Recommended books

What are the best books to buy to learn more about saltwater aquariums? I specifically am interested in a publication that will describe the different stages of set up (not just equipment but what is happening biologically).

I know there are many books out there, but not all are created equal. I'm trying to understand the processes so we can make a display board for people to read as they see the 210 at the Science Center.

Hmmm... most of the good saltwater books are outdated now because what's popular changes so quickly. I know I have one book that covers this though so I"ll look later for you. Generally it's a pretty simple waste=ammonia, bacteria grows, you get nitrites which get turned by more bacteria into nitrate which is usually taken out manually in the form of water changes or now refugiums are the big thing. Skimmers are there to hopefully remove waste before it add to bioload.

Out Dated or not I find "the Reef Aquarium Vol 123 by charles Delbeek And Julian sprung.very good reading and covers lots of areas in even todays hobby.

I'm thinking of starting a small "library" of books and magazines to be placed by the tank. We will make a seating area.

Hopefully I can get Coral to give me a free subscription for HSC, if not I think we will buy one. It would be worth it just for the photos.

I'll check on the "The Reef Aquarium" by Delbeek & Sprung.

Thanks!

Any of the older books still have very good information in them. Just the equipment may have changed some. More efficient skimmer, lights, etc... The basic biology of it has not changed, and that's the meat and potatoes of this hobby. Focus on that, and less on the equipment mentioned in the book.

For example, the skimmer that you have is old and outdated. Anyone buying one new today would be laughed at publicly. Why? The pump required to run that thing takes 380 watts of electricity, and the general design is mediocre at best. Newer skimmers can accomplish better filtration at half or less the energy consumption, and are less than two feet tall. Does your skimmer still work? yes. Will it continue to work for this application? yes, it has for many years supported a fine reef system. It's just outdated by today's standards, but what it does is still just as important.

GoingPostal wrote:now refugiums are the big thing.

Refugiums are quickly being placed on the wayside as well, in favor of GFO or Vodka/Sugar dosing.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Feller
The New Marine Aquarium by Paletta
Aquarium Corals: Selecton, Husbandry and Natural History by Borneman
The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes -- Wittenrich (this is breeding though not general info)
Calfo's books are supposed to be good too...

Alot of the info from these folks is on WetWebMedia (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/) if you wanted to just read and as reference for an info board. If you want a small library then the books may be the way to go. These are the "expert" authors as far as I know

The first one listed I own and found to be the most beneficial to me of the books I've read (not many).