Age old question

[jdhaines]

Im sure this gas been asked many times, but for a noob like me what is a good starter book or resource that covers all the basics. Like water changes, bacteria, ph levels, lighting, plants, filters.

I have a 75 gal fw tank with a red tip shark, chinese algae eater and looking to dive in deep!

[Darbex]

All the above depends upon what you want to keep. Ie. what type of fish you want and what type of plants and how high tech do you want to go.

[myjohnson]

google

[Mzungu]

I'm not positive of the title, but David Borukowitz (I'll check the spelling later, too, lol) wrote a book called The Super Simple Guide to FW Aquariums, or something. That, IMO, is the best one out there for beginners, and it explains everything in very simple, easy to understand terms.

[jdhaines]

Re: Age old question

Well for starters keeping a few varieties of fw fish as well as basic tank planting. Once ive got the basics down i can branch out. But it would be great to be constantly looking back at a single resource for that.

[Mzungu]

Not sure if the book I mentioned has a lot about plants, but I definitely recommend it for literally everything else.

[jdhaines]

Re: Age old question

Im gonna go out and pick that up thanks

[cichlid1409]

google

+1

there are so many forums and a wealth of information on the internet especially for beginners no books are really necessary...

[Mzungu]

+1

there are so many forums and a wealth of information on the internet especially for beginners no books are really necessary...

Wow, I totally don't agree. I think that a published writer (not to mention long-time fishkeeper and editor of one of the most well known aquarium magazines) is much more accurate and trustworthy than any of the carp you can find on google. But I do agree that forums can save your life, and those of your fishes!!

[myjohnson]

Books are good but can get a bit dated fast.

Forums are great IMHO, the real time response to a problem is unmatched.

Google wins for me b/c it's free and I'm poor.

[cichlid1409]

Wow, I totally don't agree. I think that a published writer (not to mention long-time fishkeeper and editor of one of the most well known aquarium magazines) is much more accurate and trustworthy than any of the carp you can find on google.

blasphemy!!

i do own a couple books that are just collecting dust. although i did use them alot when i first started out, mainly because that was 10 years ago and i didn't have internet at the time.

mzungu, i think your just as trust worthy as some dumb 'published writer'

[Mzungu]

Thanks, Mike. But I read a lot, too.

Here's a link to the book I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Guide-Fresh-Water-Aquariums/dp/0793821010/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269103649&sr=1-13

Apparently it has a second edition now, too! (So as not to be outdated, Thai. )

http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Guide-Freshwater-Aquariums-Second/dp/0793821223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269103738&sr=1-1

[jdhaines]

Re: Age old question

Bought the book. Cant put it down so far. Thanks for the tip. The internet is great but nothing beats solid knowledge all in one place

[Mzungu]

Awesome! Glad you're enjoying it.

[riofrio]

Both schools of thought are correct, in that you can learn from a lot of sources. After more than fifty years of fish keeping, I know very welll that the more you learn the better, and the more you learn the more you will realize what you don't know. NEVER stop learning, and when somebody acts as if he/she knows everything listen respectfully and take it with a grain of salt.It never hurts to get a second opinion. Take it slow , learn as you go and don't jump into expensive fish til you master the easier things... & Good Luck... ENJOY