Jhale had a great idea about doing a book club in Kedd's thread and I though that this might be an interesting way to share knowledge with the MR community. If anyone has books that they would be willing to swap with other members (either permanently or temporarily) or wants to tell everyone what they think of a book post them here.

These are the books I have (I'm probably missing a few) that I'd be willing to trade on a temporary basis.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists
This is one of the first books I read, and though it's not the be all and end all of books, I think it was probably one of the best books I could've started with. Everything is very clearly presented, without going into too much of the complexity you'll deal with later. It covers almost all of the basics you'll need to start a tank, and useful reference material for once your tank is up.

Natural Reef Aquariums: Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Saltwater Microcosms
This book is a great follow up to the last one and goes into more detailed information on the different methods of setting up a tank. I wouldn't advise reading this as an introduction to reefkeeping, but I found it very useful once my tank was running for a bit and I had a better understanding of what was going on in my tank. It also has some amazing tanks and what the owners of these tanks use to keep them running.

The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide
Ok, this is a very quick read and is not very detailed at all, but overall a decent book if read in conjunction with other books. It does contain some nice checklists for setting up a new tank and covers the basic needs of a saltwater setup.

Keeping Moray Eels In Aquariums
Not a great book overall, but had some useful information if you plan on keeping eels. I found that much of this book covered non eel specific items already covered in most other reef books.


These books I carry with me every time I go to a fish store, so I wouldn't trade them, but will review them.

Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species
A must have for every reefkeeper. This book gets opened every time I see a fish I like. It contains invaluable information on many common and uncommon fish and should be in everyone's library.

A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species
Although not as comprehensive as the fish book, this is also an excellent reference for anyone keeping inverts in their tank. Also a must have book in my opinion.

[jhale]

I'll list my books from small to large

descriptions to come later...

Albert J Theiel 1991
Ten Easy Steps
to a great looking saltwater aquarium
problem solving your saltwater and reef tank

Eugene H. Kaplan 1982
Peterson Field Guides
Coral Reefs

Ewald Lieske & Robert Myers 1999
Coral Reef Fishes

Dr.Herbert Axelrod & Dr. Warren E. Burgess 1985
Salt water aquarium fish

Dr. Patrick L.Colin 1988
Marine Invertebrates and Plants of the Living Reef

Jerry G. Walls 1982
Encyclopedia of Marine Invertebrates

John H. Tullock 1999
Natural Reef Aquariums

Angelo Mojetta, Andrea & Antonella Ferrari 2000
Beauty of the Coral Reefs

Hillary Hauser 1984
Book of Marine Fishes

Dr. Cliff W.Emmens 1988
Marine Fishes and Invertebrates in your own home

Dr. Elizabeth M. Wood 1983
Corals of the World

DR. Burgeess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes Second Edition 1990

[bad coffee]

Reef aquarium fishes quick pocket guide
Reef fishes Vol 1 --Scott michaels
Aquarium Corals -Borneman
Dr Burgess's marine atlas
Reef Invertabrates --Calfo and Fenner
Modern coral reef aquarium Vol 1
Natural reef Aquariums --Tullock
Clownfishes --Joyce Wilkerson
Clownfishes --Stratton

www.amazon.com has some good reviews.

[Kedd]

Aquarium Corals Borneman
Corals of the world Vol 1,2,3 Jen Veron
Modern coral reef aquarium
Natural reef Aquariums Tullock
Clownfishes Joyce Wilkerson

A few more I'll edit in when they are returned.

[jhale]

if people post books here it would be great if they could take a few minutes and give some descriptions and a thumbs up or down.

Eric see Al's thread, I think having a thread for each book we discuss makes sense.

[Henrye]

The Concientous Marine Aquariast great book until my dog ate it

The Reef Aquarium Vols. I, II, III I find even the early volumes very helpful

Reef Fishes Vols. I & II. Excellent information on the classes covered, but I'm still waiting for the volumes on the fish I actually keep

Reef Invertibrates by Calfo & Fenner Nice resource. Headed me off from some really stupid invert purchases.

Aquarium Corals by Borneman Good info. Could have been a bit more in depth.

The New Marine Aquarium by Paletta somewhat dated and simplified, but a good way to plan for a first tank (although new lighting, filtration, etc., are not there)

The Nano-reef Handbook by Brightwell I had high hopes for this, but it turned out to be too generic, and actually not that focused on nanos.

On my list to get, The Modern Reef Aquarium set by Fossa & Nilsen, Reef Secrets by same, Natural Reef Aquarium by Tullock

Henry

[digitalreefer]

Henrye... I would love to borrow any of the Reef Aquarium Volumes... (especially the latest) I'd gladly swap a book of mine if you want, or otherwise, return your book promptly after reading it. Let me know if we can swap. Thanks!

[Henrye]

Happy to loan it. PM sent.

[digitalreefer]

C'mon people... I know more of you have books on reefs. If you're willing to swap books, great! If not, how about a review of a book you've read... this may help us choose books for the new book club as well.

As for the books already posted... what did you guys think of them?

[LeslieS]

I find these books very helpful. They were great for getting me started, and informative enough that I will continue to use them as my skills improve.

Aquarium Keeping and Rescue
the essential saltwater handbook and log
by Carl DelFavero
ISBN 1-890087-49-1

this book is for super beginner but I love it because it has a very easy to follow trouble shooting guide in the back and all the reef chemistry is very basic and easy to find.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist
a commonsense handbook for successful saltwater hobbyists
by Robert M. Fenner
ISBN 1-890087-03-3

I love this book. In addition to setup, lighting, rock, substrate, and diseases, it has a great section on fish and invertebrates.

A Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium
A definitive reference to more than 300 marine fish and invertebrate species
By Nick Dakin with Foreword by Julian Sprung

Another of my favorite books. It has a good basic section on tank set up with the section on light being very informative and easy to follow. The section on fish and invertebrates is really excellent.

OK, the following books are good for ID and deciding what you want in your tank. I bring them to the fish store with me :-)

Corals
a quick reference guide
by Julian Sprung
ISBN 1-883693-09-8

Marine Fishes
A Pocket Exper Guide
500+ essential-to-know aquarium species
ISBN 1-890087-38-6

Marine Invertebrates
A Pocket Expert Guide
500+essential to know aquarium species
ISBN1-890087-66-1