The Coral Reef Aquarium: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Fish

by Ron Shimek

Book Overview

Shimek combines information on setting up and maintaining a reef with ecological concerns to provide a complete guide to coral reef environments.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1620457601
• ISBN13: 9781620457603
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Howell Books
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Brief and easy to understand but very well explained

I first bought this book because of the author. When I recived it and thumbed through the pages I concluded that it was a book for beginners. In any case, since I had already spent 11 bucks I thought what the heck, if I could get at least one good idea out of it it will be worth the time and money. I was delighted to find the clearest explanations I've ever read on aquariun systems. I have a much better understanding now. I also picked up some very useful tips. Fantastic book. Very clear, easy to understand but detailed explantions of complex systems.

A must-have for those just entering the hobby

I fell into reef aquarium ownership almost overnight. I didn't know what I was getting into and bought an established 140 gallon tank with rocks and fish. The second hand tank had been neglected and there were only 3 surviving fish and the rock didn't look too healthy. I had no idea what I was headed into and I bought and killed a number of beautiful, expensive fish out of total ignorance.This book would have not only saved me a lot of money, but a lot of headache, heartache and trips to the local fish store.Dr. Shimek includes tips on inexpensive ways to equip the hardware and contents w/o spending an arm and a leg on overpriced items at the store. He tells you what animals to avoid (especially for beginners) and which ones are must-haves.For a beginning book, it is packed w/ info in just over 125 pages and in a very affordable package. Most aquarium books are VERY expensive and you'll never read the whole thing.I read this book in about 2 weeks (I work full time and I'm a slow reader) by taking it with me during my lunch hour and it has already saved me hundreds of dollars in items/livestock I was considering on purchasing.My only criticism is the lack of photos of critical things the author was citing. There are tons of high quality photos in this book, but some creatures were mentioned that I would have like to have seen represented in a photo and still have no idea what the author was talking about.The author does assume some knowledge in some areas where it seems he may have forgotten his audience. Had I not already dealt w/ some issues during my "baptism by fire" experience of learning the hard way for months before buying this book, I wouldn't have understood some of the concepts he brought up.This book was one of the best purchases I've made in regards to aiding my hobby. Thank you, Dr. Ron!

Put to practice, Dr. Ron's book is an A+!!!!

After reading Dr. Ron's book and reading his articles online as well as other authors (Sprung & Delbeek, Tullock, Fenner, Bornemen, among others), I found Dr. Ron's ideas about reef keeping sound and effective. After doing much research (and failing at a small reef tank), I decided to put his ideas to practice and started my first, large scale aquarium (large for me is a 37 gal mini reef!). Armed with a 6" deep sandbed, intense lighting, lots of water movement, a refugium, and medium skimming, I started adding dozens of micro and mini organisms to my tank. With minimal effort on my part, the corals, fish, and all the other inverts are doing very well. Problem algae is almost a non-issue (after 4 months). The only chores I have are topping off, cleaning the skimmer cup, and feeding. This system really does take care of itself! Dr. Ron's extensive research has really shown me how to keep a reef tank looking and doing great!By the way, I have several dozen bristle worms of various sizes and sub-species in my 37 gal and none of my corals have been damaged by them or any of the other critters Dr. Ron suggests putting in your tanks.

this is the best book i've read

i've read SO many books on this subject while trying to learn what i need, and this is by FAR the best one. all of the books for beginners say a little about fish, a little about history, a very little about necessary equipment...before reading this book i found more questions than answers. this book answers those questions. dr. ron is specific about the chemistry of keeping a tank, the equipment needed, what these animals need in terms of feeding and care to stay alive and healthy. he answers questions you didn't know you had, and makes it clear. this is a MUST READ for those interested in marine tanks.

Takes the confusion out of reef management!

Simplifies the level of care needed. Many tips, do's and dont's I never knew before, because Shimek's way is inexpensive. Pet store salesmen have complicated the process and are in too much of a hurry to sell you this and that. Most of the advice I've received from pet store owners have killed my animals.... and this book will explain why! Let your reef tank take care of itself..... what a concept! It makes sense, and several months after buying this book, I haven't had any problems whatsoever, and my anenomes and corals have tripled in size! Thank you, Thank you Ron Shimek!