Product Description

The allure of the natural aquarium is that it is both a spectacularly beautiful and all-natural environment - the ideal backdrop for an aquarium of colorful fish . The plants and accessories needed to create a natural aquarium are more abundant than ever, giving aquarium hobbyists may more choices.

This book explores the full range of natural aquarium possibilities, and with its abundance of full-color photos and drawings makes setting up and lm maintaining the design of choice as simple(and successful) as possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #412542 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 141 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780764561412
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Publisher
The allure of the natural aquarium is that it is both a spectacularly beautiful and all-natural environment - the ideal backdrop for an aquarium of colorful fish . The plants and accessories needed to create a natural aquarium are more abundant than ever, giving aquarium hobbyists may more choices.

From the Back Cover
A fascinating world tour of natural biotopes and how to recreate them in the aquarium. Using clear text, location views and photographs of the ingredients and the finished results, the book explains how to put together aquarium displays that reflect twelve different natural environments, ranging from a mountain stream to a mangrove swamp. Each chapter also presents a selection of fishes suitable for that aquarium. The book provides practical guidance on all aspects of aquascaping, from choosing substrates, rocks and wood to selecting and positioning aquarium plants.

About the Author
Gina Sandford is a well-known and highly regarded author on aquarium care.

Customer Reviews

Compared to a Newer Version
I'm going to start off by saying that this book is basically an older version of "Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature", by the same author. This being said I'm going to compare the two in this review.

Both books are for anyone who has wanted to turn their aquarium from a mix and match display to a strict biotope aquarium. They are divided in two parts, the first is a "practical section" that covers the water cycle, substrates and decoration, plants, water conditions and planning. Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature (ADIBN) goes into some detail on the subjects but doesn't go as far as a textbook and make it boooooring. It is good information for aquarists of all levels. In the book, "Creating a Natural Aquarium" (CANA), the same information is covered in Part 1, but to a lesser degree and CANA omits some small sections. Part 1 of both books is really very similar and I wouldn't choose one based on the small differences. The important factor, in my opinion, the differences in part 2.

Part 2 of ADIBN covers more biotopes than CANA, which I will list below. The biotopes that are in both books are virtually the same. I this list I will list the biotope sections and then which book it is in.

Mountain Stream (CANA) split up in ADIBN
*Chinese Mountain Stream (ADIBN)
Central American Stream (BOTH)
Central American River (BOTH)
Australian River (BOTH)
European River (BOTH)
*European Lake (ADIBN)
Flooded Forest (CANA) Same as Below
Flooded Amazon Forest (ADIBN)
Amazon Acid Pool (Both)
*Downriver Amazon (ADIBN)
*Congo Whitewater River (ADIBN)
*West African Streambed (ADIBN)
Lake Malawi (BOTH)
Darkened Cave (BOTH)
*Southeast Asian Stream (ADIBN)
Southeast Asian Swamp (BOTH)
*Indian River (ADIBN)
Brackish Estuary (BOTH)
Mangrove Swamp (BOTH)

Personally I prefer Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature because it includes a few extra biotypes and goes into a little more depth about each biotype. Aquarium Designs... is also a larger book so there are more pictures and they are larger. Aquarium Designs... uses the pictures from Creating a Natural Aquarium and adds a few. I like pictures, so this personal preference.

CONCLUSION:
If you want a little more detail and a few extra biotopes then go with AQUARIUM DESIGNS INSPIRED BY NATURE. If cost is a factor CREATING A NATURAL AQUARIUM is usually cheaper, or if you don't really care about the extra details left out CANA is equally as good as ADIBN. Both books are helpful in pointing you in the right direction and showing natural habitats. No matter which you pick you will be happy. (I Hope) These are the best books I have found (so far) that describe natural environments for the home aquarium. GOOD LUCK!

GREAT BOOK
This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in Biotope tanks, or just a healthy habitat for your fish. It give in detail instructions and ideas, for biotopes from every part of the world, along with list of fish and plants for the tanks as well, its had many pictures to help you. and even goes into detail about kinda of substrates, filtration and other things. all the tanks in the book are built in 55gallon tanks, but can be made smaller. It even explains the different biotopes. if you having trouble finding info on any type of biotope this book is well worth the small investment, even with just one use it will pay for itself in the time you save. I very highly recommend this book to everyone, beginner or expert.

great book
this is a great book for planning out your aquarium and plants...note this book does not have very much if any info on fish