Hobbyist Thomas S. Heo writes:
Simplified Reef Keeping, by Robert Metelsky, is THE book to purchase for anyone who is either seriously or casually thinking about getting into one of the most rewarding hobbies, reef keeping. This book is more of a manual and a step by step guide of the setup, maintenance, and maximized enjoyment of our hobby. Metelsky takes you through the initial planning stages of a reef tank, the construction of the components for the reef tank, and even presents information on the various livestock that can be found in a reef aquarium. This is the only practical instruction manual that I have seen out at this time, and does not waste time with the "fluff" that is contained in most other books that are geared more for the novice or advanced hobbyist.
There are no complicated formulas or scientific names to intimidate the beginner who wants to get a good, solid background in what is involved when getting into this hobby, and not have to worry about what genus of bacteria are considered the nitrosifiers. This often discourages the beginner, and so he/she turns away from the hobby thinking that this knowledge is absolutely necessary. This is not detrimental, but when one is overwhelmed with the "fluff", loses site of what the end result is; to get a reef tank that will succeed. Simplified Reef Keeping is the guide that all neophyte (and potential) reef keepers have been wishing for.
This book concentrates on what is ACTUALLY involved in the hobby. It is straight forward, and discusses everything from how to save money by shopping at alternative sources like a hardware store for PVC fittings to discussing the step-by-step procedures in mixing and dosing the very important "kalkwasser". You go one step at a time through this book, and you learn from another hobbyist's mistakes. All reef keepers make mistakes and waste hundreds, if not thousands of dollars learning from such mistakes. By reading this book, you will avoid all the unnecessary costs that most reef keepers have encountered and been victim to, and come out a much happier, and richer, reef hobbyist.
The section on biological filtration is one of the best that I have seen to date explained on a level that can be easily understood by the lay-person. I am an undergraduate Microbiology/Molecular Genetics major at the University of California, Los Angeles, and this is the most in-depth discussion I have seen on the process of nitrification and denitrification that is geared for the "newbie". It does not complicate the process by presenting what other books present, but like the rest of the book, gives you a PRACTICAL understanding of what is taking place in your tank.
This is also the first book where I have seen instructions on how to plumb a tank, which is usually causes the most headaches for even experienced reef keepers!
Overall, I would say that after you read this book, you will know exactly what the hobby involves and have a better understanding of the task that lies ahead. Too many times, books are too general to be of use for the average hobbyist, and so the beginner must purchase not one, not two, but many books to scratch the surface of the practical side to the hobby. What is not covered in those "other" books, this book describes in great detail.
I would recommend this book strongly for the beginner, and if I had to recommend just 2 books for the beginner or potential beginner, it would be Simplified Reef Keeping by Robert Metelsky and A Practical Guide to Corals by Ed Puterbaugh and Eric Borneman.
Thomas S. Heo - Hobbyist
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