Hobbyist the critic Writes:
Robert Metelsky's "Simplified Reef Keeping" is aimed squarely at the individual who wants to make their reef work the first time, and have this reef be a long term success.
I'd liken reading this book to having a good friend who happened to be an experienced reefer help you set up a reef, from the first trips to the plumbing and fish stores to purchasing and placing livestock. In addition, the book is packed with design and hardware hints aimed at providing the proper environment for reef creatures for the minimum cost. These hints, especially those dealing with hardware and tank construction, are a great aid for a wide experience range of hobbyists.
Metelsky's focus, as opposed to most other available reef books, is on addressing the the nitty-gritty details of plumbing and constructing a working reef. The elements of reef system construction are described and solved, one by one. In addition, the tradeoffs of various approaches are discussed and solutions proposed that reflect the author's reefkeeping experience. Should you spend on skimmers or halide lighting ? What are the tradeoffs to using a sand bed as opposed to live rock as primary filtration ? etc. When one can build inexpensive alternatives (and one often can), the construction methods are carefully described. An additional emphasis is towards making the initial design facilitate proper tank maintenance, and what that maintenance should be.
This is not a book about PAR, aragonite dissolution, or the various genera of bristleworms. It's a book about taking a beginning hobbyist to the creation of a long term successful reef. The hobby really needed a practical guide to reefkeeping, and now it has one.
the critic
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