Nano Reef Aquariums. A Comprehensive Guide for the Nano Reef Hobbyist. By Albert J Thiel. A review by Les Melling.
First of all let me state I have known Albert Thiel for some years but have only recently been re acquainted with him. We go back to the 80s/90s when Albert visited the UK to undertake talks at various seminars. I won’t hide the fact that I helped with some of the information and photographs contained within Albert’s book. Most notably I introduced him to a device called the “Oxydator†some months ago which Albert now used in his own nano reef aquarium. I also provided a few photographs of corals taken from my own nano aquarium. I have been keeping reef tanks of one kind or another for over 30 years in which time I have had 7 aquariums of various sizes ranging from a 130 gallon sump system to a 10 gallon nano tank. My present aquarium is a 2’ cube with sump with 60 gallons capacity.Right enough about me what about Albert’s new book. I recall exchanging emails and PMs with Albert about currently available books on nano reefkeeping during which I informed Albert of the need for a new up to date dedicated nano reefkeeping book. What I believed was needed was a book for both the new nano reefkeeper and the more experienced in fact an all encompassing book leaving no stone unturned. What Albert has produced I believe is such a book with bang up to date information and written in his own style. The book is so easy to read and hard to put down which all good books should be in my opinion.
What Albert has done with his book is to mix what is known by many experienced reefkeepers with some of his own thoughts and findings with that of the likes of me and that of others. EG as Albert has done with the Oxydator which IMO is no bad thing esp. as Albert has tried and tested what others have introduced him to. Again as with Oxydators Albert has not simply taken somebody's word for something but he’s tried, tested and replicated things for himself. There is truly something for everyone there. Albert also has his own thriving nano reef on which he often tries new ideas out.
Nano Reef Aquariums is a great book and read no doubt about it. When I received my pre publication E.book version I tried to read it as both a beginner (difficult though that maybe lol) and as an experienced reefkeeper. I have and will continue to learn from this book and I am sure when I get to read it properly and not just gloss over it I will learn much more. Of course parts of the book are basic but then so what it needs to be as we all had to start somewhere.
You will find chapters ranging from suitable equipment and how to use it to foods and feeding, problems and diseases, suitable corals and compatible fish, reef chemistry, setting up and much much more in fact over 400 pages of text. The chapters on suitable fish and corals provide the reader with plenty to species to consider with what he/she would like in their nano reef. Each species discussed is accompanied with facts about placement, care feeding and husbandry.
A number of the fish and corals presented are kept in Albert’s own nano reef and are thriving. There are also some nice photographs accompanying the text of corals and fish and many shown have been taken of Albert’s own tank and that of other nano reefers he is friends or is acquainted with. There are also many other illustrations which add to the information provided to the reader as a picture is worth a thousand words. This is all done in a plain and easy to understand way.
Maybe the book leaves the door open for a "son of" book which will partner it someday with even more in depth writings on the various subjects but that is what Albert’s soon to be released newsletter will do and will compliment the book well.
IMO Albert has hit the right note by educating the beginner and enlightening and expanding the knowledge of the more advanced reefer. It can be difficult to strike the balance but Albert has a good understanding of such having written quite a number of dedicated reefkeeping books in the past. BTW they are well worth seeking out even if they were written some years ago as much of the in depth information contained within is still very relevant to today’s reefkeepers no mean feat that.
The hobby moves so fast at times and yet the basics remain the same. I am sure this book will be a good seller. The book is currently available at a greatly reduced pre publication price till the end of the month. If you order it now you will not only get a hard copy but also the E.version and a subscription to Albert’s nano reef news letter which will keep you up to date with what’s new in nano reefkeeping.
Les Melling. March 2013.
