Marine Aquarium Keeping

Demystifies aquarium setup and maintenance Combine and care for a wide variety of marine fish and invertebrates Dive into the colorful world of saltwater fish! This fun, friendly guide gives you easy step-by-step instructions for choosing and caring for these amazing animals. You get the latest on feeding, tank upkeep, filtering systems, maintaining live rock, and preventing algae build-up, as well as what not to include in your aquarium. Discover how to Choose the best fish and equipment Get your tank up and running Maintain proper water conditions Keep your fish happy and healthy Avoid tank pitfalls Keep a brackish aquarium

The science and common sense behind creating an inexpensive,flourishing marine aquarium Marine Aquarium Keeping is the firstcomplete, step-by-step handbook to bring scientific perspective andinsight to the practical basics of assembling and successfullymaintaining a conventional marine aquarium. While minimizinggadgetry and underscoring a simple, commonsense regimen of looking,seeing, and understanding, author and marine biologist StephenSpotte offers logical, chapter-by-chapter guidance to every facetof the hobby--from choosing equipment and setting up an aquarium,to selecting healthy animals and maintaining a flourishingunderwater environment. Inside, readers will discover: * How to make a new aquarium suitable for sustaining life * How to select healthy animals from species demonstrating goodcaptive survival * The step-by-step basics of routine maintenance * How to easily meet the nutritional requirements of marineanimals * The key to disease prevention * The use of seawater and artificial seawaters * The living subgravel filter * Aquarium decorations as shelter spaces and as aestheticfeatures * The marine aquarium as a living community An extensive health and disease section offers detailed,easy-to-follow treatment regimens, several unique to this volume,for a variety of common diseases. Current controversies and popularmyths surrounding aquarium keeping, such as the benefits ofsupplemental light and the superiority of plastic filtrants, arealso examined. A wealth of black-and-white and color photographsthat strikingly depict marine animals in their natural habitatbring key facets of the text to life. Indispensable to the amateuraquarist who appreciates both the beauty and science of thisfascinating pastime, this newest edition of the popular classic isthe complete guide to successful, inexpensive marine aquariumkeeping.

HELPFUL TIPS YOU CAN USE RIGHT AWAY Whether you already have a reef aquarium or simply dream of starting one, the 107 tips in this book will save you time and money and give you the confidence to achieve the success you desire. Chapters include: - STARTING OUT - GENERAL ADVICE - SAVE SOME MONEY - SHOPPING - BEST PRACTICES - MAINTENANCE - LIGHTING - SAFETY - DEALING WITH PROBLEMS - TRAVELING - DISEASE AND PARASITES - FEEDING - PICKING LIVESTOCK - DEALING WITH AGGRESSION - CHANGE UP THE LOOK OF YOUR TANK - AQUASCAPE - TAKE BETTER PHOTOS - REFERENCES - WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Author Ray Hunziker, longtime editor of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine and lifelong fish keeper, is the ideal tutor for aquarists looking to take a dive into the saltwater end of the tank! Marine Aquariums begins with a discussion of seawater and water quality, the most critical part of keeping marine fishes happily swimming (and breathing) in their tank. Hunziker continues with a step-by-step explanation of setting up a marine aquarium, discussing aquarium types, the number of fishes for the size tank selected, siting the tank, stands, substrates, temperature, lighting, filtration and dcor.The chapter on stocking and maintaining the tank discussing purchasing healthy, vibrant fish, acclimatizing them to the tank, feeding them, and monitoring the tank on a regular basis. An elaborate chapter on the various types of saltwater fishes available, "Ideal Fish for Your Marine Aquarium, "details and illustrates nearly 70 fishes divided into the following categories: moray eels, squirrelfish and soldierfish, lion fish, groupers, cardinalfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, hawkfish, wrasses, jawfish, gobies, surgeonfish, and triggerfish. The final chapter discusses keeping fish healthy, including the signs of illness, treating various ailments, and setting up a quarantine tank for affected fish. Resources, glossary, index included.

(back cover) This book focuses on developing a system using natural rock and sand as the foundation for a sustainable reef aquarium. Detailed step-by-step guidance throughout. Features more than 400 photos and illustrations.