What are the "must have" reef-keeping books?

[TriedAndProven]

I'm a weirdo, I kinda enjoy a bookshelf of reference books. You should see my collection of fly fishing/fly tying books, and when I was brewing beer professionally, man, I had a full bookshelf. Now that I'm back into the salt world, my marine section is disturbingly bare.

So what are the essential reef keeping/fish/coral/invert references that everyone should have? I don't mind delving into the "hard" science, in fact, I'd prefer it. Bonus if they've been updated in the past decade or so.

 

[Untamedrose]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1...fl_title_14?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1G31V8EZLIGGE
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1...fl_title_13?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2KU58KW7UJOAU
https://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Cous...qid=1470709606&sr=1-3&keywords=ocean+Cousteau

Would be my recommendations...

 

[TriedAndProven]

https://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Cous...qid=1470709606&sr=1-3&keywords=ocean+Cousteau/QUOTE]

LOVE the Cousteau recommendation, I have a dozen or so of his books from my father who was a marine bio major and actually got to meet him a couple times.

 

[Untamedrose]

Its one of my all time fav books, had it since I was a little girl(like 6-7 I was going to go save all the dolphins. didnt work out) Not as nearly as practical as the other two, and some of info is very dated but I wouldnt have a marine book shelf without it

And thats very cool your dad got to meet him! Up there with meeting goodall or dawkins. lol

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Aquarium-Handbook-Beginner-Breeder/dp/0982026218

 

[WetWhistle]

This book has everything you need and is one of the best i have read. Has an interesting section on what and how corals feed and calcification.

https://www.amazon.ca/Aquarium-Cora..._SR137,160_&psc=1&refRID=2BZ8WS46MCBXJ65JMNHP

If you want something more in depth any of 'The Reef Aquarium:' series

Or if you want more advanced with a scientific approach try the 'The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium'. Love this series. It is a little dry for most and way more in depth then most people need. But i enjoy that so i loved them.

https://www.amazon.ca/Modern-Coral-...0755436&sr=1-1&keywords=the+modern+coral+reef

 

[JAWS 32]

I love to have books myself! I have a rather large collection of marine books.. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is a great overall book! I like the Scott Michael and Rudie Kuiter fish books as well. Also, the Modern Coral Reef Aquarium series is good too.. Lots to choose from! You can google books by publisher and see the many different types that might suit what you like. I have a bunch by "Microcosm and T.F.H". Good luck!

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I also like the Pocket Expert series

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/18...FMwebp_QL65&keywords=pocket+guide+marine+fish

There are other versions for Reef safe fish and for Invertebrates.

 

[Surfandturf]

Propagation-Gardening-Aquarists/dp/0980236509

 

[Surfandturf]

Propagation-Gardening-Aquarists/dp/0980236509

 

[Surfandturf]

Here is another good one

 

[Ljaus]

Here is another good one

+1 on the reef secrets it's what got me back into reefing.

This is another good one

 

[Sharvey103]

I personally like these in my collection in addtion to the ones already listed:
https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Coral-Reef-Aquarium-Vol 1 - 4
https://www.amazon.com/Reef-Aquarium- Vol 1 -3

 

[TriedAndProven]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations everyone!

 

[1979fishgeek]

I'm a weirdo, I kinda enjoy a bookshelf of reference books. You should see my collection of fly fishing/fly tying books, and when I was brewing beer professionally, man, I had a full bookshelf. Now that I'm back into the salt world, my marine section is disturbingly bare.

Me too! Total book worm, have to own every book possible on whatever subject I am interested in to a totally obsessive and bankrupting state.

Love love magazines too get huge amount of info from multiple supscriptions.

Coral Magazine is one of my favourites, also practical fishkeeper, ultra marine, tropical fish hobbiest.

Great thread, Amazon going to get some business from me tonight! lol

 

[klp]

Following

 

[Mpal771]

Books-I agree. Something about actually holding knowledge. That means your over 45.

The "real-time" knowledge is here. I use Evernote and stash links by tags. Nitrates, cyno, PAR, etc.. It's not as relaxing as a good book though.

I usually save anything posted by Randy (has a molecule for an avatar) The guy is off-the-hook on knowledge and experience. He should write a book....from a lay perspective!

Foundational understanding of reef keeping has changed so much in just the last 1 1/2 -2 years. Equipment, testing, time of day parameters, rock type, propagation...It wasn't that long ago if you heard someone say they had 0 nitrates/phosphates...they were exaggerating. Now those params are close to the norm!

 

[Untamedrose]

Anyone read this one?
What a Fish Knows
https://www.amazon.com/What-Fish-Knows-Underwater-Cousins/dp/0374288216

Looks interesting BUT whole reason I found it was the "the dark hobby" posted it on their FB page(an anti reefing, any fish keeping group). So concerned over that. Any thoughts?

 

[Surfandturf]

Youtube is also a great place to learn.