Rating: 
Summary: you got to have it!
Review: Even though I am not a profesional fish keeper, but through reading the whole book I got all the knowlege that I need to keep my fish profesionally! I love the book. I can always find answer out of the book. The whole chapter donated to the water chemistry really help me out. I love the book! I also got the idiot's guide for Saltwater aqarium!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST have for aquarium hobbyists! Truly a fun read!
Review: I was a serious aquarium hobbyist for several years in the late 80s. Having recently decided to return to the hobby I wanted to freshen my knowledge with updated information. Mike's book was EXACTLY what I was looking for! It's a well-written, informative, book that covers everything one needs to know to set up and maintain a freshwater aquarium. The best part is the way it is organized and written. Mike has grouped the topics in an easy to follow, clear and concise format that is not too technical and never boring like a lot of aquarium books. He has included sidebars with pertinent information (and a few funnies thrown in) and he summarizes the key points at the beginning and end of each chapter. This book is a MUST have for anyone who is considering an aquarium. Truly a FUN read!
Rating:
Summary: This should be required reading for beginner aquarists!
Review: If only I had bought this book a few weeks earlier. I am a newcomer to this fishkeeping business and set up my first aquarium (125 gal.) with the help of some "expert" friends who have been doing this for years. I expected to lose some of my first fish during the "break in cycle", but did they all have to be the really expensive ones? If I would have had Mike's book beforehand, not only would I have saved myself some serious money, but my new-found fish friends would have been much happier too!Thanks to Mike Wickham for writing a book that is concise, easy to read, extremely informative and simple to understand and apply (not to mention being humorous along the way). It covers a wide range of topics; from equipment selection to water chemistry to fish diseases, to mention just a few. It provides you with enough information so that you can comfortably select exactly what will work best for your individual needs. With his help, even the beginning idiot (like me) can create and maintian a healthy and beautiful environment for our new aquatic family.
Rating:
Summary: Tons of info and FUN too!
Review: if you are inexperienced with aquariums, you must purchase this book before you do ANYHTING! The author doesn't load you down with fish-geek formula...instead, he brings you through practical steps of setting up an aquarium, and explains the logic behind them. He explains how to care for your tank, what products are best, etc., etc...i would have done everything wrong without this book! Again, it is a must that you own this book if you are a beginner in this hobby...thanks Mike.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...Simply the Best!
Review: In starting in the aquarium hobby, a friend suggested I read what he called "A really good book for beginners." Well, before I bought a thing, I read the entire book, each and every page. It turned out that I could correct problems before they became problems! Now that I have owned my aquarium for two years and have become more experienced, I suggest this book to others. If I were to own only one book about aquariums and fish, this would definately be it! Thanks to Mike for this interesting and easy to understand book... I flew through it and learned something new with each page!
Rating:
Summary: The "bible" of aquarium resources! A must for the beginner.
Review: My husband-to-be and I purchased an aquarium for my daughter a few months ago. We soon ran into a host of problems. First, the water remained cloudy. Then, the tank had a smell. We loved having a lot of fish -- then all of a sudden we started losing them. We couldn't understand what the problem was and my fiance was on the verge of forgetting the whole aquarium idea -- until I purchased Mike's book. Within a few minutes, we established the problem -- overfeeding, too many fish, and too high ammonia levels -- and were able to take quick corrective action. Plus, this book is literally packed with information about plants, test kits, filters, and even the best fish to buy. Now our aquarium is beautiful...and I've come to love my new hobby!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent beginner-intermediate level book
Review: The author has a lively and enjoyable way of expressing everything that makes you finish the book in no time. I bought this book recently prior to setting out to purchase my first aquarium and I can now say it was the best thing I could have done! This is an excellent book for a novice, and covers everything from the considerations that go into buying an aquarium to the care and maintenance that come later. It helps you choose the type of the aquarium, the filter, heater etc as well as recommending easy, beginner fish and plants to choose from, and much, much more...
Rating:
Summary: Accurate information and fun, too
Review: The author is definitely a nut--just look at his photo on the back. But HE KNOWS HIS STUFF. Don't believe me? Read the reviews of "Aquariums for Dummies" and see what experienced fishkeepers and hobbyists have to say about that book. Now look what we have to say about THIS book. This book will not lead you astray. It will answer all of the questions you have in the first year of becomming addicted to the fishkeeping hobby, should that be your destiny. Aquarium stores should keep this book in stock and offer it as a package deal with new set-ups. I discovered this book only after I spent a year harassing my local fish store with question upon question. They got their revenge by hiring me 2 years later. I've recommended this book to customers several times.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate information and fun, too
Review: The author is definitely a nut--just look at his photo on the back. But HE KNOWS HIS STUFF. Don't believe me? Read the reviews of "Aquariums for Dummies" and see what experienced fishkeepers and hobbyists have to say about that book. Now look what we have to say about THIS book. This book will not lead you astray. It will answer all of the questions you have in the first year of becomming addicted to the fishkeeping hobby, should that be your destiny. Aquarium stores should keep this book in stock and offer it as a package deal with new set-ups. I discovered this book only after I spent a year harassing my local fish store with question upon question. They got their revenge by hiring me 2 years later. I've recommended this book to customers several times.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: The author is right on target with everything. He writes in plain, no-nonsense language that anyone can understand. The book is very helpful and covers the entire process of setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium. Note that this book is primarily targeted at people who have never had an aquarium before. Even though the language is geared toward the "beginner" I still have learned alot and quite enjoyed the book. The only area I would take issue with is his continued suggestion to deal with experienced aquarium dealers. Maybe since he is one himself. This might be preferrable when buying livestock but is definitely a mistake when buying equipment such as filters, pumps, etc. Retail stores are much more expensive to buy from than on the Internet. While a beginner would benefit from a dealer's advice the novice should read up first and then buy on-line. Even with shipping and handling I save over 50% minimum compared to retail stores. Forget the fish dealer. Anyway I highly recommend this book to the beginner and anyone else. You can never have enough fish information and this book is a pleasure to read.
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