[leebca]

I can usually count upon someone every week asking me to recommend a marine book for them to read. I usually don't. Mostly, it's because I can't.

The would-be or experienced aquarist needs to see the book to see if he or she can understand it and that it makes sense to them. There are a great number of good books out there on marine aquariums, reef aquariums, fishes, invertebrates, corals, etc., etc.

I can and will say this -- I wish every hobbyist would get and read at least one basic book about the hobby. Many people think they can just wing it or, worse, follow the advice of a friend, or even worse, follow the advice of a retailer. Not good. This hobby is challenging. Through it the aquarist will learn many things about plumbing, lighting, electricity, chemistry, biology, micro organisms, physics, marine life, bacteria, and the role these play in the hobby. This is not something to 'learn-as-you-go.' Start by reading a good book BEFORE you make your first purchase!

Books can be ordered through your local book store. The sponsors here on Reefland also offer books for sale. I have combined a few threads on this subject and listed books in this post. Besides just listing the book, I try to give some idea as to its content and focus (if I know it).


Setting up a Marine Aquarium


The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner - I don't always agree with everything Bob writes, but this is a more in debt marine aquarium book especially good as a 'second book' for the beginner.

Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock - A bit dated but particularly useful if the aquarist wants to set up a reef aquarium representing a specific area of the reef/ocean.

The Marine Aquarium by Nick Dakin; and
The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta - are books I highly recommend. They give good diagrams and go into different systems as well as landscaping.

The Marine Aquarium Reference by Martin A. Moe Jr. - is good for the intermediate, advanced, technical oriented, or experienced aquarist.

Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies by Gregory Skomal - the title says it clearly -- this is a basics book. Not much in the way of guidance that I can agree with when the book into advanced areas, but it has 'the basics.'

The Question & Answer Manual of the Marine Aquarium by Nick Dakin - has some great illustrations and information on different tank systems, and does well speaking about equipment and layouts. A beginner would get a lot out of this book.


Marine Life

Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael - not only a good identifier of common marine fishes, but good advice on their care.

Marine Invertebrates by Ronald S. Shimek - not only a good identification guide of common marine invertebrates, but good advice on their care.


The above covers the basics. There are of course hundreds of books not listed here. As I wrote initially, the reader should look over some books at their book store, local fish store (LFS) or retailer to see what seems to 'fit' best with their interest and ability.

There are several Internet data bases and sites available for investigating what marine life eat, where they live, etc. This thread contains some of those:
Marine Fish Books

This thread can give beginners an idea on what they need to think about if they want to setup a saltwater, fish-only aquarium:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium