Book Question

[Morg591]

If you had to pick just one book and one book only on reef tanks what book would that be? Something that would be good for someone somewhat new to the hobby as well as for someone more advanced\experienced. What is the one and only, far and away the best, would rather have than any other, book that everyone recomends?

 

[Anonymous]

Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock

 

[Anonymous]

NRA is okay but IMO such a beast doesn't exist - there is too much vast amounts of information hence multi-book volumes like Modern Coral Reef series and The Reef Aquarium series.

NRA is a good book but as it was published in 1997 it's getting dated in some areas.

 

[louey louey]

I have Tullucks book and volumes 1 and 2 of the Reef Aquarium series by J. Sprung and C. Delbeck. I would definately recommend Volume 1 if it is the only book you are going to get. It has much more detailed information than Tullucks book. I refer to this book often.

[ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: louey louey ]</p>

 

[naesco]

Tullocks book.
It gives you fantantic advise as to what species to avoid.

 

[Rich-n-poor]

volumes 1 and 2 of the Reef Aquarium series by J. Sprung and C. Delbeck.

my choice also

_________________
budget savings

 

[Anonymous]

I just think that NRA gives the best over view of the hobby in my opinion for the beginner. TRA can be a bit overwhelming if it's your fisrt book. Fenner focuses more on fish than anything else and doesn't give you the overall like Tullock does. Of all the books I found Tullocks writing style to be the most engaging and easy to read. I thought Fenner was a bit too condescending and Sprung and Delbeek a bit too technical. I haven't read Borneman's book yet but he focuses on corals and leaves the fish out. So my opinion for first book is Tullock.

My personl favorite is Scot Michael's Reef Fishes and the 500 species, but that's just me.

Glenn

[ January 27, 2002: Message edited by: Rover ]</p>

 

[Morg591]

The books I currently have are the Marine Aquarium Handbook by Martin A. Moe Jr., Marine Aquarium by Frank de Graff and Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael ... the first two I have had for years but want something more current.

 

[Ben1]

My first book was Martin Moe's book, not bad considering. I love the part on breeding clown fish in the back.

I would recommend TRA #1 also, it really covers lots of info and is a great reference.

I do agree though, 1 book to get started but eventually reading them all will help. Each author has a little different spin on things.

 

[Chucker]

To be honest, anyone who limits themselves to just one book is wearing blinders. Although I think I understand teh intent of the question, I don't think any one book is the end all, be all reef bible. Each has its merits and drawbacks. My library includes the following, and each one is invaluable in its own way-

Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific- Veron
Invertebrate Zoology- Ruppert & Barnes
Standard Methods- APHA/AWWA/WEF
Reef Fishes, Vol. 1- Scott Michael
Natural Reef Aquariums- Tullock
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist- Fenner
Biology of Fishes- Bond
Th Modern Coral Reef Aquarium Vols. 1&2- Nilsen and Fosså
The Reef Aquarium Vols. 1&2- Delbeek and Sprung
Giant Clams- Knop
The Successful Reef Aquarium- Knop
Fautin and Allen- Anemonefishes
Marine Aquarium Keeping- Spotte
The Coral Reef Aquarium- Shimek
Marine Atlas Vols. 1&2- Baensch
Corals of the World Vols. 1 thru 3- Veron
Marine Fishes- Michael

.... and I consider this collection far from complete.

 

[monkeyboy]

Uhhh, what about Borneman's Aquarium Corals? IMO, the best single volume coral book, the first book i crack open in the event of some coral confusion. I would also reccomend MCRA very highly, but they really need to translate those last 2 volumes!

Any word on Sprung's TRA 3???

 

[esmithiii]

Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock is a good starter, and I keep going back to it.

Borneman's book is my second choice. Now that I am not a total newbie, I prefer Borneman's book. I am not a huge fan of Sprung's book, even though he has answared questions personally here for me on this board. I have a lot of respect for him, but Borneman's book seems better organized. I can find key data easier.

Ernie

 

[Chucker]

Heh, I have both of Borneman's books, too. The fat one is out on loan, and I couldn't see the skinny one while I was typing in the dark.

 

[FishDaddy]

I concur that no one book does it all. Tullock's The Natural Reef Aquarium and Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist do a good job as far as they go.
Add Borneman's Aquarium Corals; The Reef Aquarium, Vols. I&II, and Scott Michael's Marine Fishesand you've got a good working library.

I've got all those plus:

Baensch Marine Atlas, Vol. I;
Clownfishes and Their Host Anenomes by Joyce Wilkerson;
Clownfishes and Sea Anenomesby Tullock;(small, but good info.)
A Practical Guide to Corals, by Puterbaugh and Borneman;
The Book of the Marine Aquariumand Marine Aquarium Problem Solver, both by Nick Dakin. (somewhat dated but still has some useful info)

I would like to add:
Coral Reef Ecology by Yuri Sorokin; more of the Baensch Atlas series and either Sprung's or Shimek's new Invertebrate books.

Chucker wins the Library Contest!

Dick

[ January 28, 2002: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]</p>