariums, July 31, 2011

By 

Daniel M. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums (Paperback)

I purchased at least 4 other books before i found this one. This one goes over all the details enough to get started. I still refer to it at least bi-weekly.