Product Description

At 400 pages, this first volume of the Natural Marine Aquarium series takes a comprehensive look at the wide range of wondrous organisms both large and small for modern marine aquaria. Topics include extensive refugium and natural filtration methodologies, dynamic living vegetable and animal filters, and... of course, gorgeous photo galleries and information on husbandry for all the magnificent reef invertebrates suitable for study and display including shrimp, crabs, sea stars, live sand infauna, microcrustaceans & plankton, sponges, sea squirts, gastropods, giant clams and other bivalves, and much more! Heavily illustrated, this reference is handsome, entertaining and above all informative. Written by the highly regarded team of Anthony Calfo and Robert Fenner, the authors bring their humor, wisdom and talent for the art of content provision to the reader with their uniquely humble yet passionate style of delivery. It is an essential guide for every conscientious marine aquarist seeking to finesse their fish or reef aquarium.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78432 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
"This [book] fills the single biggest void in today's hobbyist's bookshelf." -- Rick Preuss, Preuss Pets, Michigan 2003

About the Author
Anthony Calfo was born in Hawaii and lives in Pennsylvania. He is a lifelong aquarist and an aquarium industry professional that has worked the better part of the last decade as a commercial coral farmer and wholesaler, producing cultured reef invertebrates in a greenhouse environment for the ornamental and zoological trade. He has authored the reef aquarium titles, "Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1" (ReadingTrees.com), "Reef Invertebrates", and articles for print and electronic journals at large. Anthony travels frequently to visit organizations and clubs to present information on the aquatic sciences. He co-founded the Pittsburgh Marine Aquarist Society with the inimitable Bob Dolan. Schooled at Carnegie-Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, he has a BA in English Literature.

Robert (Bob) Fenner has "lived" the science, hobby and business of aquatics in the Philippines, Japan and United States in all phases: collection, wholesale, jobber, retail, design, construction and maintenance. Academic experience includes eleven years of college, a couple of life science degrees and a teaching credential for chemistry, physics and biology. Published works include several studies on aquatic biological and chemical questions, and an extensive publishing and photographic background in the industry and hobby of aquatics. Today he is a world-renowned photographer, speaker and trade consultant eager to chat with, enlighten and be enlightened by anyone who shares a passion for life. Much of his time each day is dedicated to the free-content, educational site - wetwebmedia.com where he leads a goodwill crew writing articles and answering queries for fellow aquarists with the intent of improving the success of hobbyists and the quality of life for their charges.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive, Complete, Easy to Read
I'm new to coral reef keeping - and have been voraciously reading a dozen+ books on all aspects of reef husbandry. Calfo and Fenner's book on Reef Invertebrates is both a beautiful pictorial of reefs and invertebrates and is a very comprehensive guide to reef keeping water husbandry.

I was surprised and amazed at the thorough and complete description of approaches to the essential aspects of reef husbandry. After an introductory section on water quality, additives, tank sizing there is the very best reference I've found on the potential goals and approaches to refugiums. This leads into a beautifully photographic essay on macro and micro algae - giving clear advice on balancing the choices of species.

I was completely engrossed in this so clearly written treatise on tank water quality approaches that I was surprised that the first detailed discussion of "invertebrates" was the better part of a 1/3 into the book!

The rest of the book is largely based on the various genuses of invertebrates that you could consider having in your tank. Again, complete and comprehensive, and especially clear on what will leave your corals alone and what will feast on them, what eats what, water quality requirements by species, diet requirements by species, etc. For almost every family there is a picture. For every species pictured there is at least a small paragraph near the picture describing the husbandry required to have the invertebrate thrive...and often the better part of a chapter when there are a number of varieties of approaches or animals.

This is the best reef book in my library.

Outstanding Practical Guide
This is a great book with scores of wonderful color photos. It is not an encyclopedia of every known marine invertebrate. Rather, it is a practical guide to keeping the non-coral invertebrates that aquarists are likley to encounter & consider for their saltwater tanks.

The book is a sturdy, large-format (81/2 X 11), quality-bound paperback with nice glossy paper and beautiful color pix. It is packed with useful, accessible information.

One of the best aspects of this book is the addition of extensive chapters on natural filtration, refugia, live rock and deep sand beds.

This book is a must for any marine aquarist, not just reefers. Well worth the $.

The best marine/coral/invert book ever!!!
I am simply amazed at the depth, clarity and insight this book provides. Do not be thrown off by the lack of information on corals and fish. Everything else immaginable is covered. From refugiums to plankton , this is in depth , easy to read sound advice. The authors have two more books in the series that are in the works on fish & corals. This first book is a monster and an excellent reference for those of us who hunger for knowledge in this area. It is packed with in formation, photos and humor!

Do not wait to get this book. Get it now!