Hobbyist DC Potts writes:
I recieved a copy of Robert Metelsky's book a couple of weeks ago for review. Honestly I thought I would gain very little from a book with "Simplified" in the title. I haven’t been in this hobby as long as others, but with a background in the biological sciences and all the time in the world to read everything I can about the hobby, I get a bit arrogant about my degree of knowledge.
Anyway, I was a bit turned off by the ads that said that reefkeeping wasn’t brain surgery and it shouldn’t be that complicated. I'm a neophyte scientist, so I like to take a scientific approach to most everything I do. I just flat out didn’t think this book was for me. Boy was I ever wrong.
Robert has written a great no BS approach to reefkeeping book. I've read the other standards, D&S, Nilsen & Fossa, and Moe. While they are all good books, I think that Metelsky is the place for a beginner to start. I've gone through thousands of dollars worth of junk trying to set-up a good tank. Buying Simplified Reefkeeping would have saved my quite a bit of money. It gives a very clear and concise method of setting up a reeftank. If one followed it, one would have a successful tank. No playing around with theories and different experimental methods, just success. This approx. $40 book told me exactly what it took me about $2000 to figure out.
What impressed me the most about the book is that I gained something from it. I just moved from my apartment to a new house, and I will be setting up my new tanks using a few of the "tips and tricks" I learned from the book. I really think the method of aquascaping that Robert explains is far superior than any other method I have seen or tried.
For those DIY types, a great deal of the book lays out great plans for tanks, skimmers, and a few other interesting devices. I'm not very handy with tools myself, but you can bet that my girlfriend will be building me a new tank now with Roberts plans!
All in all I highly recommend this book to all. Not only is it the best starting book that I have read, but it has something for everyone.
D.C. Potts - Hobbyist -
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