Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants [Hardcover]

Peter Hiscock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

This heavily illustrated volume will prove a blessing to every aquarium hobbyist who has had to settle for superficial plant descriptions in general fish-keeping books. It presents a detailed A-to-Z directory covering hundreds of aquarium plants with high quality color photos and succinct profiles of each plant. Information includes the plant's common name, botanical designation, growth cycle, and general description. The book's additional sections offer details on how to grow and propagate aquatic plants, and how to protect them from parasites and other problems. This handsome volume features approximately 450 color photos and illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The natural biology of plants * Water quality and filtration * Choosing substrates * Selecting plants * Planting techniques * Lighting * Feeding * Propagation * Essential maintenance * Aquascaping * Populating with fish

A complete guide to more than 150 popular aquarium plants

Fully illustrated with more than 250 color photos and graphics

About the Author

Peter Hiscock trained at Sparsholt College in Hampshire, one of the U.K.'s leading schools for aquatic studies. He has published widely on fish behavior and aquarium keeping. Among his other books published in North America by Barron's are A Practical Guide to Choosing Aquarium Plants and A Practical Guide to Creating and Maintaining Water Quality.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764155210
• ISBN-13: 978-0764155215
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary
  • #14 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Fish & Aquariums
  • #81 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Aquarium Book I Own, July 4, 2003

By 

G. Hoeppner (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants (Hardcover)

When I picked up this book for the first time, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Finally, an aquarium plant book that is concise, easy to read and laid out in an attractive manner.

This book is divided into two parts: the "practical section" and the "plant profiles".

The practical section, 121 pages, covers aquatic plants and how to care for them. Selection of substrate, proper lighting and nutrition, ideal water quality, and algae identification/control are all covered in this section. The author also includes some plant-friendly fish and sample aquascapes.

The plant profile section is probably why this is called the "Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants." This 75-page section lists many, many plants along with a brief profile on each type. Profiles include: growth rate, lighting and temperature requirements, propagation, and special notes about that particular plant.

I can't say enough about the number of pictures in this book and their quality. Full-color pictures on each page really help you identify what the author is talking about. Layout of the photos is anything but mundane; each page is different from the last.

Even the index of this book is tremendously useful. It is divided into three sections: General Index, Plant Index and Fish Index. Having the three distinct sections to the index makes it easy to pick the book up off the shelf and find what you're looking for. I've even taken this book right to the pet store to select my plants...there's too much information to remember!

I also feel inclined to note that this book has a glossy, durable, hard cover, and the pages appear to be bound to the cover by stitching. I can open the book to any page and not have to worry about the pages flipping around when I'm not holding or weighing them down.

Overall, the information, photos, layout and general quality of this book make it the best aquarium book I own!

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Most, December 6, 2003

By 

A. Parker (Sharon, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants (Hardcover)

Many of the plant aquarium books readily available are either pamphlets or gorgeous books to dream over. Each has its merits, but this book is headed in the right direction. The balance between fish and plants is a delicate matter and one that should not be taken lightly. There is a lot to be learned and this book is a great place to start. There are a lot of easy to understand color graphics which show how plants and fish need to interact for your aquarium to thrive. The explanation of how water chemistry changes at night is most valuable. The listing of plants in the back is more of a sampling than a true encyclopedia. I hope a version of this book comes out with just a listing of plant species!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, February 3, 2004

By 

Philip C. Jones (Iowa City, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants (Hardcover)

The best introductory planted aquarium manual in existence. Covers most commonly available plants, their care, and their uses. Not much here on design or aesthetics, but then the author never intended to address these issues.