Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

The price of this book is daunting. As such, I borrowed it from my local Aquarium Club. After I had to return it a month later, I odered a copy. Pound per pound--and it's a hefty book--it is the best value on this subject matter out there.
There are three types of Aquarists in general: those that have their tanks serviced, those that by and large get by maintaining their tanks themselves with a little professional help and not much real interest in the matter and finally those that are fully immersed, do-it-yourself, somewhat obsessed hobbyists, Most likely if you are reading this, you fall into the later category. As the authors write on page 205, " For the techno-type reefers...if you are reading this book that probably means you are". Well, this book is a fully comprehensive and well written guide and review of the hobby dealing with every imaginable aspect from fitting bulkheads to the importance of iron to reviews of the latest equipment to photos of various surge systems--it's all in here.
This is a contemporary book which makes it a great book. Hydor Flo rotating devices, Ocean Motions, T6 & T8 flourescent lights & ACLS Ballasts--all of the cutting edge of technology are mentioned and commented upn. It is a thorough compilation and as such the culmination of Modern Reef Keeping from the most simple basics to quite complex issues.
If you are interested in reef keeping, do yourself a treat and buy this book. Even the most advaced aqaurist will find it well worth it: for the average aqaurist with a real interest, it's a must.

I have read a few dozen books on Marine Aquariums and this one by far has the most detailed information on all the various systems that are available to the hobbiest. It also shows how to implement them properly and sometimes even how to build them. From the simple to the most advanced aquarium systems, this book covers them all.
Don't expect much info on Corals or Fish, that what volumes 1 and 2 cover.

I want to add my two cents regarding the review by Anthony Calfo. For those of you not familiar with him he is an author himself in the same field as Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung. Therefore the comments he has made are nothing less than a glowing review by a peer who himself has produced quality work, which I happen to own as well. It would be diffiuclt for me, just a hobbiest, to have a better perspective.

I own and have enjoyed the first two volumes of this series. They were two of my first books purchased in my research going into the hobby. This being said I would agree with Anthony that it provides a great amount of knowledge. That and it looks great on my shelf next to the other two volumes. Some people may shy away due to the price but I have been pleased with the purchase and would do it again.

I've kept marine and reef aquaria for over a decade now, have a small tropical and marine fish shop downtown, and have bought and read probably a couple dozen books on keeping marine fish and reef tanks, including Volumes 1 and 2 by the same authors. If I could have just one of all the books I've read on the topic, to read and refer back to whenever necessary, it would be this volume. It's not a beginner's book, but it's wonderfully comprehensive and understandable for one who's already a little familiar with the subject matter. For one who understands most of the "whats" of keeping a reef aquarium, but is confused about many of the "whys," this book answers those questions with very clear and readable explanations.

Excellent book. There is quite a bit of information for the reefkeeper from novice to advanced. Covers water quality , aquascaping, plumbing, equipment, lighting, water movement, feeding and more in depth. I wish I had read this volume before starting my first tank. It would have saved me a lot of money, time and frustration.

I am a beginning reefkeeper and have purchased a number of books on the hobby, including this one. In my opinion this is easily the best book on what it takes to actually assemble a functioning, thriving reef tank. The chapter on plumbing (parts, layouts, pumps, etc) alone is worth the price of the book and that's just one chapter!

Contrary to other reviews on here I don't think the material is daunting...I think it's relevant. Why jump into a hobby that is recreating an ecosystem if you don't have the knowledge to do so? It's not difficult to understand, and what I've found is that in many places when something is explained, that in text could be hard to understand, there is usually an illustration, chart, or picture to make it clear. Kudos!

I would easily pay double for this book now that I've read it, and this will serve as my main reference on tank issues moving forward.

This book is incredible. If you plan to start a tank, or have one and have questions about husbandry, upkeep, or chemistry, this book is exceptional.

All the information and depth of a textbook with easy straightforward text, I think there's more concrete, easily accessible information between these two covers than in every forum, internet article, and other aquarium book I've purchased.

This is the one book I will always recommend new reefkeepers to pick up while they're planning their reef, and it was worth so much more than I paid for it.