Books


	Reef Secrets, by Alf Jacob Nilsen and Svein A. Fossa An easy to follow approach to the setting up and stocking a reef aquarium. Readers will learn how to select fishes, corals, and other invertebrates, the secrets of good water quality, aquascaping, reef maintenance and much more. Over 100 pages of encyclopedia listings of fishes and invertebrates commonly available to the marine aquarist. $40.00


Algae: Problem Solvers Guide Julian Sprung focuses on the variety of algae that commonly become problematic in marine aquariums. Includes details on how to control and eliminate problem algae through the modification of the husbandry practices and the use of specific herbivores. Available only in soft cover. $21.00


	Clown Fishes in the Aquarium Unlike other clownfish titles, author Gregory Skomal has written a book that allows all aquarists, from novice to expert, to gain a better understanding of these endearing reef fishes. "Clownfishes in the Aquarium" will surely be an invaluable guide to the successful long-term reef-keeping of these fishes. $20.00


Reef Invertebrates, by Anthony Calfo & Robert Fenner This book explores the broad variety of invertebrate organisms that reef aquarists often keep and the frequently encountered "hitchhikers" on live rock, sand and corals are also addressed. Complete coverage of individual selection, system planning, and long term care of these organisms is combined with taxonomic information. $40.00


	Corals: A Quick Reference Guide, by Julian Sprung Corals contains a complete pictorial reference to hundreds of common as well as more obscure coral species. Sprung's book is extremely useful to marine aquarists in that it details the type of foods required, the lighting needs, and the proper tank placement for each species. $38.00


Invertebrates: A Quick Reference Guide, by Julian Sprung This essential guide for aquarists contains incredible vivid color photos as well as detailed information on hundreds of species from reef ecosystems around the world. Sprung defines the invertebrate groups and gives brief information about their structure and natural habitat. $38.00


	Marine Fishes, by Scott W. Michael This comprehensive guide includes listings and photographs for over 500 species. What sets this book apart from the rest is its very informative guides on captive care and feeding as well as aquarium suitability ratings. Soft cover, 448 pages. $30.00


The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, by Robert M. Fenner Fenner demystifies the planning, setting up, and managing of a marine aquarium. Beautifully photographed, this book sets new standards for the selection and care of captive fishes and invertebrates. Hard cover, 430 pages. $45.00


	Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide, by Gerald Allen & Roger Steene From the shores of Hawaii to the Red Sea and all points between this comprehensive volume is designed for divers, beach combers, marine aquarists, or just plain nature lovers. Containing 1,800 color illustrations, it provides quick and easy identification of commonly encountered coral reef organisms from seaweeds to dolphins. Soft cover, 378 pages. $40.00


Marine Invertebrates, by Ron Shimek This essential, concise reference guide includes listings and photographs for over 500 species. This authoritive, up-to-date book covers captive care and feeding advice for all marine hobbyists. Also covers all popular and commonly available marine invertebrates. Soft cover, 448 pages. $35.00


	Reef Fishes, Volume I, by Scott W. Michael Reef Fishes represents more than 10 years of research and underwater photography. This volume provides an introduction to coral reef habitats and fish families as well as photographs, natural biology, feeding, reproduction, and captive care information. 620 pages. $55.00


The Reef Aquarium, Volume 2, by Charles Delbeek & Julian Sprung When the Reef Aquarium Volume 1 was published, it was hailed as "The Bible" for reef keeping. Now there's a completely new Reef Aquarium book, The Reef Aquarium Volume 2. Includes information on coral identification and propagation. Over 500 photos; hard cover, 546 pages. $77.00

~ Bulkheads: When installing bulkheads, use a silicone lubricant (or even Vaseline) on the bulkhead's gasket on the side that will touch the glass. When tightening the bulkhead, the nut will grip the glass and the silicone will allow the rest of the bulkhead to be turned by hand to get a very tight seal. You can hold the bulkhead by the threaded end to get a good grip on it. No tools are needed to tighten a bulkhead.

~ Water quality: Water changes, water changes, water changes. No matter how good your filtration is, water changes are a must. I do about a 25% water change on my 75 gallon reef every 2 weeks. No matter how clear you think your tank's water is, you'll always see an improvement after a water change. Great filtration is also a must. I always use filters rated for tanks larger than the ones I'm using them on. Spend the money and get good filtration.

~ Water clarity: I use large bags of carbon in my 110 gallon cichlid tank, and I can't express enough what a dramatic difference this makes. The water is so clear that it looks blue!! ... with just a regular florescent light. I use a couple of pounds of carbon in this tank's sump. Note: You may or may not want to use carbon in your saltwater tanks depending on the inhabitants.

~ If you have the money, I highly recommend buying an extra water pump for your sump/wet dry filter/refugium to just keep around for when your pump fails. I've had the luxury of having plenty of water pumps sitting around, so if one of mine dies, I just pop the new one out of the box and hook it up. This may not sound like a bid deal, but when you're reef tank's refugium return pump dies at 11 o'clock at night and you don't have another pump, this is a problem and is NOT fun!!! The amount of stress that the extra pump saves you is reason alone to have one sitting around!! All water pumps have a shelf life; so it's not a question of if it will fail, but when.

~ Extra ballast: For the same reasons mentioned above for an extra water pump, if you have the money, having an extra ballast for your reef lights is another good idea. Since most of us shop on-line to get our water pumps, ballasts, etc. cheaper than local fish stores, if a water pump or ballast goes out and you order another on-line, you'll be without for a week waiting for the new one to arrive!! And if you're going to pay for next day air, you just defeated the purpose of buying it online to save money.

~ Noisy drains: Drains that are slightly too small for the amount of water being pushed thru them can be noisy. Air trying to rush down the drain with the water can make a 'flushing noise.' An easy way to fix this is to put a ball valve somewhere on the drain line. Use the ball valve to create a small amount of back-pressure, which causes the water to back up in the drain line. Once the water is backed up enough to have the line completely filled with water and void of air, the noise will stop.