Saltwater Aquariums Make a Great Hobby : Worksheets, Charts, and Cost Estimates, Checklists for Setting up Your Aquarium, Resources and Hands-On Activities for All Ages

by Tullock, John H.

• ISBN13: 9780764596599
• ISBN10: 0764596594
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-31
• Publisher: INGRAM PUB SERVICES

Summary

THE BOOK TO BRING HOME BEFORE YOU BRING HOME A SALTWATER AQUARIUM! This book is a great way to test the waters before you take the plunge. Saltwater aquariums are intriguing, mesmerizing, and relaxing. However, they do require a commitment of time and money. Are you up for the challenge? With this practical, hands-on guide, you'll know what to expect. You'll have information on choosing the aquarium, equipment, and fish; proper setup and maintenance; and more. Information and interactive features include: WORKSHEETS that help you make informed decisions QUESTIONS to help you determine if your family is ready for a saltwater aquarium CHARTS showing the time and money required for setting up and maintaining a 30-gallon tank or larger unit CHECKLISTS covering how to properly locate the aquarium, supplies needed, and more AIDS for creating a timetable and a stocking plan MAINTENANCE CHARTS to keep you organized RESOURCES to keep in a notebook with your maintenance logs, fish purchasing records, and more Bring Me Home! Saltwater Aquariums Make a Great Hobby covers feeding fish and invertebrates, common mistakes and how to avoid them, creating a reef habitat, and more. It's a reference you'll rely on again and again if you decide to dive into this rewarding hobby.

Author Biography

John H. Tullock holds a master’s degree in zoology.  From 1987 to 1995, he operated a retail and mail-order aquarium business featuring saltwater fish, invertebrates and everything necessary to maintain them in the home.  He is the founder of the American Marinelife Dealer Association and served on the steering committee that created the Marine Aquarium Council. He is the author of eight previous aquarium books, including Natural Reef Aquariums (TFH) and Your First Marine Aquarium (Barron’s).

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(2)
Are You Ready to Get a Saltwater Aquarium?	3	(8)
Lifestyle Impacts	3	(1)
Time Commitment	4	(1)
Financial Commitment	5	(4)
Learning Commitment	9	(1)
Is a Saltwater Aquarium Right for Your Family?	9	(2)
Designing Your Saltwater Aquarium	11	(30)
Planning Basics	11	(4)
Philosophy of the Natural Aquarium	15	(1)
Minireef or Fish-Only?	16	(3)
What You'll Need	19	(7)
What You May Want	26	(2)
Where to Find Equipment and Supplies	28	(3)
How to Recognize Quality Saltwater Fish	31	(2)
Getting Ready	33	(8)
Understanding How a Saltwater Aquarium Works	41	(6)
Physical and Chemical Cycles	41	(3)
Overview of the Coral Reef Environment	44	(2)
Let Nature Take Its Course	46	(1)
Stocking Your Tank I: Fish	47	(52)
The Best Home Aquarium Fish	47	(1)
Getting to Know Fish	48	(1)
Who Lives with Whom?	49	(4)
Saltwater Fish Families	53	(6)
Popular Species for Fish-Only Tanks	59	(17)
Reef-Compatible Fish Species	76	(19)
Some Fish to Avoid	95	(4)
Stocking Your Tank II: Invertebrates	99	(30)
Invertebrate Groups	99	(7)
Invertebrate Roles in the Aquarium Community	106	(1)
Live Rock	106	(2)
Live Sand	108	(1)
Utilitarian Invertebrates	108	(1)
Photosynthetic Invertebrates	109	(7)
Clownfish Host Anemones	116	(4)
Nonphotosynthetic Invertebrates	120	(4)
Seaweeds	124	(1)
Some Invertebrates to Avoid	125	(4)
Stocking Your Tank III: Putting It All Together	129	(8)
Developing a Stocking Plan	129	(1)
Some Examples to Get You Started	130	(4)
Create Your Own Stocking Plan	134	(3)
Setting Up Your Tank	137	(18)
Setting Up a Quarantine Tank	137	(2)
Basic Setup for a Small Tank	139	(5)
Accommodating an Anemone	144	(1)
Setting Up a Larger System	144	(2)
Acclimating New Arrivals	146	(2)
Creating a Fish-Only Tank	148	(6)
Creating a Reef Habitat	154	(1)
Keeping Your Aquarium Healthy	155	(26)
Avoiding Maintenance Headaches	155	(2)
Feeding Fish	157	(6)
Feeding Invertebrates	163	(2)
Water Changes	165	(1)
Mixing Synthetic Seawater	165	(1)
Water Tests	166	(7)
Equipment Maintenance	173	(2)
The ``Hurricane Effect''	175	(1)
Record Keeping	176	(1)
Family Aquarium Maintenance Routine	177	(4)
Keeping Your Fish and Invertebrates Healthy	181	(10)
Why Problems Happen	181	(1)
When Should I Medicate the Fish?	182	(4)
Invertebrate Parasites and Diseases	186	(5)
Special Considerations for Reef Tanks	187	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	188	(3)
Your Aquarium as Part of the Family	191	(6)
Daily Care	191	(1)
On Vacation	191	(1)
Relocating	192	(5)
Useful Resources	197	(6)
How to Use this Appendix	197	(1)
Equipment and Maintenance Record	198	(1)
Specimen Acquisition Record	199	(1)
Tank Sitter Journal	200	(1)
Fish Hospital Record	201	(1)
Saltwater Aquarium Log	202	(1)
Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates Sold for Home Aquariums	203	(14)
Glossary	217	(24)
Additional Saltwater Aquarium Resources	241	(1)
Periodicals	241	(1)
Organizations	242	(1)
Books	242	(2)
Coloring Page	244	(1)
Index	245