<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: More "bio-types" than biotopes
Review: I was very disappointed by this book. While the general fishkeeping advice is sound, that can be found in many other books. I bought this volume specifically to obtain information on setting up accurate biotope aquaria, and here it fell far short of my expectations. As another reviewer commented, fish are thrown together simply because they come from the same general geographic region (i.e., Southeast Asia) rather than because they truly come from the same lake or river. Plants, too, are included inappropriately--despite what many authors seem to think, no authentic Rift Lake (Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika) should feature plants--only rocks, substrate, algae, and snail shells for shell-dwellers.On the positive side, as I said, the fishkeeping advice is good. Additionally, while the "biotopes" given aren't real biotopes at all, the author does provide useful advice on how to simulate what I call "bio-types": the substrate, water flow, and other features of particular types of aquatic environments, such as river, lakes, and mountain streams. Bottom line: If you're interested in setting up tanks that recall a certain type of aquatic environment, and aren't particular about whether or not the fish and plants you include are actually found together in nature, you may want to investigate this book. However, if you're interested in creating a true biotope aquarium, one intended to to be a snapshot of a specific environment, such as a Lake Tanganyika rocky reef, a small stream in Thailand, or a Rio Negro floodwater, look elsewhere. Despite the book's title, you won't find the information you need here.
Rating: 
Summary: A very useful book for the novice adding plants
Review: The ultra-experts may not like this book but I found it very useful in setting up my first complex freshwater aquariums with plants. Of course my goal was not to reproduce the exact conditions of Lake Whatchamacallit. But I ended up with very stable, amusing, and good looking tank that was easy to care for.
Rating:
Summary: A very useful book for the novice adding plants
Review: The ultra-experts may not like this book but I found it very useful in setting up my first complex freshwater aquariums with plants. Of course my goal was not to reproduce the exact conditions of Lake Whatchamacallit. But I ended up with very stable, amusing, and good looking tank that was easy to care for.
Rating: 
Summary: All style no substance
Review: While this book has some nice pictures. There is very little actual information on setting up a natural aquarium.
<< 1 >>
| 
