The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums (Simple Guide to...)

Rating:
Summary: Everything the novice aquariumist should know.....
Review: .... but doesn't know enough to ask.....

I know nothing about keeping tropical fish and am thinking about setting up an aquarium. At first glance, I found the information in this book to be pretty overwhelming. But, when I finally got to the chapters about fish and the stocking suggestions, the project became much more exciting.

The first part of the book is dedicated to the more technical aspects of setting up and maintaining an aquarium.... equipment, chemistry, changing the water, etc, which to a novice can seem pretty overwhelming, never mind the fact that the subtext is that if you don't watch out, these are the myriad ways you will kill your fish!

The last few chapters focus on the actual fish. By this time, the reader can appreciate the emphases of the earlier chapters more... if you take proper care, these beautiful and sometime delicate (and sometimes not) creatures should thrive.

All in all, I'd say this is an important book to read for a complete novice. It might dissuade some from getting an aquarium (not necessarily such a bad thing), but for those readers who take the instruction to heart, it will help them understand that you can't just fill up the tank and throw any old fish in!

My main complaint is that the pictures of the fish weren't always on the page where they were discussed and the index doesn't tell you where they are pictured.

Rating:
Summary: Some useful information, but incomplete for the beginner
Review: As a book for beginners, this gives some good information about such things as the nitrogen cycle, and it gives some sample stocking schemes (which were the two reasons I bought this book), but it is lacking in other things such as fishless cycling, and how to acclimate fish--which is very important for the beginner. Further, the index is nearly useless.

If you buy this book as a beginning aquarist, you will still need to supplement it with other resources before you make your first purchase of fish.

Rating:
Summary: The best beginner's guide
Review: Before I bought my first aquarium, I read several books for beginners, and this is by far the best. Anyone who is interested in fishkeeping and follows the advice in this book will have a successful experience. All the basics --tank sizes (DON'T start too small!), essential equipment, water quality, feeding, etc.-- are covered clearly and thoroughly. In addition, the advice about chemicals and equipment to avoid will save you money and prevent stress on both you and your fish. Finally, the stocking schemes offered (there are many, many options) are like having an expert go fish shopping with you so you can choose the perfect selection of fish based on your preferences and tank size while avoiding the expense and disappointment of choosing incompatible or unsuitable species (e.g., aggressive fish, fish that grow too large, fish that require very special environments).If you are beginner in the hobby, buy this book, follow the advice, and you will have a great experience!

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Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: I bought this book a couple of months AFTER starting a new aquarium. I wish I had bought it BEFORE because I would have saved myself a couple of hundred dollars in fish and unnecessary remedies. After looking at many of the "starter" books here on AMAZON.COM and in book stores, The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums was head and shoulders above the rest. The information is current, clear and straight forward without being diluted. It's thorough without being confusing. It covered any and all questions and concerns I had with my new aquarium. In the time prior to owning this book, I had several problems and questions that I could never seem to get a straight answer for in any books I looked in. I spent a lot of money on "remedies" that it turns out you never need if you take proper and simple care of the aquarium. The author is adament about frequent water changes(and he's 100% right!). Upon reading this book and following the authors unbiased and extremely knowledgeable advice, my problems were solved. His information regarding water pH, stocking schemes, and only NECESSARY equipment is fantastic. Healthy fish, healthy aquarium and a great overall experience. I attribute my success solely to my purchase of this particular book.

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Summary: My first resource
Review: I got this book when I bought my first aqaurium, and am I glad I did! This saved a complete beginner from making some deadly mistakes and saved my fish from suffering. I have read it cover to cover more than once, and would recommend this reference to an aquarium novice. However, as another reviewer stated, this book doesn't have everything. You still need to research the specific types of fish you wish to purchase in case they have special needs. But, overall, this resource is highly useful.

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Summary: An easy & fun read to get you hooked to topical fishies
Review: I must confess, I have never thought much about fish. Except to ponder if my salmon would be better poached or barbequed. I am more of a furry animal person. One night my husband said, we should get a fish tank for the kitties - it would be like TV for felines. Ha ha ha. The more I thought about it, the more interested I became, and of course visited Amazon.com to browse around.

After reading just a few reviews for various fishkeeping books, on thing became very clear: it is REALLY easy to screw up a fish tank. Disaster can take the form of a tankful of green crud, several dead fishes, and a lot of wasted money. My visions of buying a glass box, filling it with water and throwing in a bunch of pretty fish were decidedly dashed. Well, I bought this book anyway, thinking fishkeeping would probably turn out to be too complicated and time-consuming for me, but what the heck. The kitties would love it.

It is true that it is easy to mess up a fish tank, but it is also true that it is just as easy to keep one clean and beautiful. Mr. Boruchowitz's book is specifically aimed at beginners, and assumes you know nothing about fish (except whether you prefer poached or barbequed). The layout of the book is logical and easy to follow. He tells you up front the pitfalls beginner aquarists run in to, and how to avoid them. And avoiding them does not take much effort or brain-strain. It *does* take some planning and a bit of research, both of which I found to be fun when I used this book as a guide.

"The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums" is just that - simple. It discusses tanks, equipment, food, decorations, and the fishies themselves, all in plain english. Although there is a lot you *could* do with your fish tank, Boruchowitz stresses for first-timers it is important to succeed with your tank. Mr. Boruchowitz tells you very simply how to do just that, without losing a lot of time, money, or hair. There are many obstacles to navigate: expensive technologies that say they do everything but your laundry; bogus information from the Web, magazines, and pet stores about which fish can live together; how much time it really takes to maintain your aquarium and keep the fish healthy. I cannot imagine trying to sort the seaweed from the fish poop without this book.

Before you buy anything - even one tiny tetra - read this book from cover to cover. It is not hard to do - I was finished before I knew it. As humans who make the choice to keep animals - furred or not - it is our responsibility to give them the best lives possible. Even if they are 'just fish.' This book will help you do just that. My wallet, fishies, and hairline thank you, Mr. Boruchowitz.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book - Before you buy ANY fish!!!
Review: I was getting very discouraged (after killing about 1 1/2 tankfuls of fish), so I browsed here on Amazon and found this book. I wish I could give it 6 stars. Everything we beginners do or are led to do, is doomming our fish to a quick demise. If you plan on getting a 10 gallon tank with an undergravel filter(the typical beginner package) filled with a random assortment of fish - you are almost bound to fail. This book will explain why - and also give you recipes for nearly guaranteed success. I wish I got this book a year ago - as do all me poor dead little fishy friends, too, I suspect.

Bottom line - if you are a beginner - GET THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: Read This Book Before Buying An Aquarium
Review: If you don't have a clue about where to start and you want to purchase your very first tank, please read this book before buying a single piece of equipment! It will answer many of your questions and prevent many problems. This book is practical. Since I've read this book, I've purchased a second aquarium. My fish are thriving. The "Suggested Stocking Schemes" are particularly helpful. Excellent beginner's book.

Rating:
Summary: Short on Specifics
Review: If you're a beginning "aquarist" and you plan to buy only one book (for now) then don't buy The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums by David E. Boruchowitz.

It makes a good "second" book for beginners but
it is too short on specifics to be you "main" resource.

Do you want to know how may fish you can keep in your tank?
This book does not tell you.

Do you wnat to know which kinds of fish don't mix?
This book does not tell you.

Do you want to know which kind of fish are more tolerant to hard water like most tap water?
This book does not tell you.

I could go on but you get the idea. The book DOES contain a lot of overview/perspective type information for people who want to really give their fish the highest possible care. It also has some VERY helpful information about which fish to avoid. Unfortunately event that information is grouped in two or three different areas and those fish are pictured at random spots through the book.

Instead, try You and Your Aquarium by Dick Miles
(ISBN: 0394729854)
or, if you don't need color photos get the tried and trusted "For Dummies" book Aquariums for Dummies.
(ISBN: 0764551566).