Reading and research
Leopard and McCoskers wrasse
I have taken advice from various people as to the first step to make with my reef aquarium. Research, research and research! I think it is essential that you look at many different sources, professional authors and reefkeepers and that you keep an open mind as there is a lot of conflicting evidence, information and advice out there. The hobby advances quickly so be aware of the date of any information you find, 10 to 15 years could be well out of date with some things. Since beginning my reef in 2010 I have continued to read, learn and question everything. Books, although very good, can become dated very quickly and the internet, brilliant in many ways can also be a minefield of inaccuracy, false information, repetition and very misleading ideas. It is really important to question and double check. I feel I have developed a kind of philosophy to my reef keeping that gives me a basis for my research.
I am putting a set of useful articles together as and when I need information and find them.
Its also a good idea to get your head around the acronyms, abbreviations and chemical symbols in common usage.
Some of my reading material.
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Robert M Fenner
A really good read. A mix of theory and practical advice about a wide range of topics.
Certainly useful for a beginner but I would guess for the more advanced aquarist
too.
The Reef Aquarium, Phil Hunt
Another very good, easy to read and practical guide for those beginning in the hobby.
I am putting a set of useful articles together as and when I need information and find them.
Its also a good idea to get your head around the acronyms, abbreviations and chemical symbols in common usage.
Some of my reading material.
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Robert M Fenner
A really good read. A mix of theory and practical advice about a wide range of topics.
Certainly useful for a beginner but I would guess for the more advanced aquarist
too.
The Reef Aquarium, Phil Hunt
Another very good, easy to read and practical guide for those beginning in the hobby.
Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook, Robert J Goldstein Ph.D.
More academic and in depth but good to have alongside other books
What fish? A buyers guide to reef fish, Phil Hunt
A good practical guide to the fish you might keep in a reef aquarium. Around 180 different fish with notes on care and compatability.
What Invertebrate? A buyers guide for marine aquariums, Tristan Lougher
Sister book to the one above. Useful and practical beginners guide to inverts in your reef aquarium
Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their relatives, Rudie H Kuiter
A super book with lots of information and hundreds of photographs of these lovely fish. Great for identification.
Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium, John H. Tulloch
UltraMarine Magazine
Marine Habitat Magazine
More academic and in depth but good to have alongside other books
What fish? A buyers guide to reef fish, Phil Hunt
A good practical guide to the fish you might keep in a reef aquarium. Around 180 different fish with notes on care and compatability.
What Invertebrate? A buyers guide for marine aquariums, Tristan Lougher
Sister book to the one above. Useful and practical beginners guide to inverts in your reef aquarium
Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their relatives, Rudie H Kuiter
A super book with lots of information and hundreds of photographs of these lovely fish. Great for identification.
Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium, John H. Tulloch
UltraMarine Magazine
Marine Habitat Magazine
Some useful websitesI have, as you might imagine looked at dozens of websites and will develop this list as I progress into the hobby. I am aware of how quickly some websites can come and go so apologies if any of these links are broken. I have joined a couple of forums which are very useful and informative, in fact a must for anyone just starting out I would have thought.
Reefs Magazine Advanced Aquarist Magazine Reefkeeping Magazine Online Practical Fishkeeping Saltwater Aquariums The Spruce Live Aquaria Saltcorner Saltwater Smarts Reef Hobbyist magazine Saltwater Aquarium blog Updated 6.3.20 |