Marine Aquarium (Complete Authoritative Guide) [Hardcover]

Richard F. Stratton (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: TFH Publications (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793801087
• ISBN-13: 978-0793801084
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,742,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nice pics, that's about it..., March 26, 2001

By 

Jay G Thompson (Gilbert, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marine Aquarium (Complete Authoritative Guide) (Hardcover)

I have to admit it, I've bought, borrowed, and checked out a ton of books on aquariums and fish keeping. Richard Stratton's "A Complete Authoritative Guide" is, in my opinion, neither complete nor authoritative. There are however, some fantastic pictures of marine fishes. Some of these are printed on thick, glossy photo paper--making a nice picture into an exceptional one.

The content of the book however, is a quite weak. This book might serve as a very basic introduction to marine fish keeping, but it offers little to nothing to someone who knows anything at all about the aquarium hobby. In fact, it recommends some things that would most likely result in total failure if someone new to the hobby were to attempt it. For example, its recommended fish list for various sized aquariums would result in horrible overcrowding. The information on such basic filtration components such as protein skimming, cannister filters and UV is practically non-existant.

To be honest, I didn't read it all, as it quickly became apparent that doing so would be a waste of time. I have a friend that is completely new to marine fish keeping, and I won't even loan it to her, in the event that she might heed some of the advice in the book.

Nice photos, but this is one that was sold electronically. If I'd been able to look at it before purchasing it, I never would have taken it out of the store. I see that at this moment in time, a couple of copies are available used. Think about that one--would you sell one of your trusted aquarium books?