Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) (Paperback)

~ Dr. Robert J. Goldstein (Author) "Coral reefs are magical marine islands and submerged cities populated by myriad bizarre invertebrates and almost invisible plants..." (more)
Key Phrases: minireef tank, aragonite gravel, minireef aquarium, United States, Indian Ocean, South America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The basis of every reef aquarium is living coral, which depend on symbiotic algae in their tissues. The home coral reef is a careful balance of water and light conditions that nurture beneficial algae, starve noxious algae, and allow myriad other coral reef creatures to flourish. This manual advises on maintaining coral and the creatures that thrive in its environment: sponges, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, and fishes, all of which can be included in a mini-reef aquarium. Many full-color photos.

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
The latest
scientific discoveries
and aquarium techniques
for keeping and propagating
living corals

Plus information on keeping

Sponges

Echinoderms

Mollusks

Crustaceans

Fishes

and advice on eliminating diseases and parasites in a marine aquarium --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812095987
• ISBN-13: 978-0812095982
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference Book!, September 20, 2000

By	"wavellan" (Whittier, CA United States) - See all my reviews

In the past two years, I have engulfed myself into Reef keeping and have finally been able to properly maintain a great mini-reef. Along the way, I have wasted tons of money because pure ignorance. Most of the things I wish I knew when I started were in the book. If you have a reef tank, are thinking of starting a reef, or want to improve your current set up, this is one of the books to add to your library.

This book clearly (but sometimes too technically) explains everything you need to know about:

- Live Rock - Protein Skimming - Heating/Chilling - Wave making - Proper Lighting - Care of marine fish - Care of soft and hard corals - How to save money on unnecessary items - How to feed your fish and corals what they really want - So much more...

For $15.00 bucks, you cannot beat it! I would also recommend: Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock ISBN# 1890087009

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars?, March 26, 2001

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

Yes, 5 stars! Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar) this is one of the best books on marine reef keeping you can buy.

I own several reef and aquarium books. They range from the brilliant, to the not-so-swift-waste-of-money types. The "Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook" by Robert J. Goldstein ranks waaaay up the list, kept from the top only because of its brevity.

This book touches on a LOT of topics, and it covers them in enough detail to really help you understand and apply what you need to keep your reef (or any aquarium) running well. Due to its (somewhat) small size, it does not cover topics in great detail. Depending on what you want, that may or may not be a good thing. There is however, enough information, written in plain English, for any aquarium keeper--from rank beginner, to the Old Man in the Sea--to learn something new.

No, this book doesn't contain the depth of information that one of those $80 marine reef books does. But it contains a wealth of information and will send you well on your way to starting up a reef or maintaining your current reef. Even if you're just looking for an interesting read, you can't go wrong with the "Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook" by Robert J. Goldstein.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice condensed Reef handbook!, August 13, 1999

By	"j_roumfort" (Indiana, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book for under 15 dollars. It isn't that little either! It is full of good information on reef systems and the life that goes in it. It also has lots and lots of full cover photos. It is a must for anyone interested in starting a reef tank. It hits every subject from algae to water and chemicals, to skimming and lighting. It is laid out great.