The Complete Idiot's Guide to Setting Up a Saltwater Aquarium

by Mike Wickham

This guide demystifies the delicate balance of water chemistry and fish care. It reveals the mysteries of buying aquarium equipment, setting up the tank, choosing the fish, care and nutrition, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582450293
• ISBN13: 9781582450292
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Alpha Books
• Length: 363 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Best all around book for Beignners ever seen!

First I would like to start off by saying this book is extremely informative. It tells you everything you need to know about setting up a saltwater tank. The information that is provided in this book is very up to date unlike many other beginner books I have read. Not only is the book Chock full of GREAT info, but it also has great pictures, great suggestions on extra reading materials, and even some fishy humor added in. To top it off after purchasing this book I later found out that the author worked at my local Aquarium store in Randallstown, MD! Whats even better is that I know many people that are in this book and I see many of the examples in the store everytime I visit it. So if you are looking for an all around great book check this one out.

Im NO idiot after reading this !

I am a seasoned freshwater aquarium owner, but recently decided to "step up" to a saltwater setup, which i knew very little about. The second i checked this book out from the local library, i was convinced it was something i needed to buy. Mr. Wickham is obviously very well informed from his 30 years as both an aquarist and a dealer, and he cut no corners sharing his wisdom with us in this one inch thick book. He even lightens it up with some wit and light humor. He allows us to learn from all of the mistakes he as seen, and is quick to offer handy advice. It is very easy reading and and an excellent reference. Probably the best 15 bucks i have spent in a while.

making something difficult very very simple

I had never owned an aquarium before. Everyone said DO NOT start with salt water..it is too difficult. This made me want to do it even more. I bought this book, read it and followed it exactly. The results are tremendous. I have a semi-reef salt water aquarium in my home with exotic fish, invertabrites, and corals. This book made complete sense, and made the task very simple. It took out all the misunderstanding of marine aquariums and thier care. Each page has small side notes entitled "something fishy" in which it warns you of problems that you can avoid. At the end of each chapter is a section entitled "the least you need to know" in which the previous chapter is condensed down to the bare minimum of it's contents. There is also humor mixed in with it and this helps keep your attention and enjoyment up. I strongly recommend this book to anyone that has or wants a salt water aquarium. If you follow the steps and recommendations in this book, you will not go wrong.

perfect, step by step, highly recommended

This book takes you through the very first things you must do to set up a salt water tank, and guides you through different filtration systems, lighting (for fish only tanks, reef tanks, etc), and different species. Buy this book before you spend any money on aquariums and supplies. Knowledge is power, and you'll get the power here to make good decisions.

Must buy book for beginner

This is the best book I have ever bought for saltwater fish tank. The price is reasonable, and you will get every detail of information that is necessary to start a new tank. If you want a book with many colorful fish photographs, this book is not for you. But if you want to start a tank and need knowledge, this book will answer to all of your questions.