This book gives families a great way to test the waters before taking the plunge and getting a saltwater aquarium. It covers everything from set-up and equipment (including a filtration system and lighting) to monitoring the water and temperature, from selecting the fish to feeding and caring for them.
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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Introduction. Chapter 1: Are You Ready to Get a Saltwater Aquarium? Lifestyle Impacts. Time Commitment. Financial Commitment. Learning Commitment. Is a Saltwater Aquarium Right for Your Family? Chapter 2: Designing Your Saltwater Aquarium. Planning Basics. Philosophy of the Natural Aquarium. Minireef or Fish-Only? What You'll Need. What You May Want. Where to Find Equipment and Supplies. How to Recognize Quality Saltwater Fish. Getting Ready. Chapter 3: Understanding How a Saltwater Aquarium Works. Physical and Chemical Cycles. Overview of the Coral Reef Environment. Let Nature Take Its Course. Chapter 4 Stocking Your Tank I: Fish. The Best Home Aquarium Fish. Getting to Know Fish. Who Lives with Whom? Saltwater Fish Families. Popular Species for Fish-Only Tanks. Reef-Compatible Fish Species. Some Fish to Avoid. Chapter 5: Stocking Your Tank II: Invertebrates. Invertebrate Groups. Invertebrate Roles in the Aquarium Community. Live Rock. Live Sand. Utilitarian Invertebrates. Photosynthetic Invertebrates. Clownfish Host Anemones. Nonphotosynthetic Invertebrates. Seaweeds. Some Invertebrates to Avoid. Chapter 6: Stocking Your Tank III: Putting It All Together. Developing a Stocking Plan. Some Examples to Get You Started. Create Your Own Stocking Plan. Chapter 7: Setting Up Your Tank. Setting Up a Quarantine Tank. Basic Setup for a Small Tank. Accommodating an Anemone. Setting Up a Larger System. Acclimating New Arrivals. Creating a Fish-Only Tank. Creating a Reef Habitat. Chapter 8: Keeping Your Aquarium Healthy. Avoiding Maintenance Headaches. Feeding Fish. Feeding Invertebrates. Water Changes. Mixing Synthetic Seawater. Water Tests. Equipment Maintenance. The "Hurricane Effect". Record Keeping. Family Aquarium Maintenance Routine. Chapter 9: Keeping Your Fish and Invertebrates Healthy. Why Problems Happen. When Should I Medicate the Fish? Invertebrate Parasites and Diseases. Special Considerations for Reef Tanks. Frequently Asked Questions. Chapter 10: Your Aquarium as Part of the Family. Daily Care. On Vacation. Relocating. Appendix A: Useful Resources. How to Use this Appendix. Equipment and Maintenance Record. Specimen Acquisition Record. Tank Sitter Journal. Fish Hospital Record. Saltwater Aquarium Log. Appendix B: Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates Sold for Home Aquariums. Appendix C: Glossary. Appendix D: Additional Saltwater Aquarium Resources. Periodicals. Organizations. Books. Coloring Page. Index.
