Best Coral Book

JM68 · 01/01/2010, 11:36 AM

Whenever i have a question about a coral i find myself searching online and more often than not i can't find the answer to my question. I'm considering buying a book or two about corals just to have as a quick reference when i have a question or just feel like learning a little. Anyone have an opinion on some of the best books on coral out there? I'm looking at "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman, it seems like it has good reviews, but i don't want to by a 30$ book that has a bunch of useless info in it. What does everyone think?

Texxxx · 01/01/2010, 12:04 PM

I have that book and I think it is a great book.
I also have "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner
I think both books are great books.

twiggyb · 01/01/2010, 12:14 PM

I like "The Marine Reef Aquarium" by Philip hunt, but It's more of how to get started, however it gives pretty good descriptions of the different corals that are good for reef aquariums and what to look out for. Also, " What Invertebrates? A Buyer's Guide For Marine Aquariums" by Tristan Lougher. It has tons of info about all sorts of inverts, good and bad, where they come from, reef compatibility, fish compatibility, etc. although I'm sure there's probably better reads out there. This is just what I could find at a barnes and noble around here.

v1...rotate · 01/01/2010, 12:22 PM

I also have the 'Aquarium Corals' book by Borneman which is great to start with. Definitely worth it and would probably be the best to start with.

However if you feel more adventurous later on, the best coral identification book out there is called 'Corals Of the World' (3 volumes) by Jen Veron. Excellent and extremely detailed. It is purely for coral identification with great colour pictures. Rather expensive but certainly worth every penny! Can buy it from Amazon.com

MCCOOL · 01/01/2010, 12:36 PM

"corals: a quick reference guide" by Julian Sprung

I have and recommend this one

Edit: the Jen Veron books are great also

Tang Salad · 01/01/2010, 01:11 PM

Borneman's book is good for identification to the Genus level. It also has some great information on water chemistry. I find its care guides for specific corals to be very generic and full of repetition. Still, a great all-around book.

Veron's series is the best there is for identification, right down to species. It has no captive care information, though. It does have some excellent general information about corals. The chapter on reticulate evolution is one of the most interesting pieces I've ever read.

reefscape15 · 01/01/2010, 03:20 PM

Borneman's book is great. Another book that I feel that everyone should read is "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock. Best book on reef keeping IMO.

dwd5813 · 01/01/2010, 03:23 PM

i have borneman's book and if i didn't i'd get it. that said there are others out there that i've been wanting to pick up as well. the ones listed above are also on my list of books to get.

DolphinLVR · 01/02/2010, 11:38 AM

Great Input! I am looking to get newer books as I am going to be getting back into the hobby after a 25 yr abscense.

Frick-n-Frags · 01/02/2010, 11:50 AM

EB's book is my general info goto book. best overview of things. i have more specific books for more specific things like SPS or fish, but for softie info, that's about the best i have.

01/01/2010, 11:36 AM	#1
JM68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 658	Best Coral Book Whenever i have a question about a coral i find myself searching online and more often than not i can't find the answer to my question. I'm considering buying a book or two about corals just to have as a quick reference when i have a question or just feel like learning a little. Anyone have an opinion on some of the best books on coral out there? I'm looking at "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman, it seems like it has good reviews, but i don't want to by a 30$ book that has a bunch of useless info in it. What does everyone think?

01/01/2010, 12:04 PM	#2
Texxxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 172	I have that book and I think it is a great book. I also have "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner I think both books are great books. __________________ Tank: 125gal money pit Current Tank Info: 125gal, 55 sump with fug, 3x250MH, 2x60" VHO, Euro-Reef RC250 skimmer, Ca reactor, ATO Kalk, 2500gph closed loop

01/01/2010, 12:14 PM	#3
twiggyb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DeSoto, MO Posts: 3,813	I like "The Marine Reef Aquarium" by Philip hunt, but It's more of how to get started, however it gives pretty good descriptions of the different corals that are good for reef aquariums and what to look out for. Also, " What Invertebrates? A Buyer's Guide For Marine Aquariums" by Tristan Lougher. It has tons of info about all sorts of inverts, good and bad, where they come from, reef compatibility, fish compatibility, etc. although I'm sure there's probably better reads out there. This is just what I could find at a barnes and noble around here. __________________ -Daniel- Love, grease and chicken peace! Chicken are people too. Current Tank Info: 29g since March 2012

01/01/2010, 01:11 PM	#6
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Borneman's book is good for identification to the Genus level. It also has some great information on water chemistry. I find its care guides for specific corals to be very generic and full of repetition. Still, a great all-around book. Veron's series is the best there is for identification, right down to species. It has no captive care information, though. It does have some excellent general information about corals. The chapter on reticulate evolution is one of the most interesting pieces I've ever read. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

01/01/2010, 03:20 PM	#7
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Borneman's book is great. Another book that I feel that everyone should read is "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock. Best book on reef keeping IMO. __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/01/2010, 12:22 PM	#4
v1...rotate A Reef In The Sky Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 718	I also have the 'Aquarium Corals' book by Borneman which is great to start with. Definitely worth it and would probably be the best to start with. However if you feel more adventurous later on, the best coral identification book out there is called 'Corals Of the World' (3 volumes) by Jen Veron. Excellent and extremely detailed. It is purely for coral identification with great colour pictures. Rather expensive but certainly worth every penny! Can buy it from Amazon.com

01/01/2010, 12:36 PM	#5
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	"corals: a quick reference guide" by Julian Sprung I have and recommend this one Edit: the Jen Veron books are great also

01/01/2010, 03:23 PM	#8
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	i have borneman's book and if i didn't i'd get it. that said there are others out there that i've been wanting to pick up as well. the ones listed above are also on my list of books to get. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/02/2010, 11:38 AM	#9
DolphinLVR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: La Conner, WA. Posts: 212	Great Input! I am looking to get newer books as I am going to be getting back into the hobby after a 25 yr abscense.

01/02/2010, 11:50 AM	#10
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	EB's book is my general info goto book. best overview of things. i have more specific books for more specific things like SPS or fish, but for softie info, that's about the best i have. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB