How many books do you own on marine fish/inverts

[Dominuslive]

I was just curious as to how many ppl buy the books out there, and how many just get their info on the net. Personally I have 9 books on SW, ranging in price from $5-$80. And I also find each one says something different, or has a different species none of the others have. I would also call all of them the most valuable part of SW husbandy. I also get every magazine out there for SW(that I can find).

[Justin_James]

I only own two books. The first one I bought when I was just getting into the hobby and it's a reeftank hand book, and the outher one is Scott Michaels "aquarium sharks and rays" since there isn't much info on the net about them to be able to successfully keep them without this book.

I find that you can usually get the info for free at a large scale but there is always some things you cant find so thats where books come in.

[Oddball]

Not counting magazines, I have around 100 or so saltwater-related books. I have over 500 books encompassing many subjects within the hobby (disease ID/treatments, limnological studies, regional research, fish family studies, ichthyological writings, aquarium hobby books (science and species), expedition journals, aquaculture science/engineering, etc.

[Mattcomptonassvanhorn]

3 and they all suck

[yourmylunch]

i own 2 a pocketexpert guide to marine inverts, and fishes
i just went to the library to read when seting up my tanks

[Justin_James]

In my opinion buying thouse expensive books is a very large waist of money that could be put towards better tank gear like a good skimmer. All the info you need is on the net if you look hard enough. The only time a book is needed is if you plan on getting an uncommon species like sharks, or seahorses. I have both and find that out of all the fish I have ever done research on that info on the bamboo shark and the dwarf seahorse is very hard to come by and I had to turn to books to feel confident enough to be able to keep these animals.

[Oddball]

In my opinion buying thouse expensive books is a very large waist of money that could be put towards better tank gear like a good skimmer. All the info you need is on the net if you look hard enough. The only time a book is needed is if you plan on getting an uncommon species like sharks, or seahorses. I have both and find that out of all the fish I have ever done research on that info on the bamboo shark and the dwarf seahorse is very hard to come by and I had to turn to books to feel confident enough to be able to keep these animals.

I don't get it. You start out saying buying books is a big waist (should read waste) of time then, you finish with "I had to turn to books". The opening statement is negated within the same paragraph.

[rottbo]

the best reason for having alot of books is because you can get look up anything you want ver quickly with out having to get on the com.... my collection is getting big but not big enough i have bout 50 - 60 books right now and if i counted magazines i would be well over 100 i probally have a stack of 200 mags

[skinless]

just two.

fenners cma book and a coral book by the same publisher

[Dominuslive]

Well as far as buying the books as a waste of time and money, you have not been looking into more exotic species with little info. Plus I find alot of the info on the net is misleading, and have very different statements on the care of the same fish/coral. Where as most books I have bought and read seem to all stick to the same principles. Which is usually way different then what is on the net. Plus when I want to find good information I do not want to go through 100 websites for little info like just total size and food.

[Justin_James]

I don't get it. You start out saying buying books is a big waist (should read waste) of time then, you finish with "I had to turn to books". The opening statement is negated within the same paragraph.


What I ment was that the majority of the info is on the net for "FREE" so save your money on the common things but when your dealing with an uncommon fish/coral then a book might be the only alternative.

I have seen books with info that is way off from the truth just as much as the internet can be. The trick is to search at least 3 sites for the same topic and see if the info is the same on all. If it isn't than I just keep looking till I find lots of info and which ever answers come up more often than thats the one I go with oppose to an answer that was only spoke of once out of 4 or 5 different sites. I also find that finding peoples personal experiences with the particular animal is "FAR" better than any book or info site.

The method I use to find info has never steered me wrong.

[Elasmofreak]

I rarely do research on the web. Most of its all bogus, except on rare occasion. My knowledge comes from the 95-100 or so SW books i have. If you buy an expensive book, chances are its by a reputible author who knows what the F*ck he's talking about. Not all good books are expensive either! Personally if i need info on Corals i look to Sprung, Deelbek, or Borneman. If i need info on fish i look to Scott Michael. Unless your looking to keep a great white shark or something of that nature, you should be able to find info on any exotic aquatic animal from those men.

[Dominuslive]

I rarely do research on the web. Most of its all bogus, except on rare occasion. My knowledge comes from the 95-100 or so SW books i have. If you buy an expensive book, chances are its by a reputible author who knows what the F*ck he's talking about. Not all good books are expensive either! Personally if i need info on Corals i look to Sprung, Deelbek, or Borneman. If i need info on fish i look to Scott Michael. Unless your looking to keep a great white shark or something of that nature, you should be able to find info on any exotic aquatic animal from those men.

True enough. Most of these authors have decades of experience. Personally, I am gonna take info from Bob Fenner before I take info from someone who has has a tank for a few months. Just because they have say a blue lined trigger for a few months with a bunch of other fish for a short period of time, doesn't mean they aren't going to shred everybody in the tank one day. I have seen people keep Sailfin tangs in a 55 gallon successfully for 6 months or more, but that doesn't mean that a fish is living a good life. Scott Micheals gives good reference to what size aquariums to keep certain fish in. And in order to fins out what species of corals are out there, where would we be without Eric or Juliuns books, or even Anthony Calfos. Sure the net can help you get started, but to be a true aquarist, the books will always be what is important.

[skinless]

there is the daily faq at WWM (http://www.wetwebmedia.com). it's like virtual fenner lol. i come to mfk more for opinions. especially the sw section