What Beginner Book Should I Buy?

KoralKing · 08/28/2011, 02:30 PM

In the past week i have really gotten into reef tanks... to the point where i visited several in my area including World Wide Corals (where i really fell in love with coral) now that i know i definatly want to start in this adventure i want to learn as much as possible before i start buying equipment and especially the tank.

So does anyone have any really great book they have read to give a noob a better idea about everything? ive already read tons of articles on this site and it is great but i would like something printed that i can bring to work and read when i cant spend all me free time on RC!

Sean

dzfish17 · 08/28/2011, 02:49 PM

I would start with The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta... good beginner book.

aandfsoccr04 · 08/28/2011, 02:53 PM

This should help you out:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php

KoralKing · 08/28/2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

This should help you out:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php

WOW thanks i never though of looking there... i just ordered 3 of the books, that should be enough for a few weeks to keep me busy

muttley000 · 08/28/2011, 04:53 PM

The Fenner book on that list is the single most important in my opinion

CarlitosReef · 08/28/2011, 04:57 PM

Did you order the coral book?

jverna1 · 08/28/2011, 05:12 PM

Reef Secrets

KoralKing · 08/28/2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

Did you order the coral book?

no, i wanted to sooooo bad but i bought the 2 beginer oriented ones. in a few weeks ill try to buy a fish and a coral one. i know if i buy the coral ones now ill get distracted and skip the beginer ones lol

CarlitosReef · 08/28/2011, 06:41 PM

I'm going to buy the coral one. I got in mind putting together a 55g frag tank.

jeffesaurusrex · 08/28/2011, 08:48 PM

I'm reading Robert Fenner's book, Conscientious Marine Aquarist, right now. It is a great book, and I've not been confused at all while reading it so I would say it's excellent for beginners. I've done a lot of reading on the internet and from that I know about a lot of things but I don't always know the "hows" and "whys", and the book has kind of helped to give me a more complete understanding on some of the things I was unsure about before. I highly recommend it.

Make sure you get the 2008 version though, as he has changed his stance on a few things since the 98 publication.

CarlitosReef · 08/28/2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffesaurusrex

I'm reading Robert Fenner's book, Conscientious Marine Aquarist, right now. It is a great book, and I've not been confused at all while reading it so I would say it's excellent for beginners. I've done a lot of reading on the internet and from that I know about a lot of things but I don't always know the "hows" and "whys", and the book has kind of helped to give me a more complete understanding on some of the things I was unsure about before. I highly recommend it.

Make sure you get the 2008 version though, as he has changed his stance on a few things since the 98 publication.

Got a picture of the cover of the 2008 version? I'm going to check it out too.

Grant W · 08/28/2011, 09:36 PM

+1 on the conscientious aquarist it should be required reading for beginners. GL

sreefs · 08/28/2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant W

+1 on the conscientious aquarist it should be required reading for beginners. GL

Agreed!

KoralKing · 08/29/2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

I'm going to buy the coral one. I got in mind putting together a 55g frag tank.

+1 nice

... thats my goal a few years down the road, good luck

CarlitosReef · 08/31/2011, 04:32 PM

Won the bid war last night bought the book for $24. Got to send the payment today to get it shipped.

jeffesaurusrex · 09/01/2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

Got a picture of the cover of the 2008 version? I'm going to check it out too.

Cover on the 98 version has a flame angel, cover on the 2008 has a lemonpeel angel.

The 2008 version has a few updates about some new stuff like ATS, LEDs, and he has changed stance on a few things. The majority of the info in the 98 still holds true.

CarlitosReef · 09/01/2011, 06:38 PM

So getting both would be better?

KoralKing · 09/01/2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

So getting both would be better?

the old version is cheeper but the new version is updated. im going with the new one just because of the advances in the past 10 years.

SpencerG · 09/01/2011, 06:52 PM

I would go with the newer version as the older one is a bit dated, though the fundamentals are still sound. I got a lot out of it. Good luck!

CarlitosReef · 09/01/2011, 11:10 PM

If I can score the old one very cheap I would still get it. I will order the 2008 version next week. Waiting on my coral book!!! I'm hyped!!

CarlitosReef · 09/02/2011, 11:33 AM

Just got my coral book!!!

I glanced through so far an amazing book will read! A lot later today

kv2wr1 · 09/02/2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzfish17

I would start with The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta... good beginner book.

That's an excellent beginner's book.

Also: A simple guide to marine aquariums. Jeffrey Kurtz

A simple guide to mini-reefs. Jeffrey Kurtz

Those are the most straightforward and simple to understand books.

Another good one for beginners: Marine Reef Aquarium by Phil Hunt

Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by Eric Borneman

jeffesaurusrex · 09/02/2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

So getting both would be better?

No, getting the second edition would be better but if you can't afford it (it's expensive and only available in hardback) or it isn't available, or you've already gotten the old one, it will do. Having both would be a waste.

The updated version isn't a sequel, but it is supposed to be completely revised and it replaces some info about outdated practices and adds info about stuff that wasn't around in 98. It also has some new pics I think.

Here's an excerpt from an interview with Fenner, it's his response when asked about changes from the first to the second edition.

"I have three good examples. First, the first edition’s text was first 'finished' by me in December 1995. At the time there was very little popularly known regarding metal halide lighting, hence I did not discuss it much in the book. Second, there was much in the way of cultured Cnidarian life—corals, anemones and the like—and too much of the imported, wild-collected cnidarians were of poor quality. Hence, my quite-negative lack of endorsement of their keeping. Much has changed in the last dozen years to have softened this. Lastly, my previous wholesale plugging of Caulerpa genus green algae has proven misguided. There are far less noxious, more service-able species (e.g. the genera Gracilaria, Chaetomorpha) proving to be of greater utility."

sharkman121 · 09/02/2011, 10:43 PM

funny i havent heard anyone say "The reef aquarium volume 3"

CarlitosReef · 09/02/2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkman121

funny i havent heard anyone say "The reef aquarium volume 3"

I was also recommend that book. So now that you reminded me this I am not sure which book to go with as for a beginner in this SW hobby.

What about this book anyone read this one? http://www.amazon.com/Book-Coral-Pro.../dp/0971637105

I am trying to learn more about frags. The Coral Book I got I love it really gets in to the whole coral thing but haven't seen anything be mentioned about frags. I also checked the index.

08/28/2011, 02:30 PM	#1
KoralKing Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Orlando/Tampa Posts: 41	What Beginner Book Should I Buy? In the past week i have really gotten into reef tanks... to the point where i visited several in my area including World Wide Corals (where i really fell in love with coral) now that i know i definatly want to start in this adventure i want to learn as much as possible before i start buying equipment and especially the tank. So does anyone have any really great book they have read to give a noob a better idea about everything? ive already read tons of articles on this site and it is great but i would like something printed that i can bring to work and read when i cant spend all me free time on RC! Sean

08/28/2011, 02:49 PM	#2
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	I would start with The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta... good beginner book. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

08/28/2011, 02:53 PM	#3
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	This should help you out: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

08/28/2011, 04:53 PM	#5
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	The Fenner book on that list is the single most important in my opinion __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

08/28/2011, 05:12 PM	#7
jverna1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Philly Posts: 233	Reef Secrets __________________ Hi my name is Jay and im a coral crackhead! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon Aquarium Obsessed custom 4'x3'x2' SPS dominated reef tank, 100 gallon rubbermaid sump, 4 AI Vega's, Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 ext. (3) MP 40's. Apex controller, ESV B ionic via Bubble Magus Doser, Avast Marine Kalk reactor

08/28/2011, 04:57 PM	#6
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	Did you order the coral book?

08/28/2011, 06:41 PM	#9
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	I'm going to buy the coral one. I got in mind putting together a 55g frag tank.

08/28/2011, 08:48 PM	#10
jeffesaurusrex Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 322	I'm reading Robert Fenner's book, Conscientious Marine Aquarist, right now. It is a great book, and I've not been confused at all while reading it so I would say it's excellent for beginners. I've done a lot of reading on the internet and from that I know about a lot of things but I don't always know the "hows" and "whys", and the book has kind of helped to give me a more complete understanding on some of the things I was unsure about before. I highly recommend it. Make sure you get the 2008 version though, as he has changed his stance on a few things since the 98 publication. __________________ -Jeff Current Tank Info: 29g Biocube - StevesLEDs - MP10 - Apex - Tunze

08/28/2011, 09:36 PM	#12
Grant W Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Petaluma,Ca Posts: 2,840	+1 on the conscientious aquarist it should be required reading for beginners. GL __________________ Really honey, I'm not going to buy anything at the fish store I'm just going to have a look. The Other Pres. at Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon SPS dominant tank, custom lighting, etc, etc

08/31/2011, 04:32 PM	#15
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	Won the bid war last night bought the book for $24. Got to send the payment today to get it shipped.

09/01/2011, 06:38 PM	#17
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	So getting both would be better?

09/01/2011, 06:52 PM	#19
SpencerG Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 356	I would go with the newer version as the older one is a bit dated, though the fundamentals are still sound. I got a lot out of it. Good luck!

09/01/2011, 11:10 PM	#20
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	If I can score the old one very cheap I would still get it. I will order the 2008 version next week. Waiting on my coral book!!! I'm hyped!!

09/02/2011, 11:33 AM	#21
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	Just got my coral book!!! I glanced through so far an amazing book will read! A lot later today

09/02/2011, 10:43 PM	#24
sharkman121 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trinidad & Tobago Posts: 208	funny i havent heard anyone say "The reef aquarium volume 3" __________________ 130g in-wall 150lbs Live rock Niger Trigger, yellow tang, 3 chromis, tomato clown, blue damsel, foxface rabbitfish. 1/4 hp Pacific Coast Chiller.

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