ichthyoid;415108 wrote: There are a LOT of additives for sale in this hobby Everything from the essential to snake oil (not literally). Find a good local fish store that is willing to take the time to help you learn now (they will be rewarded for their investment later, when you buy products and livestock), and not just want to sell you something now. For now use water changes and good filtration to maintain your water quality as much as possible. This will give you some time to learn more about the chemistry and biology that you will need to become an advanced hobbyist. Get a good book or two and read, read, read as much as you can. My favorite beginners book is http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9780939960057/The_Marine_Aquarium_Reference_Systems_and_Invertebrates.html"><span style="color: #000080">The Marine Aquarium Reference: Systems and Invertebrates</span></a> by [IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Martin_A_Moe.html"><span style="color: #000080">Martin A. Moe</span></a>
<u><span style="color: #810081">[IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9780939960057/The_Marine_Aquarium_Reference_Systems_and_Invertebrates.html">http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9780939960057/The_Marine_Aquarium_Reference_Systems_and_Invertebrates.html</a></span></u>
<span style="color: black">Yes, it's a little dated, but Martin writes like no other IMO. He will lead you down the path to a good knowledge of the oceans as naturally as you would drink a glass of cool water. Inexpensive too.</span>
For a more advanced read, I like:
<span style="color: #003399">The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates <span style="color: #000000">by </span>[IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Julian_Sprung.html"><span style="color: #000080">Julian Sprung</span></a><span style="color: #000000">, </span>[IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/author/J_Charles_Delbeek.html"><span style="color: #000080">J. Charles Delbeek</span></a><span style="color: #000000">, </span>[IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Charles_Delbeek.html"><span style="color: #000080">Charles Delbeek</span></a>
[IMG]http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9781883693121/The_Reef_Aquarium_A_Comprehensive_Guide_to_the_Identification_and_Care_of_Tropical_Marine_Invertebrates.html">http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9781883693121/The_Reef_Aquarium_A_Comprehensive_Guide_to_the_Identification_and_Care_of_Tropical_Marine_Invertebrates.html</a></span>
<span style="color: #003399"><span style="color: black">The most important thing you will EVER put into you tanks is:</span></span>
<span style="color: #003399"><span style="color: blue">[B]Patience[/B]</span></span>
<span style="color: #003399"><span style="color: black">Good luck!</span></span>[/QUOTE]
I have that book on my bookshelf right now. Theres a bunch of good DIY info in there also.
