Customer Reviews

The Essential Freshwater Aquarium (Essential Guides Series)

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

 

 

I find this to be a solid reference guide when it comes to setting up a freshwater aquarium. Some of the things discussed are fish evolution and biology, tank size, aquarium stands, water chemistry (including the important nitrogen cycle), different types of filters, aeration, heating, lighting, gravel, plants, general maintenance, freshwater fish families, fish selection, feeding, and health. The color photographs are also pleasing. This is a helpful book.

I used this book to clean up a dying 10 gallon tank and start a 55 gallon tank and the information was invaluable. Two years later I still refer back to this book (in fact I am buying a replacement for my lost copy). I found it to contain all the essential information one needs, plus great information on fish personalities and interactions. The fish descriptions and types are quite abridged, but for a small handy guide this book is the one you need.

It covers the basics from tank setup to the nitrogen cycle to what species do well together. There is a guide to recognizing fish diseases - I can't praise this small book enough. I like things to be concise. For elaboration I go to the library. Keep this near your tank.

This is an excellent book for beginners, it goes over most things essential to setting up and taking care of an aquarium. Such as maintence and cycleing a new tank, and types of filters and lights, etc. It has a very general description of fish species and characteristics. Because the information provided in this book is "essential" intermediate aquarist might find this book a bit tedious because there isnt realy any information an experienced aquarist shouldnt already know. I would recomend this to sombody who is new to or is interested in the hobby.

For the price, this book does a good job of covering the basic elements of setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium. Simple, direct language speaks to plants, fish, environment, placement of the tank and lighting. Nice pictures, easy to read.
If you are new to the hobby, get this as a quick guide BEFORE tank set up. Afterwards, it is still a good book, but about 25% of it is about set up, not maintenance, which is very important for the new tank!

very goo