Something Fishy About These Books:

[dgwebster]

Im looking for various books on aquarianism (is that even a word ) and are looking at:

http/www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title...=91&g=148&pa=sr

However there are a number of books out there and wondered what people make of them. What do you recommend as a comprehesive book (if it reads like a haynes manual, forget it)?

What do you have? is it an all rounder, freshwater or marine, plant, fish or tank specific etc.

 

[rdd1952]

I'm not familiar with that book but as a general rule, IMO most books on fishkeeping are outdated. With all the changes in the last few years (fishless cycling) you can get more info on this forum or by searching the web than you can get in most books. When I got my first tank last year, I also bought a few books to read and then found this and another forum. I found out real quick that what I was reading in those books was not the best advice, especially their stocking lists (WAY overstocked). I would have been lost without the forums where I could ask experienced people for help. The only books I would consider buying now would be books on fish with profiles and pictures.

 

[dgwebster]

Yup have purchased a second hand from ebay that are "fish and their profiles" with photos called Aquarium Fish bythe good 'ole Dick Mills (he seems to have written many, must have been the first on the book band wagon).

Link is HERE

It seems to include good information on each species of fish and their family.

I do not disagree that books can be out dated but for some reason I always prefer them for quick reference, taking with me somewhere else or reading in bed. Granted I can print out web pages (like I did with the fishless cycle process) but I guarantee next time I come to do it again, I need to print another copy. Not so environmentally friendly.

 

[ncjharris]

That book is a good starter Dave.
We got it as the first book we had and it covers a lot of stuff. Supplement it with what you learn from here and you will have pretty much all the basics covered.
Its a bit lax in specific areas (Salt water set ups, 'expert' water parameters), but it gives a good insight to what fish can go with what, how to set up various tanks and different types of hardware work.

On the topic of books generally, there are some good ones out there. If you go into them knowing that time does effect progress and take anything that appears to be old fashioned with a pinch of salt, then you'll be fine.

Books are also a god send for fish encyclopedias, like the Baensch Atlas'.
EDIT - which essentially, is what rdd said!

 

[lljdma06]

I have three books. I have the Baensch Aquarium Atlas (Volume 1), A book just about labyrinth fish, and a book on plants. The plant book is by Peter Hiscock (great name, huh?) and the Labyrinth book is by Horst Linke. Very good books. I would like to eventually get another volume of the Baensch series, but I want one that focuses on rarer cyprinids and labyrinth fish. They are usually pretty pricey, but I got good deals on them through private vendors at Amazon.

As most of my tanks a densly planted and fishless cycling is not really necessary for my situation (I haven't done a fishless cycle since my goldfish tank in 2000, right after it came out in 1999, I find that several books are not as out-dated as one would think. No book is going to be perfect, but they are still excellent reference books. I just bookmark the more modern information. That fishless cycling article is still bookmarked on my browzer.

EDIT: Your thread made me miss my goldfish. I loved them so. Lost them in Katrina.

 

[rdd1952]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all books are bad or wrong or outdated. It's just that you really need to check the copyright date when buying one to see how old it is.

 

[BigC]

The Baensch series of atlas's are a good book coupled with the Aqualog books on various species for fish references.

 

[dgwebster]

sorry to hear about your goldfish. its kind of amazed me just how much Katrina has managed to effect people world wide. I myself have had a knock on effect as Im going to Texas next year to see family (planned since april this year.) However, my uncle works for a disaster relief group providing help and he has been posted in New Orleans. He's expected to be there for the next 6 months so I will miss him.

And then there are other parts that people rarely think about, such as the loss of pets. A bit difficult to place your fish in the car during an evacuation. Most people only ever see the figures of how many lives were lost, and how many millions/billions recovery will cost. We never hear of the other burdens of lost photographs (read memories) of your life, of dogs cats horses fish and other pets.

Anyway, im prattling on here when what I meant to say was "sorry to learn of your loss"