Reef Invertebrates: An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility [Paperback]

Anthony Calfo (Author), Robert Fenner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This [book] fills the single biggest void in today's hobbyist's bookshelf." -- Rick Preuss, Preuss Pets, Michigan 2003

Product Description

At 400 pages, this first volume of the Natural Marine Aquarium series takes a comprehensive look at the wide range of wondrous organisms both large and small for modern marine aquaria. Topics include extensive refugium and natural filtration methodologies, dynamic living vegetable and animal filters, and... of course, gorgeous photo galleries and information on husbandry for all the magnificent reef invertebrates suitable for study and display including shrimp, crabs, sea stars, live sand infauna, microcrustaceans & plankton, sponges, sea squirts, gastropods, giant clams and other bivalves, and much more! Heavily illustrated, this reference is handsome, entertaining and above all informative. Written by the highly regarded team of Anthony Calfo and Robert Fenner, the authors bring their humor, wisdom and talent for the art of content provision to the reader with their uniquely humble yet passionate style of delivery. It is an essential guide for every conscientious marine aquarist seeking to finesse their fish or reef aquarium.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Reading Trees (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967263034
• ISBN-13: 978-0967263038
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #393,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Complete, Easy to Read, September 24, 2004

By	Robert Green (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Reef Invertebrates: An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility (Paperback)

I'm new to coral reef keeping - and have been voraciously reading a dozen+ books on all aspects of reef husbandry. Calfo and Fenner's book on Reef Invertebrates is both a beautiful pictorial of reefs and invertebrates and is a very comprehensive guide to reef keeping water husbandry.

I was surprised and amazed at the thorough and complete description of approaches to the essential aspects of reef husbandry. After an introductory section on water quality, additives, tank sizing there is the very best reference I've found on the potential goals and approaches to refugiums. This leads into a beautifully photographic essay on macro and micro algae - giving clear advice on balancing the choices of species.

I was completely engrossed in this so clearly written treatise on tank water quality approaches that I was surprised that the first detailed discussion of "invertebrates" was the better part of a 1/3 into the book!

The rest of the book is largely based on the various genuses of invertebrates that you could consider having in your tank. Again, complete and comprehensive, and especially clear on what will leave your corals alone and what will feast on them, what eats what, water quality requirements by species, diet requirements by species, etc. For almost every family there is a picture. For every species pictured there is at least a small paragraph near the picture describing the husbandry required to have the invertebrate thrive...and often the better part of a chapter when there are a number of varieties of approaches or animals.

This is the best reef book in my library.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Practical Guide, July 3, 2003

By	Too Cold in Madison (Madison, WI, USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Reef Invertebrates: An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility (Paperback)

This is a great book with scores of wonderful color photos. It is not an encyclopedia of every known marine invertebrate. Rather, it is a practical guide to keeping the non-coral invertebrates that aquarists are likley to encounter & consider for their saltwater tanks.

The book is a sturdy, large-format (81/2 X 11), quality-bound paperback with nice glossy paper and beautiful color pix. It is packed with useful, accessible information.

One of the best aspects of this book is the addition of extensive chapters on natural filtration, refugia, live rock and deep sand beds.

This book is a must for any marine aquarist, not just reefers. Well worth the $.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best marine/coral/invert book ever!!!, July 5, 2003

By	Michael F. Ruiz (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Reef Invertebrates: An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility (Paperback)

I am simply amazed at the depth, clarity and insight this book provides. Do not be thrown off by the lack of information on corals and fish. Everything else immaginable is covered. From refugiums to plankton , this is in depth , easy to read sound advice. The authors have two more books in the series that are in the works on fish & corals. This first book is a monster and an excellent reference for those of us who hunger for knowledge in this area. It is packed with in formation, photos and humor!

Do not wait to get this book. Get it now!