Book Description
A week-by-week practical guide to setting up and maintaining a superb living environment
As fishkeeping continues to grow in popularity, hobbyists are looking for authoritative advice and more sophisticated results.
Setting Up a Tropical Aquarium Week-by-Week is an encyclopedic reference that takes a fresh look at setting up and maintaining a tropical freshwater aquarium. New hobbyists are quite often impatient to set up their aquarium and want to add their expensive fish as soon as possible. This common misstep can have disastrous results that may discourage beginners from ever trying again.
To curb such enthusiastic impatience, this book presents clear step-by-step practical advice in a convenient week-by-week progression. The book uses detailed photographic sequences to follow each stage of setting up a warm water freshwater tropical aquarium in real-time over a period of ten weeks.
The set-up procedure starts with the first day, when the substrate and life-support systems are installed and progresses to the point at which the first fish are added - two weeks later. The book then follows the aquarium's development during the next eight weeks as the tank turns from an artificial environment into a living eco-system.
Alongside the main aquarium set-up sequence are photographs that show how to create two different aquascape designs based on a cube and a bow-front tank.
Profile sections show fifty aquarium plants and one hundred popular warm water freshwater aquarium fish at relevant stages of the set-up process. Throughout, the book explains the natural processes that occur so that fishkeepers can ensure ongoing success.
Combining clear text and simple-to-follow illustrations,
Setting Up a Tropical Aquarium Week-by-Week is a crucial reference for tropical freshwater fish hobbyists.
Customer Reviews:
A great book for beginners.......2005-12-04
This book covers different topics from tank setup to maintenance. It is a well written book with a lots of pictures. Anyone can get a lot of information from internet, however, this book gives the best coverage of planning a beautiful planted aquarium step by step. I wish that I could read this before I bought my starter kit.
While this is a great tool book to own for a beginner, I do wish it can go a little bit deeper on some of topics.
Lighting systems, cleaning and filtering systems, fish choice and feeding plants.......2005-10-12
There are plenty of books on the market which discuss the home tropical aquarium, from choosing fish to maintenance: so what makes Stuart Thraves' Setting Up A Tropical Aquarium Week By Week so special? It's his weekly focus on the project, from day one to week 12, which offers step-by-step clear instructions on how to correctly set up a tropical freshwater aquarium. Lighting systems, cleaning and filtering systems, fish choice and feeding plants: all are given photo embellishments and very clear direction.
THE best general freshwater aquarium reference I've read........2005-03-31
This is a great and complete reference for the beginning to experienced aquarist. Excellent photos demonstrate what the text explains. The author not only introduces the more difficult technical procedures for keeping an aquarium, but clearly explains how to implement them and the natural processes they affect. I also particularly enjoyed that the author frequently discusses the latest innovations and equipment for the home aquarium. If there was one book for the aquarist that I would recommend, it would be this one.
A Great Beginners Guide.......2004-12-07
Wow, I wish they had a book like this when I started fish keeping. I think there would be fewer fish in heaven if I had a book this informative. From tank choice to maintenance, the 12 weeks this book covers is jam packed with practical information. This book includes helpful information on plants, filters, fish choice, fish diseases and much more. The step-by-step photos are great and extremely easy to follow. The information is timeless and very well done.
This is a great gift for anyone who has or wants to get a fish tank.
Book Description
An encyclopedic reference for setting up, stocking, and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.
Nothing rivals the color and appeal of a saltwater aquarium. The
Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium simplifies the complexities of setting-up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium.
The book illustrates and explains:
Specific characteristics of invertebrates and marine fish
Important differences between tropical and freshwater fish
Choosing a tank: advantages and disadvantages of glass and acrylic, different shapes, and critical construction details
Accessories such as aquarium heaters, lights, and filters
Water testing and maintaining the correct chemical balance
More than half of the book is a directory that covers species from 34 fish families. Details include their characteristics, natural environment, diet and feeding, size range, and aquarium behavior.
Coldwater aquariums are covered in a separate section that shows how to establish an artificial habitat for fish requiring temperate saltwater.
This full-color reference will appeal to saltwater tropical fish enthusiasts at any level.
Customer Reviews:
Nice reference.......2007-01-10
When I bought this book I had already been in the sw hobby for six years, but for some reason I had to have this book. Needs to be updated, but it offers a great and broad foundation of the hobby. It is easy to read, and has awesome pictures. Also some of the species names were different from what I have seen in most other books. ???
Great Book for Doctors Lobby.......2006-12-16
This is a wonderful book for the lay person to read as they wait to see their doctor. The pictures are lovely. I gave it as a gift to my favorite dermatologist who happens to have a saltwater aquarium on display.
Good Reference Book.......2006-11-03
We've used this book mostly for identification of fish that we didn't recognize at the pet store. The pictures are fantastic and it covers a broad scope of information on setting up the tank, reefs, fish and invertebrates. It gives information on what they eat, who they get along with, and what conditions they prefer. In some cases, however, the directions for caring for a certain type of fish were not as detailed as we would have liked. If you want a general saltwater reference book, this is a great investment. If you're looking for specific, detailed instructions on how to care for different things in your tank, another book might be a good supplement to this one.
Environmental awareness approach for new hobbyists.......2006-03-13
Full of excellent information about the marine bio-sphere. Most of the information is presented in such a way that environmental awareness is passed to the reader, which will be good food-for-thought for any new hobbyists. Crisp & clear photographs are backed by descriptions of marine life, which give a clear understanding of the subjects chosen.
Comprehensive and informative........2006-03-09
This book is a good reference book for fetermining what fish you might want to get down the road. I wouldn't recommend it for your initial tank startup as there are better books for that, but for fish ID and compatibility, it is nice. There are lots of wonderful pictures and overall good information.
Book Description
Over 500 photos of tropical freshwater, coldwater freshwater, tropical marine and tropical freshwater fishes.
Customer Reviews:
Sensational little book, beautifully done.......2004-06-16
Really a little gem of a book. It's small enough to fit comfortably in your hands and it's just stuffed with information and tasty graphics. The Art Director must have been giggling with delight, the book is really a showpiece. The colorful photos jump off the page and the text is handled in the usual effortless DK manner. Even if you have zero interest in fish, this book is a joy to page through. Beautifully put together.
Good Refference.......2004-06-15
This is a good quick reference guide & has has a good collection of species & varieties. You couldn't raise any fish from the information in this book - but it certainly makes choosing those right for you aquarium a little easier.
Ok for the price or a - - 3 stars.......2003-12-14
Like all DK books this little (72 page) book is very pretty and well organized. Unfortunately it provides little info and also misleads the buyer. At first glance it appears to cover 101 fish ("101 Aquarium Fish" is in large print) but only 40 fish are covered and 5 of these are just different types of goldfish. Of the remaining 61 "Essential Tips" included are: Tip #61-Clubs, discusing joining a club, and tip #45 Choosing Prepacked Food, showing photos of different food types ie flakes (2 types shown), pellets, tablets etc.
Needs a companion book.......2003-06-08
While this is a good quick reference guide, I have found that I have needed another book for most things. This would probably be good for kids as long as parents have another source for more detailed reference.
Beautiful photos, not enough info.......2002-11-05
This is a handy little guidebook that features very high-quality photographs (it's another DK book) of just about every aquarium fish you are likely to encounter. It is useful primarily for those looking to distinguish their Five-Banded Barbs from their Checker Barbs or their Madagascar Rainbowfish from their Siamese Tigerfish - i.e. it is a book for fish nerds. I do recommend this book for the enthusiast and the beginner alike, however the beginner should not rely on this book alone as it does not provide nearly enough information on setting up the aquarium, choosing compatible fishes, and trouble-shooting. My main criticism is that while the design and layout of the book, and the large, clear color photos of the fish, makes it a pleasure to read, it provides only very basic information about each fish. For some unknown reason, the critically important subject of water chemistry and temperature is practically ignored. I also find it disturbing that the author does not really indicate which fishes are good for the beginner, and which are more fragile, and suitable only for more advanced aquarists. This is an unfortunate exclusion given the fact that so many fish languish and die in tanks owned by inexperienced people who lack the knowledge to properly choose and care for them. If you're looking for information you can really use, there is not much point in learning to distinguish between 500 different varieties of fishes, but not knowing which of those fishes you would be most likely to be able to keep successfully (taking into account such factors as your level of skill/experience, local water chemistry, the size of the tank etc.). Still, it's worth a look.
Customer Reviews:
Good (but dated) reference book.......2007-02-09
Book was bought for my grandaughter who was always referring to my 30 year old copy.
She mainly uses it for fish descriptions with which she is happy.
An extensive if not dry and boring reference book........2002-11-07
If you decide you must have this book, make sure you get the 4th edition! I bought a 3rd edition from 1983 and despite its NEW condition got none of the pages of color photos that others rave about. The 3rd edition is on low quality paper, with only B&W photos, many of which are too dark to be of use. Additionally, because this book (regardless of edition) is in fact a reprint of the original published in 1955, it does contain lots of dated information regarding equipment and various aquarium set-up and maintenance practices.
In my humble opinion....save your money despite the low prices for this huge book in good used condition and buy a more up to date book with full color illustrations and less "intellectual" language.
SUPERIOR BOOK ON FISH.......2001-09-10
Despite the fact that Dr. Axelrod wrote the text over 20-25 years ago, it is an excellent source for the various aquarium topics that all aquarium keepers eventually run across and need a reference book.
Information about various equipment and supplies are outdated but that information can be found in many different sources. If that is a major interest, this book will not help you. However, it does provide rich and detailed material about diseases, fish anatomy, fish behavior and requirements for aquariums.
This book delivers useful and detailed information that leaves nothing to the imagination.
Full of color photos.......1998-12-13
I liked this book because i could look up pictures of many different fish. it has a lot of general information on livebearers and egg layers. what i did not like was: 1. The information about the fish and the photos were not together. After you read something about a fish you had to look it up seperatly to find a picture of it. there was information on some fish that were not pictured and pictures of some fish with no information on them. 2. there is no fish disease section 3. they talk about plants but there are no pictures of them 4, the filters they talk about are mostly outdated... no modern type filters like wet/dry or cannister, biotypes. if you want a cheap book that explains about breeding and to use it to identify fish this is a good one. The new hybrids are not included though and there is way too much information on the origination and patent of the ______ fish [i forgot, it was a section that i skipped] To be honest I just use the book for pictures only so I can look up the information elsewhere like on the internet.
Average customer rating:
- Best fish book in my library
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Understanding Tropical Fish (Interpet Handbooks)
Gina Sandford
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Fish & Aquariums
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Veterinary Medicine
| Medicine
| Subjects
| Books
Hunting & Fishing
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
| Fishing
| General & Anthologies
| Hunting
| Shooting
Similar Items:
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A-Z of Tropical Fish Diseases and Health Problems
ASIN: 0764562355 |
Book Description
Fish keeping is a rapidly expanding hobby. One in ten U.S. households now has an aquarium. Tropical fish, however, are notoriously difficult to take care of. This guide offers essential advice on choosing and using the best materials and equipment. Specially commissioned photographs demonstrate every stage involved in setting up a fully working system so that you can keep your tropical fish healthy and attractive for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
Best fish book in my library.......2002-12-10
Sandford takes an unusual approach to educating current and potential aquarists about the hobby. Rather than the standard "buy this" and "do that", she begins by showing us where pet store fish come from in the wild, then moves on to how they are shaped, what they eat, how they breed, and what all this means about how to determine and meet their needs in captivity. Sandford is an excellent writer who manages to balance scientific terminology with common language and her text is beautifully illustrated with drawings and photographs. I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone who has the most passing interest in tropical fish. As a well-established aquarium hobbyist, I learned enough to be reading it again a year later, plus I found that short exposures to specific topics increased my spouse's rather slim interest in my pets. This book would make an excellent starting point for a parent or young person considering a first tank. I would recommend it for the classroom or home schooler as well. It is extraordinarily well done and, at the low price, a real bargain as well.
Average customer rating:
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Clock Making in New England, 1725-1825: An Interpretation of the Old Sturbridge Village Collection
Philip Zea , and
Robert Cheney
Manufacturer: Old Sturbridge Village Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Clocks & Watches
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
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| Books
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
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General
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
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Manufacturing
| Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
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History of Technology
| Technology
| Science
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ASIN: 0913387037 |
Average customer rating:
- A perfect match
- Two wealthy gay 20th century lives
- humanity of a citizen of earth
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Both: A Portrait in Two Parts
Douglas Crase
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Authors
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
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General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0375422668
Release Date: 2004-04-06 |
Book Description
Both is the enchanting account of a remarkable fifty-year relationship: Dwight Ripley, the child heir to an American railroad fortune, and Rupert Barneby, the product of a wealthy, baronial English upbringing, shared an obsession with botany from the moment they met at an exclusive boys’ boarding school in England. Together they embarked on a lifelong pursuit of rare plants, first in Europe and then in the United States, where they migrated in the late 1930s. Every spring they explored the American Southwest in a sputtering Dodge, discovering new species and cultivating the spoils at their renowned home gardens. Barneby published so many taxonomic findings that he became a world authority on legumes. But the two men had other interests as well: they were intimates in the expatriate circles that included W. H. Auden and Peggy Guggenheim, and early collectors of painters such as Jackson Pollock and Joan Miró. Ripley, a prescient artist himself, whose startling work in colored pencil was lost in a trunk for several decades before being rediscovered, used his fortune to bankroll much of the avant-garde art scene of the early 1950s.
The lives of Ripley and Barneby were shaped by a passion for knowing the world in all its lush particulars. Douglas Crase, who received an education in character when he came to know Barneby in the 1970s, offers us not just the brilliantly told story of “both,” but a vivid portrait of the bohemian postwar period they inhabited, bristling with the energy of the new.
Customer Reviews:
A perfect match.......2006-08-25
I first heard of Dwight Ripley about 20 years ago from a friend, the poet Harold Norse, who was then writing his memoirs. Norse reported that he, Ripley, to get a date with him, Harold, who was playing hard to get, and Ripley finally asked, well, what would it take to get you to go out with me? And thinking on his feet Harold said shyly, I guess a Picasso. And a day or so later a messenger brought a Picasso to his tenement door. (This story was much better told, by Norse himself, in his autobiography MEMOIRS OF A BASTARD ANGEL.)
I can't imagine a biographer better suited to tell the life of Dwight Ripley (and the conjoined life of his partner, the botanist Rupert Barneby) than Douglas Crase, for whom this project is so evidently a labor of love.
The two men were fabulously wealthy, and have long ago passed into legend, legend of the Augaean sort from which it would take Hercules to extricate them. Crase makes a good case for his thesis that Ripley's drawings with colored pencil are worthy of further study. Of course he hardly helped his credibility as an artist by bankrolling the gallery (Tibor de Nagy) which showed his work. And everyone knew it, or so it seems. No wonder people thought of him primarily as an eccemrtic Daddy Warbucks with a blushing problem.
Meanwhile Rupert was discovering new specimens of plants and designing dramatic garden vistas.
Crase tries to pry back the curtains of myth and show us the sometimes troubled, more often perfect relationship between the two men, and to argue that they were quite accomplished. "Yes, but" is this reader's response. Sure, they did good work, but with that kind of bankroll, they might have conquered cancer! I suppose this isn't a very fair response to BOTH, and it's one that Crase answers sensibly but noting that, while Fitzgerald told us that the rich are different than you and I, the truth is that WE are different when we're around the rich.
Anyone who loves plants, art, mad queens, money or Marie Menken and Willard Maas will enjoy this book immensely. I know I did.
Two wealthy gay 20th century lives.......2004-07-09
"Both" is the portrait, written by a devoted friend, of two wealthy gay men, two men bound by love, inherited wealth (well, one was disinherited for being gay), and a passion for botany. They met as schoolboys at the British "public" school of Harrow, and maintained their intimate friendship through their college years, Dwight Ripley at Oxford and Rupert Barnaby at Cambridge. Devoted to alpine gardening and the identification and collection of new species of plants, the two roamed the hills of Spain after college, and later of Nevada, making significant contributions. The fates of their gay friends, often binational partners, during the Nazi years in Europe are described, and we do get an interesting glimpse at what life was like for wealthy gay men in pre-WWII England -- privileged but criminal. But as far as the two being gay, this is almost the last reference to the fact in the book.
Ripley became an artist whose style was precise, fanciful and delightfully imaginative, as was his poetry. Thanks to his wealth, generosity and his own artistic endeavors, the two became involved in the avant garde New York art scene of the abstract expressionist years after 1950 and were intimates of Peggy Guggenheim, Clement Greenberg, and a host of other notable personalities. As a loving portrait, though, we don't get fully rounded characters. We have no idea, for example, of their attitude toward the hoi polloi -- something which we polloi might well be curious about, particularly because when allowed to speak for themselves they come across as being effete -- or of much else besides art and botany. The two seem to be removed from the world going on around them -- not one word about either the Stonewall riots or the Vietnam War, or anything else going on in the larger world with a few brief exceptions at the end of the book. Atmospheric atomic bomb testing destroyed much of the diversity of plant life in their Nevada collecting area which caused them great anguish. While on a plant collecting trip to Mexico in 1968 Ripley experienced and was dismayed by the mounting military juggernaut against the students at the National University which ended with the killing of 300 demonstrators. And his just outrage is directed at the mindless destruction of the natural world by the atomic bomb testing and by blind uncontrolled land development, and he'd only experienced the run-up to what has since mushroomed unabated. Ripley though obtusely blamed the common man, rather than the economic system, for the latter.
Despite these limitations, those interested in the personalities of the New York art world of that era, and of the unusual devotion of two people to the esoteric passion of botanic collecting and taxonomy, will find the book interesting.
humanity of a citizen of earth.......2004-04-10
This is a portraint in four parts: a story of humanity of a given period, written by a gifted writer. Beyond details, one is led to see finites of life and at the same time its unlimited potentials and joy.
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