Books

[AdAndrews]

are any of these in the list any good:

http/www.plantsalive.co.uk/index.php?_a=...Cat&catId=4

 

[three-fingers]

Don't know about any on that list, 'Aquarium Displays Inspired by Nature' is probably quite good though, since Peter Hiscock seems to know his stuff.

Planted tank book wise, Diana Walstad's 'Ecology of the Planted Aquarium' has to be the most useful/interesting book I've read. It's very detailed about the nutrients plants need, bacteria in planted tanks, light and all sorts of very useful information about the science behind keeping plants - it's not just useful for those wanting to go low-tech.

For a good all-round book, Peter Hiscock's 'Encyclopaedia of Aquarium Plants' is pretty good, though not nearly as detailed as 'Ecology of the Planted Aquarium', it has a small plant profile at the back too, is a bit easier to read.

If you are looking for inspiration around aquarium design, fantastic pictures and nice stories about aquariums, Takashi Amano's 'Nature Aquarium World' is amazing, but not great for information.

I find most all-round aquarium books to give misinformation in at least a few areas, and often be outdated, so I would be wary about spending money on one from the internet without skimming through it first.

 

[aaronnorth]

Planted tank book wise, Diana Walstad's 'Ecology of the Planted Aquarium' has to be the most useful/interesting book I've read. It's very detailed about the nutrients plants need, bacteria in planted tanks, light and all sorts of very useful information about the science behind keeping plants - it's not just useful for those wanting to go low-tech.

great for info.

then if you are wanting aquascaping techniques/ ideas/ examples etc then buy Aquajournals. There is also the ADA catalogue which contains a few 'scapes in. Only £2.99 from AE

 

[AdAndrews]

ok cheers guys

 

[Underwurlde]

Problem I've found with many books is that they are quite old fashioned....

best 'book' I've found for reading is this & other forums, such are UKAPS, BarrReport, AGA etc

Andy

 

[AdAndrews]

ok thanks mate, i have thought that wth a few of my tropical community books, the pictures look like they are from the 80's lol

 

[Underwurlde]

^ Ha! as is the info.

Amano's books are inspirational.

Diana Walstads 'ecology of the planted aquarium' is essential reading but bl00dy heavy reading (degree in chemistry anyone)... and I'd say some of the info in there too is starting to date (e.g. jury still out on allelopathy etc).

Wish Tom Barr would write a book!!! Now I'd quite happily QUE to buy that book!!!

Andy

 

[AdAndrews]

lol thanks

 

[lyotim88]

IMO the best books are made for marine&reef. The only one on that page that i own is the simple guide to planted aquariums. It's OK for a complete beginner, but it's very vague. I'd save my money and just get your questions answered on here and by searching the web

 

[AdAndrews]

yeah, i think i will just buy the ada catalogue 2008 from ae, just for something to look at, and then if i need anything, come on here, i just like something to have a flick through at night normally though

i will hava a look around, ps. Aqua essentials sell "ecospheres", im not intending to buy one, but how do they work

 

[aaronnorth]

^ Ha! as is the info.

Amano's books are inspirational.

Diana Walstads 'ecology of the planted aquarium' is essential reading but bl00dy heavy reading (degree in chemistry anyone)... and I'd say some of the info in there too is starting to date (e.g. jury still out on allelopathy etc).

Wish Tom Barr would write a book!!! Now I'd quite happily QUE to buy that book!!!

Andy

imagine how long it would be though lol

 

[AdAndrews]

i have been on the barr report, does anyone use this???

 

[aaronnorth]

yes, why?

 

[AdAndrews]

well, i had a look and didnt really think that much of, it, maybe i havnt had a good enough look yet

 

[three-fingers]

=

i will hava a look around, ps. Aqua essentials sell "ecospheres", im not intending to buy one, but how do they work

Basically, they don't.

The shrimp are a very long-lived and extremely hardy species.

They very slowly die in the ecospheres.

Complete waste of money IMO. The shrimp are very interesting and easy to look after/breed on their own though, if you fancied rescuing some shrimp and making an extremely low maintenance semi-ecosphere yourself that would only require a tiny amount of attention a few times a year.