The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 3: Science, Art, and Technology [Hardcover]

Julian Sprung (Author), J. Charles Delbeek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2005

The Reef Aquarium Volume Three: Science, Art, and Technology Reefkeeping science involves the interplay of biology, chemistry, and physics. However, a reef aquarium is not simply a product of scientific knowledge. The application of engineering and its product technology, makes it possible to duplicate the specific biological, chemical, and physical requirements of a coral reef in a relatively small volume of water. This third volume in The Reef Aquarium series, provides the most thorough description of the science behind the creation of a captive reef, and critically reviews and explains the different philosophical approaches to reef aquarium design. It also describes and illustrates the existing as well as emerging technology for building reef aquariums, to help guide the selection of equipment, its proper use, and installation. While science and technology afford the blank canvas and tools to build a suitable life support system, the plants, animals, and of course the aquarist provide the final ingredient that we call art. This art also involves the system design as it relates to the living space, the aesthetic appearance of the display, and its ease of maintenance, safety, and functionality. To this end, this book provides a wealth of information regarding aquascaping techniques, which combine art, biology, and physics; and invaluable information regarding plumbing, electrical, and other aspects of the aquarium design that combine art and engineering. Lastly, this book discusses the benefits and potential environmental impacts of the marine aquarium hobby, the challenges for its future, and possible new directions. The Reef Aquarium volume three is the essential manual for all reef aquarium hobbyists, professional aquarists, and coral reef researchers who study, create, and enjoy coral reef ecosystems in the confines of an aquarium. Book Design: Daniel N. Ramirez

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The book will be ready to ship November 25, 2005

The Reef Aquarium Volume Three: Science, Art, and Technology by J. Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung

Copyright © 2005 Two Little Fishies, Inc., d.b.a. Ricordea Publishing. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright conventions.

Except for brief quotations for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, optically scanned or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher and author.

First Printing: September 26, 2005

Published and distributed by Two Little Fishies, Inc. d.b.a. Ricordea Publishing 4016 El Prado Blvd., Coconut Grove Florida, 33133 USA

Printed and bound by Mondadori Printing, Verona, Italy Design and production by Daniel N. Ramirez Cover photograph is a composite image, realized in Adobe Photoshop™ by Elliot Sprung, using images from Christy Falkenberg, Marko Haaga, and Julian Sprung. Back cover photographer: Lie Ken Delbeek

About the Author

J. Charles Delbeek graduated from the University of Toronto in 1981 with an honors bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s in zoology in 1986 and a bachelor’s in education in 1986. After enduring one winter too many in his native Toronto, he moved to Hawaii and took a position with the Waikiki Aquarium in 1995. He has been caring for marine organisms in closed systems for over 30 years and currently maintains ten exhibits at the Waikiki Aquarium ranging from a 12 gallon live coral exhibit to a 5500 gallon living reef tank. Charles’ latest projects included the construction of 5500 and 1200 gallon living reef displays opened in June of 2002 at the Waikiki Aquarium, and a 4000 gallon coral farm completed in the summer of 2004. A certified SCUBA diver since the age of 14, Charles has made over 300 dives in locations throughout the world including Canada, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, south Korea, the Marshall Islands, Palau, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, the Florida Keys, Bonaire, St. Kitts, and St. Maartin. Charles has lectured at over 40 aquarium-related conferences and meetings, and published over 60 articles in the popular aquarium literature in the last 15 years. In addition to writing a monthly reef aquarium column for Aquarium Fish Magazine since 1997 and a bi-monthly column for Advanced Aquarist Online, he has with this book now co-authored three popular aquarium books with Julian Sprung. Julian Sprung is an author, photographer, aquarium design consultant, and Vice President of Two Little Fishies, Inc., an aquarium industry manufacturing and publishing company. Julian has a bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University of Florida, and has been keeping marine aquariums for nearly 30 years. He currently maintains 5 marine aquariums and two freshwater planted aquariums. Julian’s love of marinelife has resulted in many friendships with other coral reef researchers and reef keeping hobbyists around the world. He has dived on reefs in Australia, the Bahamas, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Panama, Puerto Rico, Fiji, Florida, Hawaii, Japan, Israel, Egypt, and the Solomon Islands. Julian’s other books include The Reef Aquarium, volumes one and two, which he co-authored with J. Charles Delbeek, Reef Notes Revisited and Revised (volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4), Corals: A Quick Reference Guide, Invertebrates: A Quick Reference Guide, and Algae: A Problem Solver Guide.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 680 pages
• Publisher: Two Little Fishies, Inc., d.b.a. Ricordea Publishing; 1 edition (November 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883693144
• ISBN-13: 978-1883693145
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Fish & Aquariums
  • #49 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Marine Biology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding quality and value reference for reef-keepers., December 7, 2005

By 

Anthony R. Calfo "Anthony Calfo" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 3: Science, Art, and Technology (Hardcover)

I've just finished my first of several, if not many, reads of this fine book. Through bleary eyes, I'm inspired to pen my first review of any Amazon product because of it :)

No doubt, numerous other hobbyists will praise this work for a number of reasons. I'll add my kudos here just the same for a fabulous book that would stand easily on its own merit, regardless.

My first impression on seeing this third volume was that aesthetically it builds on the great reputation of the two benchmark volumes that preceded it. But after a good read, the quality of content even exceeds my high hopes and expectations as an aquarist for what I expected the book to be. In a word, "value."

This book is a tome of current, useful and comprehensive information that pound for pound - literally, on this beefy text - and, most importantly, with regard for quality of content, is an incredible value.

Considering that most hobbyists cannot afford to buy all new works in print, we must make consumer decisions on "best value" for our purchases.

Take my advice... a thorough read (and rereads) of this work will pay dividends on time saved, quality of live(stock) improved, and enjoyment above all on the science and pleasure of keeping reef aquarium life. With kind regards, Anthony Calfo

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive source for grwoing SPS dominated reefs, July 5, 2006

By 

Reef Tank "Uncle D" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 3: Science, Art, and Technology (Hardcover)

I have used this text as a reference and read selected chapters of interest to me as needed since first released. The text is well written and easy to follow. I have been keeping reef aquariums for 8 years and have developed a method that has been succesful in large part to this series of books. It is not essential to have either of the prior volumes to benefit from this book.

Many reef aquarium hobbyists will read many sources including commercial ads looking for help. This will lead to inconsistent husbandry and mixed results. I agree with probably 90% of the advice provided here which is far higher rate than I could find elsewhere.

I found a few of the later chapters a bit sparse on specific issues. Old tank syndrome was treated as a curiosity. I would have rather seen suggestions like mild monthly ozone treatment and reducing nutrients due to neglected care.

Another emmerging area that was not mentioned much was the dedicated care of macro algae and sea grass displays. Most of this type of displays are being produced from aquarists with a strong background in freshwater planted tanks through nutrient additions.

I think this book is essential to any serious reef aquarists and is much more worthwhile than the inconsistent banter found on bulletin boards.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get over the sticker shock., March 20, 2006

By 

John M. Wesolowski (Orange, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 3: Science, Art, and Technology (Hardcover)

The price made me think about waiting for a soft cover to come out. I eventually decided to buy it and am glad of my decision. This book will save me time, money, frustration, and possibly the lives of a fish or coral. (This will easily offset the $90).
One way that this book differs from other great reef books by naming specific products and detailed specifications in its answers to aquarium issues. The authors more fully explain answers provided by other authors in other books and give you greater incite into all the factors that are involved in a solution. Since answers are not always "one size fits all", I can now make better decisions.