The Simple Guide to Mini-Reef Aquariums

it has a lot of good advices and it's easy to understand!

This comprehensive book will allow anyone who follows the advice given, to develop their first miniature reef aquarium. I've been a hobbyist for over 40 years and I even bought a copy for myself. The author doesn't pull any punches, and gives a very clear description of what you should expect from your mini-reef aquarium.

This book is just what its title implies. A reader could set up and run a mini reef after reading this book. Very little other information would be required to do a mini reef well. The book is fun, easy reading.

I picked up this book from a local pet store. I've been in the saltwater hobby for 11 years. I was always a fish-only guy. I snagged this book on a whim, and I love it. If you are a newbie, and thinking of getting into a mini-reef with live rock, live sand, corals, and maybe some fish .. then this book is a great place to start. Another reviewer mentions something about the title being deceiving. I think he was looking for a nano-reef book. Like a tiny 12 gallon aquarium. This book is not really about nano-reefing. Check out nano-reef.com if you're really looking for that type of information.

Hi. The first most important comment I want to make is don't buy this book if you are looking for a manual to start up a nano-reef. Mini refers to a small reef aquarium larger than a nano. This book does not teach you how to do this. However, it IS a great starter book that is easy to read, well organized and explains in basic terms how to start up a small reef tank. It was enjoyable reading and it contained some nice colorful photos of corals and fish. There two areas where I think this book fell short. First, the author does not give a lot of diagrams or examples on the exact setup of your tank system, eg, not much on how to aquascape. Secondly, he hedges a lot and seems to take a political way out by not committing himself on certain methods of reef tank maintenance. For this reason, I think that this book would compliment Paletta's book. Purchasing these two books would be more than enough for the beginning saltwater aquarist to, sorry, get their feet wet. Paletta's book gives you aquascape designs, long lists of compatible fish and even some sample tank setups including equipment and livestock. Kurtz's book is still excellent and provides some more modern 'reef theory' such as plenums, deep sand beds and ozone/redox than Paletta's book does. I say definitely buy this if you are a 'newbie' and want to get your tank up and going. Good luck.