Reddit reviews The Conscientious Marine Aquarist (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional)
We found 7 Reddit comments about The Conscientious Marine Aquarist (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Tfh Conscientous Marine Aquarist HandbookA leading advocate for the responsible collection and care of wild-caught specimensBob Fenner demystifies the process of planning, setting up, stocking, and managing a beautiful, thriving slice of the tropical ocean
Agreed, take your time and do it right. Don't try to rush the setup.
Before I started my tank everyone I knew told me I had to read this book cover to cover. Well worth it. Most people consider it to be the reef keepers bible.
I was planning on getting into the hobby for a few months before I finally did. I tried to do all the research I could, including reading online articles, browsing forums, and reading The Conscientious Marine Aquarist (which I highly recommend).
My first tank was a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. I made the stand myself over the course of a week - I had to rent a circular saw to cut the wood haha. They say that bigger is better when it comes to water volume, which is true (generally) but I think I went a bit overboard. I think a 30 gallon tank, possibly a biocube, is the perfect beginner size. Large enough to be stable, spacious, and interesting, not too small to be challenging, and just the right physical size.
Of course, nothing will ever truly prepare you for keeping a saltwater tank. It's one of the most demanding, rewarding, frustrating, and fascinating hobbies out there. Here are some things that really surprised me as a first timer:
That all being said, reefkeeping is a blast. Once you get your legs under you, it's incredibly awesome to keep a slice of the ocean in your home. I've learned bits of everything from chemistry to biology to electrical engineering to carpentry and more. A well-kept tank is a joy I could spend hours looking at.
Good luck!
It would be adequate, but not ideal. Get as big a tank as you can afford, both price-wise and size-wise. More volume means more stability, the ability to select larger fish specimens, and, overall, less headaches. Sumps are great and if you can afford the extra expense/setup time, you will never regret getting one. You can get another tank, maybe 15 gallon, and put your skimmer/heaters in there, as well as more rock. It's a great place to add supplements and increase your water volume.
Read and research all you can now. It's much harder to change things after you've got creatures living in your tank. Two great, essential books: http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Marine-Aquarium-Step-By-Step/dp/1890087521 and http://www.amazon.com/The-Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Professional/dp/1890087998
To hold you over until you get those books: http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm
The key here is patience. Yes, it's hard work, but most of the hard work is only at the beginning if you plan it right and don't rush it. Good luck! Feel free to ask me more questions.
I am going to recommend you start doing some extra research before you take on this.
Bulk Reef Supply has a series of videos that are full of information on the hobby. I'd recommend watching as many of them ( if not all of them ) that you can. Also a book I was recommended that I've currently been reading through "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"
The more you know going into this hobby, the better off you will be in the long run. You're attempting to create and maintain an ecosystem in your house / apartment / where ever this tank is located.
Starting new and diving right into trying to deal with a problematic tank might not be the best of ideas. As I don't currently have a tank setup yet take this opinion with a grain of salt, but I just can't see taking on a headache right out the gate.
Get this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Microcosm-Professional/dp/1890087998/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466776945&sr=8-1&keywords=the+conscientious+marine+aquarium
Read it from Cover to Cover. It's best advice anyone gave me when I first started 6 months ago.
1: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Professional/dp/1890087998
I think the first thing you should do is read about how the fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, etc are obtained. Learn about the different ways that they are harvested or captive bred and raised. You want to create a small part of the ocean, not destroy it.
Cyanide fishing for example is horrible for the ocean and you should learn the warning signs of a fish caught with that method so you can avoid it.
I know they are 'just fish' (or whatever else you have in your tank) but you really need to create the best environment possible for them- their life depends entirely on you. Do a lot of research before making a purchase; don't just buy something because you like the way it looks. Too many people buy fish because they're pretty, then the fish ends up suffering and dying because they didn't know how to properly take care of it.
Look into the price of not only the initial set up but maintenance of the tank. Since they are living creatures you can't just quit in the middle of it if you decide you won't have enough money.
This is a very good book to start learning.