[LeslieS]

Our first book will be The Conscientous Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner. We will try to notify each author as we review their books.

Click here to read the entire

[Harif87]

I think the book club is a good idea because that way the more we read, the more members will be on the same page.

[LeslieS]

Quote: What are we trying to accomplish with the book club? Is the focus beginners, advanced hobbyists or what?

Learning new things for the beginners and clarifying things that advanced hobbyists already know. For myself, I tend to skip the difficult parts. This will force me to read them in order to participate.

Quote: Do we rule out older works because they are a bit out of date?

I don't know.

Quote: Do folks want to focus on system design or organism husbandry or both?

Both. But not at the same time. Some people will be more interested in certain books or parts of books than others. If we do a book on system design first, we should do a book on organism husbandry or chemistry next.

Quote: a chapter a week?

That sounds good.

Quote: A set meeting time for discussion?

I think we should just start the thread at the beginning of the week and people can post all week long. At the end of the week, we start the next chapter thread.

Anyone else have ideas?

[Harif87]

It would be cool if we could have like a get together after each book.... or is that tacky? lol

[ellebelle]

Thought sounds excellent Leslie

[daisy]

I love the idea of a thread on a chapter a week. I also like the idea of starting with organism husbandry and then on to the technical stuff, as we first should know what they need, and then figure out how to provide it to them!

[joseney21]

Whats the difference between vol 1,2 and 3 of the reef aquarium?? is it different info or just updated versions of the same?

[Froggie]

2nd that, sounds awesome Leslie (btw, hello!)

my only question is:

WHEN DO WE START?

[alrha]

Quote: Originally Posted by prattreef am spending a bit of time catching up on personal things

this is personal, no? he he
personally, i am one of those that always gives away the old to buy the new. I would think why not work on an up-to-date book with all the latest studies and facts.

[ellebelle]

As another suggestion for book 'types", it would be nice to read a book on the biology of corals reefs in the ocean. Discussion could center around the way to have or have not reproduced the natural environment in our living rooms.

As a separate suggestion, we could also do articles from "good" sources like the advanced aquarist - between 1 -3 related articles in a week w/ discussion.

[Henrye]

Quote: Originally Posted by digitalreefer I'm open to pretty much everything, but I think a book that might attract new reefers would be a better way to start. Although some of us may be interested in organic chemistry and how it applies to our tank, this type of subject may scare off people that are just starting out.

What, no organic chemistry books? I loved organic chem. Does this also eliminate books like Moby Dick, The Perfect Storm, or Mutiny on the Bounty? What about classic videos like Flipper (I always liked flipper better than Lassie)?? What about poetry, is that out as well? Can we at least use Pirates of the Caribbean (maybe just the first film as I never saw it, and so I was pretty confused sitting through the second)?

Husbandry is going to have to include some technology so we can see how our interactions affect our animals' lives. Somehow, though, I keep coming back to Fenner's Conscientious Aquariast as a good blend to start with, and a solid introduction before something as substantial as The Reef Aquarium III.

Henry