time to start the library

As anyone who's read my posts knows I'm in the process of setting up my first tank. I read the stuff at the local library first, but I think it was pretty dated. Then based on info from this board and others I purchased the marine aquarium for dummies and (might be silghtly off on this title) the complete marine aquarium. Both good books, but pretty general.

Realizing that I am brand new to this do any of you have other recommendations for books to buy, good ones that got you started perhaps? Unfortunately I'm in an area that's really without a good LFS and I haven't been able to locate any marine aquarist society so I'm basically self-tutoring myself here with some great help from all of you - any help is appreciated. Thanks again!

 

This may help...notes I have used often.

Scott

(updated 08 Oct 2007)


Information For The New Salt Water Aquarist​

(1st Salt Water Aquarium!) ​

Below are listed a number of links that should answer most of the questions a new saltwater aquarist (or a person interested in taking on the hobby) would need to know/ask about techniques of the "art". While there are literally thousands of pages on the web covering these subjects, these links are ones that state them simply and most completely in a condensed way. They are the links I would recommed to anyone first starting out in the hobby.

(A "must" read!) ​

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00 ​

Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.

Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

A List Of Good Beginner Fish

Fish To Be Avoided - I

Fish To Be Avoided - II

Corals

What They Are and How They Live​

by J. Charles Delbeek​

"They are mysterious guests from an exotic world. Unlike anything else we keep in an aquarium, they represent the essence of the coral reefs that we try to duplicate in our living rooms. Our success at this effort depends greatly on how well we understand these unusual life forms.

Unfortunately, for the average hobbyist, the increased availability of these animals is not matched by the information available concerning their biology and care. Too often, hobbyists know more about who manufactures their aquarium equipment than basic biological information, or proper identification of the animals they are striving to keep. And yet, without this information it is difficult to provide the optimum conditions that will allow them to grow and reproduce."

Answers to Everything!​

Marine Aquarium Articles and FAQ's
WebMedia.com​

Aquarium Related Links






​

Learn to Live With It
​

Adam Blundell M.S. ​

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."​

 

Welcome to 3reef. Ask away on here, they are some pretty knowledgeable people on here that can point you in the right direction. You need to remember that there are no two tanks that are alike. Something that works on my tank may not work on your. Just like traveling from Indiana to Florida, there are a bunch of different ways to get there but you arrive in the same place. ;D
So take what you read with a grain of salt. I myself like listening to the people that have done it first hand and not just read that it needs to be done that way.

 

when i started i was in the same boat. check out the online magazines like Home - Reefkeeping Magazine Online and Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine and of course 3reef that is pretty much all the help i had and really all the help i needed. oh check out Reef Videos and Talkingreef

 

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist...Fenner
Aquarium Corals...Borneman
The Reef Aquarium(3 volume set)...Delbeek and Sprung
Reef Invertebrates...Calfo and Fenner
Reef Aquarium Fishes...Scott W. Michael
Just a few as their is such an influx of info pertinent to the marine hobby and your success as well as that of your livestock!
Good luck!