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Bring Me Home! Saltwater Aquariums Make a Great Hobby »

Book cover image of Bring Me Home! Saltwater Aquariums Make a Great Hobby by John H. Tullock

Authors: John H. Tullock
ISBN-13: 9780764596599, ISBN-10: 0764596594
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
Date Published: January 2006
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: John H. Tullock

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).

Book Synopsis

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction1
Chapter 1Are You Ready to Get a Saltwater Aquarium?3
Lifestyle Impacts3
Time Commitment4
Financial Commitment5
Learning Commitment9
Is a Saltwater Aquarium Right for Your Family?9
Chapter 2Designing Your Saltwater Aquarium11
Planning Basics11
Philosophy of the Natural Aquarium15
Minireef or Fish-Only?16
What You'll Need19
What You May Want26
Where to Find Equipment and Supplies28
How to Recognize Quality Saltwater Fish31
Getting Ready33
Chapter 3Understanding How a Saltwater Aquarium Works41
Physical and Chemical Cycles41
Overview of the Coral Reef Environment44
Let Nature Take Its Course46
Chapter 4Stocking Your Tank I: Fish47
The Best Home Aquarium Fish47
Getting to Know Fish48
Who Lives with Whom?49
Saltwater Fish Families53
Popular Species for Fish-Only Tanks59
Reef-Compatible Fish Species76
Some Fish to Avoid95
Chapter 5Stocking Your Tank II: Invertebrates99
Invertebrate Groups99
Invertebrate Roles in the Aquarium Community106
Live Rock106
Live Sand108
Utilitarian Invertebrates108
Photosynthetic Invertebrates109
Clownfish Host Anemones116
Nonphotosynthetic Invertebrates120
Seaweeds124
Some Invertebrates to Avoid125
Chapter 6Stocking Your Tank III: Putting It All Together129
Developing a Stocking Plan129
Some Examples to Get You Started130
Create Your Own Stocking Plan134
Chapter 7Setting Up Your Tank137
Setting Up a Quarantine Tank137
Basic Setup for a Small Tank139
Accommodating an Anemone144
Setting Up a Larger System144
Acclimating New Arrivals146
Creating a Fish-Only Tank148
Creating a Reef Habitat151
Chapter 8Keeping Your Aquarium Healthy155
Avoiding Maintenance Headaches155
Feeding Fish157
Feeding Invertebrates163
Water Changes165
Mixing Synthetic Seawater165
Water Tests166
Equipment Maintenance173
The "Hurricane Effect"175
Record Keeping176
Family Aquarium Maintenance Routine177
Chapter 9Keeping Your Fish and Invertebrates Healthy181
Why Problems Happen181
When Should I Medicate the Fish?182
Invertebrate Parasites and Diseases186
Special Considerations for Reef Tanks187
Frequently Asked Questions188
Chapter 10Your Aquarium as Part of the Family191
Daily Care191
On Vacation191
Relocating192
Appendix AUseful Resources197
How to Use this Appendix197
Equipment and Maintenance Record198
Specimen Acquisition Record199
Tank Sitter Journal200
Fish Hospital Record201
Saltwater Aquarium Log202
Appendix BSaltwater Fish and Invertebrates Sold for Home Aquariums203
Appendix CGlossary217
Appendix DAdditional Saltwater Aquarium Resources241
Periodicals241
Organizations242
Books242
Coloring Page244
Index245

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