An encyclopedic reference for setting up, stocking, and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.
Nothing rivals the color and appeal of a saltwater aquarium. The Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium simplifies the complexities of setting-up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium.
The book illustrates and explains : – Specific characteristics of invertebrates and marine fish – Important differences between tropical and freshwater fish – Choosing a tank : advantages and disadvantages of glass and acrylic, different shapes, and critical construction details – Accessories such as aquarium heaters, lights, and filters – Water testing and maintaining the correct chemical balance
More than half of the book is a directory that covers species from 34 fish families. Details include their characteristics, natural environment, diet and feeding, size range, and aquarium behavior.
Coldwater aquariums are covered in a separate section that shows how to establish an artificial habitat for fish requiring temperate saltwater.
This full-color reference will appeal to saltwater tropical fish enthusiasts at any level.
When I bought this book I had already been in the sw hobby for six years, but for some reason I had to have this book. Needs to be updated, but it offers a great and broad foundation of the hobby. It is easy to read, and has awesome pictures. Also some of the species names were different from what I have seen in most other books. ???
If your are just starting off or of been with the salt water hobby for a white thsi is a great book to have.
If you’re familiar with IT books, there’s a type known as “nutshells” which contain the critical essentials the reader needs to get about their business and gain a deeper understanding of the subject-matter. I’d read about marine tankkeeping on various hobbyist websites but decided to pick this book up to make sure I understood the fundamentals before I set up my first SW tank. Dakin is clearly devoted to the hobby and provides good, sound advice for me, a novice. Some reviewers lament the lack of details for particular species; for that information, I highly recommend A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species which provides detailed info about compatibility, minimum tanks sizes, and feeding requirements for various marine fishes. All-in-all, this “encyclopedia” served my needs.
I bought this thinking it’s something different than what Mr. Dakin wrote 10 years earlier and for the most part it’s not! If you’ve read the other one with a blue cover that came out in 93′ don’t buy this one! This one is about 90% the same book. Why this book was printed, I have no ideal! It has a little more detail regarding filtration but most of it has been reprinted from the earlier book! On the plus side this baby is very rare(less than10000)copies! Also, I heard because Fenner’s Conscientious Marine book was a blockbuster(3 printings) and no better than this one Dakin and his supporters wanted more exposure! This thing should still be in print! In PAPERBACK, it’s huge(10 x 12)& 2plus pounds!
Replace your stupid books of lame art and boring family pictures. Put this on your coffee table and let guest compare pictures with your aquatic species.