THE COMPLETE BOOK OF SALT-WATER AQUARIUMS

Probably this is the most complete layman's manual around on using salt water aquariums. Keeping salt-water fish is a wildly complicated matter since, as Stevenson points out, ""the average aquarist is unaware of the enormous ecological problems he is tackling."" If the novice reads through the preliminary list of equipment (things like ""protein skimmers"" and electrical, aeration and filter accessories) with head still high, he should peruse with care Stevenson's careful explication of the chemical and biological needs of the aquarium environment. There are explicit directions for setting up and maintaining, stocking, and introducing various plant and animal life. A concluding section discusses marine fishes in their natural environment. For the serious hobbyist and amateur naturalist, a reliable guide.