What are the best reef reference books?

[derek_s]

I was looking for a good reference book on corals to use for ID, feeding, and recommending conditions such as light and flow.

This one was recommended by about.com:

Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by </em><u>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Eric%20H.%20Borneman">Eric H. Borneman</a>

</u></em>What books have you found indispensable?[I]</em>

 

[xyzpdq0121]

For corals?!? That book is about the best...

 

[liverock27]

+2 on the book.
I also have

 

[george]

Corals: Borneman's book.
For looking up inverts and fish you'll commonly find in stores: The one Drew mentioned above plus the fish version: http://www.amazon.com/PocketExpert-Guide-Marine-Fishes-Essential/dp/1890087386/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207145223&sr=1-1">A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes</a>
For an excellent guide on sand critters, refugiums, and marine invertebrates: [IMG]http://www.amazon.com/Reef-Invertebrates-Essential-Selection-Compatibility/dp/0967263034/ref=pd_sim_b_img_3/002-9046722-0287254">Reef Invertebrates</a>

I have also found [IMG]http://www.amazon.com/Reef-Aquarium-Science-Technology-Vol/dp/1883693144/ref=pd_sim_b_img_10">The Reef Aquarium: Science, Art, and Technology, Vol. 3</a> to be an excellent over-arching reference to all the different aspects of selecting and setting up a tank, the types of lights, plumbing, display effects, filtration, and just about everything but livestock. Quite good reading for planning your new/next tank.

 

[jonathan]

I just picked up "Book of Coral Propagation" by Anthony Calfo per Casper75's recommendation. It is definitely a good read.

 

[sshindell]

That is a GREAT book - and his new edition of Reef Invertebrates is a must read also.

 

[george]

SShindell;160824 wrote: and his new edition of Reef Invertebrates is a must read also.

Steve, what was added to the new edition of this book? I can't seem to find any 2nd edition.

 

[sshindell]

I just looked. The Reef Invertebrates is not a second edition. I was thinking about the Coral Propagation book - it was republished recently in hard cover and some materials were added.

 

[fishfiend]

Having worked in a store for so long my big thing is QUICK and easy reference. If I need to know what a coral is, where he needs to be placed in the tank and what he needs to be happy then Julian Sprung's books Corals </em>and Invertebrates</em> are must haves. They have lots of pictures for easy ID and each coral comes with:

Growth
Tank placement
Food Requirements
Basic skeletal structure and similar corals

There is also a graph for flow, lighting, hardiness, and aggressiveness.


Not great if you want real in depth science on each specimen, but great for when you get a new coral you aren't sure what to do with.