Where to begin

[rrichpeters]

I'm trying to get up to speed after ten+ years out of reef keeping. I've had a suggestion for a couple books. But I'm still really lost deciding where to start. I like the idea of live rock and a (in the tank) live sand bed only as biological filtration, as it seems to be the more natural aproach and "look". But I'm concerned that I may be reading information that is dated, and if I'm going to spend time learning this stuff again, I want to be sure I'm listening to current thinking.
If anyone can help point me in the right direction, it would be really helpfull.
Thanks, Rich

 

[fishfarmer]

Begin right here

. A good book to start with is "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock. I think a good thing to do is read as much as you can from this board and use the search function To find answers to basic questions.

What I did when I refreshed my memory on salt tanks was to go to the links page of this website and look through peoples personal webpages. There you will see actual tanks and lists of equipment used. If you know what size tank you are going to start with, I would go to the members tank specifications forum and search for the size tank you want to set up. This should give you an idea of how much equipment, rock and critters can be housed in your tank.

Take it slow and read, read, read. Enjoy.

 

[Anonymous]

richp,
Good luck in your new venture!
Book recommendations I would completely stand by:

Julian Sprung and J.C. Delbeek The Reef Aquarium, volumes I and II. I have yet to see these books surpassed in their depth, accuracy and explanations of concepts.

Most definitely read through the online Aquarium Frontiers archive (link anyone??), and this site's talk archive and other bountiful reefkeeping informational resources.

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: galleon ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

i totally agree with fishfarmer. this board and the book by Tullock are great starting points.

 

[Anonymous]

Aquarium Frontiers Archive

good luck rich!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks pojohnny!

 

[esmithiii]

I second "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock

also, Borneman's book Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History is also very good.

With all due respect to galleon, I think Tullock's book is a better place to start. Sprung's book is great, but it is not organized very well for beginners. Tullock's book is one that you can read cover to cover in this lifetime and get a good basis. Sprung's books are more reference for me.

Ernie

 

[Anonymous]

No worries, Ernie, your point is certainly well taken. Why not get both? <big grin>

 

[Anonymous]

Amen to Tullock's book! Before I set up my first reef tank, I wanted to read up a lot, and that's one of the only books I could find at the bookstore. Lucky for me, it's a great one!

Cool pics too.

 

[rrichpeters]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I think I'm going to start with Tullocks book and then go from there. I'm sure I'll be back soon with more questions.

Thank,
Rich