which book?

[reefNewbie]

Corals: A Quick Reference Guide (Oceanographic Series)
by Julian Sprung

or

Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History
by Eric H. Borneman

I am a begginer as far as corals go and want to get a book that will allow me to learn the best way for keeping all corals. Which book would do a better job at this. Im not interested in the history or anything like that just true hard solid facts about corals.

 

[naesco]

Borneman IMO and get Robert Fenners, The Concientious Marine Aquarist in paperback

 

[texasreefer]

I would second the recommendation for Borneman's book.

 

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Borneman's book. It's very easy to read and understand. Outstanding pictures also.

 

[Anonymous]

Borneman IMO and get Robert Fenners, The Concientious Marine Aquarist in paperback

Ditto. The best 2 books out. Also wilkersons clownfish book. Another must have.

 

[Markymarklar]

i have the one from sprung and really don't like it that much. doesn't really tell you much about how to take care of the corals or good info about the corals. i saw the one by borneman in the store and read it for a while and was blown away by how much better it was. get borneman's book :!: :!:

 

[reefsnreptiles1]

Gonna go against the majority here and recommend "Corals: A Quick Reference Guide (Oceanographic Series) by Julian Sprung". I have Borneman's book and like it but for easy reference (for the beginner) it does not compare to Sprung's book.

The "Quick Reference Guide" provides pictures of the most commonly available corals and the recommended placement in the aquarium, lighting needs, and water flow. This is all done with easy to read charts and graphs (much like a buyer's guide). These charts are located right next to the pictures of the corals allowing you to find the picture of the coral you are interested in and providing you with the care right next to the pic.

Borneman's book goes into much more detail but doesn't make for a quick reference when you are trying to pick out a new coral. He spends a lot of time explaining reef environments in the wild etc. It is written in chapter format much like a text book.

In the end I think they are both great books to have though.

Hope that helps!

Brian

 

[Anonymous]

I have Boremans.and use the Quicky Guide at the shops.....so I don't need to buy that one.

 

[madrefkepr]

Why limit yourself to just one book? Buy a couple. Books are relatively cheap, compared to most of our equipment, and a good portion of our tanks inhabitants.

Although I only own a coupe of books related to reefkeeping, I have read quite a few, and continue to do so. I borrow a lot of books from friends, check them out at the library, and eventually buy the ones I like the most. I haven't seen a book that hasn't had some unique information or perspective.

 

[Anonymous]

want to get a book that will allow me to learn the best way for keeping all corals

Bournemanns book is much more thorough in husbandry.

Delbeek and Sprungs older books are still both very good for many aspects of reefkeeping and I still look at them frequently.

 

[Anonymous]

One that always gets negelcted IMO.

The Book of Coral Propogation - Anthony Calfo.

While Bournemans book is great on species specifics the book by calfo covers all sorts of practical tips on coral keeping, propogation, fragging, lighting you name it - the book is a treasure trove of information. I think you can order it from Amazon - be warned not as many pretty pictures but tons of useful information and he has a fun writing style so it's not as droll as it could be.

I second CMA as one of the best all around introductory tomes.

I have a few of the Sprung books, they have gorgeous pictures but nowhere near the amount information of either Bourneman or Calfo's coral books.