I am not new to aquariums, but I am new to the saltwater/ reef aquarium hobby. Like many others, I have read several books on the topic over the past few months. But I have referred to none of the others as often and as successfully as to this one. Laurren Schmoyer writes simply, clearly and concisely. He explains the reasons behind everything that you need to do and gives you step by step instructions on how to do it. He explains the various options and choices that are out there for things like filtration, lighting, protein skimmers, etc. He gives photos and descriptions of the corals that would make good choices for beginners, and also the invertebrates and fish that will be compatible with them and with each other. His checklists are extremely valuable for a beginner. Because of this book I have been able to go into aquarium stores and ask intelligent questions and have some confidence that I know what I am talking about. Since it's an electronic book it's in my pocket all the time, and I often pull it out when I am in stores. I have learned another trick too. If you want more detail on a topic, try googling "Laurren Schmoyer" AND "whatever that other aquarium topic is." He's written lots of articles on the internet which have also been very helpful, and which have led me in my quest for the right vendors that I want to use. The other books I read probably would not have convinced me that I actually could build a reef aquarium and be successful. This book did because it is simple and straightforward and not overwhelming. As proof, I now have a flourishing 29 gallon fish and live rock aquarium with one soft coral that was given to me as a gift. Fish, invertebrates and coral are all doing great! This is my practice tank--the future quarantine tank. The reel reef will be 175 gallons and will take a few months to build. I plan to come back and share my thoughts again when that aquarium is built and stabilized! Read more
Anyone looking to start or maintain a reef tank should read this book – it is exactly what I needed! Packed with simple steps to follow for setting up a reef aquarium and even explains how to care for a reef tank as it grows. It also explains which fish and corals are the best choices to keep in your new reef. There is so much to know and this book breaks it down and takes you through every step. I highly recommend this book and have no doubt my tank will flourish with my new understanding as long as I follow the steps provided! Read more
I was really exicited when I noticed in book free bonuses for logging information. But when I went to site included in this book, it was missing the link. The book is from 2014, so maybe it just a old and link is gone. I was going to give it 3, but decided to change it to 4. I guess the best way is to create my own logs in excel or word. I try some written ones and just too messy. Read more
The information in this book is very good. A thorough discussion of common reef animals--their behavior and requirements--is especially useful to beginners. The book's major downfall is the extremely low-quality grayscale photos that are used. Frustratingly, the book references these images as if they were in color saying things like, "note the blue and red stripes" or "the pump is outlined in lime green." If you do read this book, have a computer nearby so you can Google images of each animal as you go along. The book is also riddled with poor grammar and typos, adding to an already amateurish feel that is incongruent with the $20 price tag. These criticisms aside, I do not regret my purchase, because the information is quality, and this will be a valuable reference for me in the near future as I build my first reef tank. In summary, then, the content is excellent, the presentation is poor, the overall value is fair. Read more
This is my second book I have bought by the author. Like the first it is straightforward, easy to follow and understand. It has a lot of valuable information but it is not too overwhelming. The best part to me is the advice and variety of hardy fish and corals and what to feed them. This book is perfect for anyone wanting to start and keep a reef aquarium. Read more
I had the pleasure of visiting Laurren's aquarium store and it was impressive with its huge selection of live corals, saltwater fish and equipment. I like that this book is written from his years of personal experience giving beginning hobbyists and even seasoned hobbyists the guidance they need to keep a SUCCESSFUL reef tank. The book is very clear and even tough subjects like water chemistry are easy to understand. This is a MUST READ for those interested in starting a reef aquarium. Read more
This a good reference book to aid reef keeping hobbyist. Read more
Good basic book on reef aquariums. I was hoping to find a book with the newest techniques in reef tank science, but it really doesn't go there, but instead focuses on the basics. Honestly, my ten year old reef tank books say the same things. I don't understand why some of the review say the book's pictures are in black and white, mine are all color and my book is digital. Read more
