The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums (Second Edition) [Paperback]

David E. Boruchowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2009

First published in 2001, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums has become the bestselling reference in its category, offering an easy-to-understand look at setting up and maintaining a successful first freshwater aquarium.

Now in a completely revised second edition, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums offers comprehensive and authoritative information that will guide new hobbyists to guaranteed success. Written by a renowned aquarium hobby expert, this indispensable guide contains many ideas for tank setups and stocking schemes—with brand new text that makes the subject material even easier to access and understand for the beginner hobbyist. An all-new preface reflects changes in the hobby since the first edition, while two brand new chapters discuss the benefits of routine large water changes as well as what to expect when progressing further into aquarium keeping. The book also adds mention of all new species that are especially recommended for beginners, plus over 150 full-color photos, captions,

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DAVID E. BORUCHOWITZ is in his sixth decade of fishkeeping. He has been writing and editing for TFH Publications for more than 10 years and has authored a large number of books on a variety of topics. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine. He lives in Upstate New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Tfh Pubns Inc; 2 edition (March 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793821223
• ISBN-13: 978-0793821228
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Fish & Aquariums

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Add my voice to the chorus -- a great book!, March 21, 2010

By 

JohnnyC (Alexandria, VA (USA)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums (Second Edition) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book, and it has provided lots of good advice as I've set up a family aquarium. I dabbled a bit as a teenager, with varying success (some tries my aquarium lasted a year, other times I definitely got new tank syndrome and they all died). Now that I'm a bit older, I wanted to set up an aquarium for my son's 4-year old birthday that we could all enjoy, and I wanted to make sure I did it right.

This book is written in a very accessible manner, as if the author is in your living room giving a friendly chat about his experience in the hobby. It is the ideal length, and the neatest thing about it is, as the author says, he provides what he views is the minimal ESSENTIAL info to enable you to set up a successful first, and doesn't present the range of viewpoints, or more information that might just confuse a beginner. He rightly notes that a successful beginner will be interested in finding more detailed information if his initial experience is positive.

The three best things about this book in my opinion:

-- the information on water changes. I had mistakenly believed in earlier efforts that water changes were BAD, and should be kept at a minimum. The author is a water change fanatic, comparing a water change for an aquarium to opening the windows in an overcroweded room with poor air circulation (not to mention sanitation!), and he is right. I have not lost any fish yet, and I credit that to water changes, and ...

-- cycling; the next best thing about the book. An easy-to-understand step-by-step guide to the mystical concept of cycling. In addition to explaining this for beginners, the author stresses the need to start stocking the tank with fish slowly. You will have success if you follow this advice.

-- stocking schemes. Though on one hand being limited to a recommended stocking scheme is well ... limiting, it relieves you of the burden of extensive research to try to come up with fish that are hardy and won't eat each other. He provides about 10 different options, so there is considerable choice, and you can tweak a bit if you want, with minimal research.

So buy this book with confidence. You have a large base of satisfied readers guiding you in this choice. And kudos to the author, Mr. Boruchowitz, for making such a lasting and successful contribution to the hobby he loves!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent starter book, September 23, 2009

By 

scrunchiesandy (Auburn, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums (Second Edition) (Paperback)

I purchased this book on the strength of the reviews of the first edition. I have to say that I was not at all disappointed.

When I got the book, the sum total of my fish knowledge came from pet-sitting a betta fish for a month. However, I work in a large pet store and wanted to learn about our aquatics department. This book was invaluable in helping me to quickly understand the basics of aquarium care. I found it relatively easy to read & understand.

I was also snared into the world of fish-enthusiasts - I am now in the process of setting up my own tank (I'm still in the cycling stage) & have tentative plans for a second tank.
The book helped me avoid the common pitfalls beginners make and revealed the truth behind some fish myths (fish do NOT grow to fit the tank).

The chapters on required equipment (Ch 4: What do I have to have?), cycling (Ch 12), & Suggested Stocking Schemes (Ch 19) are particularly helpful. This is some of the most important information new fish owners should have, and it is hard to find in other aquarium books.

The book does not have much detailed information on specific species of fish, but that is not what this book is meant to do. That information is easy to find in any freshwater fish guide.

I definitely recommend this book to beginners.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well Documented, March 17, 2011

By 

Reetz from B'ham (Bellingham, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums (Second Edition) (Paperback)

I had an aquarium several years ago, had to give it up due to many moves. I have set one up again. I needed a brush up on start-up and care since much has changed over the years. Should one follow to the letter his detailed instructions, I feel they would be successful in their endeavor.
My one complaint in regard to the book is that he addresses 50-55 gallon tanks, (only in "stocking schemes" does he come down as far as 30 gallon. There are many of us who live in an apartment, or as myself, in my 80's living alone, or for other restrictions cannot entertain such a large tank. I have a 15 gallon tank, and with the water exchange it is about as much as I care to deal with. It is too difficult to try to scale back all his recommendations to 10-20 gallon tanks. I realize this would involve a lot of additional text, but this well written and illustrated book leaves those of us with smaller needs a bit frustrated.