The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freshwater Aquariums (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Rating:
Summary: Unusual!
Review: This book is poorly edited, has dreadful photos (mostly in black and white) and the author tries so hard to be funny at all times it can actually become quite annoying. I paid many times the original cover price for this used (but in excellent condition) book. And yet despite these facts I have to say it contains the very best information on setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium that I have ever seen or ever expect to see. This is THE book to buy when you are beginning fishkeeping and I still refer to it constantly even as I become more experienced. One warning though: The section on the selection of particlular fish species for your tank is weak. There are very few entries, very few pictures and very little information or insight offered. Why this section doesn't match the quality of the rest of the book is puzzling given Mr. Wickham's considerable knowledge. For information about the fish themselves you would be better to consider books by Dick Mills, Gina Sanford or the Baensch Aquarium Atlas series.

Rating:
Summary: You MUST buy this book if you're starting an aquarium
Review: WOW! This book was ESSENTIAL to our successful (and fun) entry into the world of fish and aquariums. Great tips, easy to follow directions and explanations of "what, why, when and why NOT", written in a funny (if somewhat corny) manner, this book is easy and fun to read. I actually found myself taking it on a trip - and trust me, I have NEVER taken a reference book on vacation unless I was expecting to work on vacation. So, this book gets five stars. Buy it used if you have to do so (we did). We bought five different aquarium books, and this one was the best, and we refer back to it often.

Rating:
Summary: You MUST buy this book if you're starting an aquarium
Review: WOW! This book was ESSENTIAL to our successful (and fun) entry into the world of fish and aquariums. Great tips, easy to follow directions and explanations of "what, why, when and why NOT", written in a funny (if somewhat corny) manner, this book is easy and fun to read. I actually found myself taking it on a trip - and trust me, I have NEVER taken a reference book on vacation unless I was expecting to work on vacation. So, this book gets five stars. Buy it used if you have to do so (we did). We bought five different aquarium books, and this one was the best, and we refer back to it often.