The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates

What can I say? This is probably the most read reef book there is. Fantastic reference book that is part of a lot of libraries. I think the sheer number of people who own this book probably says more about the book than what I could say.

I love this book. It's like a textbook - it provides information in a simple manner that is extensive and will impress the most advanced fish master. Though it doesn't contain info on the latest accessories, it covers pre-1995 tanks that often ran with nothing but a skimmer or algae scrubber. Fancy colored corals were a decade away when this was published but knowing the basics presented in this book is the difference between a novice and an expert. Lighting, for example: modern lighting was not able to be discussed back then but learning the specifics of natural lighting for all the coral species was and can be applied today when choosing between super-expensive lights or cheaper lights that do the equivalent. The knowledge contained in this book will take you from reading 100 different posts to coming up with your own solutions.My book was in great condition and arrived promptly.

The good?This book is truly a comprehensive piece covering probably more than you want to know at times. For example, it explains the chemical reactions that occur during calcification of corals and why additions are necessary.After reading many other references, I must say I am very happy I purchased this volume. Contained in these pages are insights you won't find anywhere else.The book clearly explains the setup and maintenance procedures required to be successful in stony coral reef keeping.The bad?My main gripe is trivial. Guys, how about a larger font size and pictures? I had to do a lot of squinting.It could do with a minor revision of some references that are dated (such as collection of live rock from Florida) as the original was 1994, but make no mistake that all information is relevant.In summary...Obviously at this price it is unfortunately out of reach of the casual hobbyist, which is a shame. However, one could buy this book instead of various "reference manuals" which might be the same at the end of the day.Buy it if you can afford it.I also highly recommend Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals book.

Worth every penny. These books still drag out 100+ dollars at frag swaps and coral shows because they're PACKED with useful information. I've loaned mine out several times, but they always end up buying their own.

Although the book is a little dated/has been around a while, the content is for the most part very current. Tons of information and scientific explanations, and a bit more scientific terminology than some might appreciate. Personally, I liked having the scientific reference. Written like a text book on reefing.

I loved this book. It reads very much like a textbook, which some people might not like, but you can skip around to the parts you think you'd prefer more. I warn you though....you're going to get sucked in and wind up reading the whole text anyway.The aquarium hobby is a quickly-evolving animal, and I should tell you that this book was written back in 1994.....a lifetime ago, in fishkeeping terms. Many advances have been made since then that this book doesn't mention....better powerheads are available, LED lighting is barely mentioned here, etc. Nevertheless, this is still a powerful text for understanding the science behind the scenes for coral keeping. It gets technical at times, and some folks may have some difficulty with it, but the authors have done their best to bring many "large concepts" down to the level for the rest of us to understand. My guess is that if you have a basic understanding of HS chemistry and biology, you'll be just fine."The Reef Aquarium" currently has three volumes in the series. I have read this one and number 3 so far. Since Volume 3 was published in 2005, it's definitely more up to date, but it doesn't cover many of the basics of coral biology and reef structure like this book does. I'm very happy with this book and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is serious about the hobby.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. If you have it and know it, pass it along to another to learn.

This book is one of the bibles (maybe the first in the list) of reefkeeping, the first volume of a series of three. Any responsible and curious enough reefkeeper should read it carefully to discover and put into practice the huge amount of knowledge that is here enclosed, for the benefit of the hobby, and the animals.

Very good condition

This is the 1st of the books in a series of 3 by these authors.Excellent book, very informative, and helpful with so much information and great pictures in gloss.Great for anyone interested in this hobby.

Alot of useful info in this book.

Ne fait pas double emploi avec les volumes suivants.Quelques concepts un peu dépassés mais les bases sont expliquées en détail, très en détail.

This book is an excellent reference related to the aquarium techniques. If you are interested in setting up the Berlin system, the book contributes great power of knowledge. Unfortunately the book is not translated into Japanese, it is valuable for all of Japanese aquarists to read through page by page in English.