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I was looking through some old books, not for aquarium books per say but ran across two saltwater books of mine that were very interesting. The first one is "Exotic Marine Fishes" by Dr. Herbert Axelrod. It was written in 1969, I have the 6th edition from 1982 and I know there is a 9th edition from 1993. Looking through this book reminded me how much we did not know or understand 27 years ago. He says in the book that not a whole lot is understood about saltwater fish, (does not mention anything about coral keeping just using coral skeletons for decorations in the FO tank), at this time. The best filtration then was under gravel filters. That is an under gravel with air stone lift tubes not even power heads. It was amusing to look through the pages and remember this is the best information at that time (no internet). Ths book cost me in the neighborhood of $40.00 back then, not cheep. The fish pictures are, like his freshwater books phenominal, even by today's standards. Oh, you can purchase the 1993 version,9th edition at Amazon today for $5.99 new today.
The second book I found is called "Small Reef Aquarium Basics", by Albert Thiel. It was written in 1989. I did re-read this book cover to cover. Much of the information in this book is still valid today. Thiel has a website with a forum and database with information. He does charge $15.00 a year to join and use it and some free links, many don't work. He is originally, I think from Germany. He advocates and pushes using Metal halides for lighting, best bulbs at the time I think were 6700k. He says he saw them being used in Europe on their coral tanks and was impressed how well the corals were doing. He put this kind of lighting on all his tanks. (he had a business then "Aqua Tech" now the info data base http://www.athiel.com">www.athiel.com</a>). The rage at this time was "trickle filters w/ bio balls. He does mention sumps and stresses skimmers. This book is available from Amazon, used about $4.00/ paperback, but has not been reprinted ot updated. Again at the time this was all we had, no internet yet just books and a whole bunch of misinformation from LFS's that just wanted to sell you stuff. There are still those LFS that do that so beware.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to let you all know how far this hobby has come. In my opinion I think:
#1 thing that has helped our hobby the most is the internet, all kinds of information if you're willing to search for it.
#2 LFSs that know what they're talking about and wanting to help out the hobby and not just sell product no matter what the cost and just make a buck.
#3 The use and better designs of skimmers
#4 Much better salt formulations
#5 Live rock is the way to go
#6 Much better lighting halides and T5s
#7 Having a sump and refugium
#8 Having forums like this where we can learn from each others triumphs and mistakes and/or misfortunes.
These are just some of the things I have seen and experienced in the years gone by. I thought that some of you would find this interesting. Like I said, "We've come a long way baby"
The second book I found is called "Small Reef Aquarium Basics", by Albert Thiel. It was written in 1989. I did re-read this book cover to cover. Much of the information in this book is still valid today. Thiel has a website with a forum and database with information. He does charge $15.00 a year to join and use it and some free links, many don't work. He is originally, I think from Germany. He advocates and pushes using Metal halides for lighting, best bulbs at the time I think were 6700k. He says he saw them being used in Europe on their coral tanks and was impressed how well the corals were doing. He put this kind of lighting on all his tanks. (he had a business then "Aqua Tech" now the info data base http://www.athiel.com">www.athiel.com</a>). The rage at this time was "trickle filters w/ bio balls. He does mention sumps and stresses skimmers. This book is available from Amazon, used about $4.00/ paperback, but has not been reprinted ot updated. Again at the time this was all we had, no internet yet just books and a whole bunch of misinformation from LFS's that just wanted to sell you stuff. There are still those LFS that do that so beware.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to let you all know how far this hobby has come. In my opinion I think:
#1 thing that has helped our hobby the most is the internet, all kinds of information if you're willing to search for it.
#2 LFSs that know what they're talking about and wanting to help out the hobby and not just sell product no matter what the cost and just make a buck.
#3 The use and better designs of skimmers
#4 Much better salt formulations
#5 Live rock is the way to go
#6 Much better lighting halides and T5s
#7 Having a sump and refugium
#8 Having forums like this where we can learn from each others triumphs and mistakes and/or misfortunes.
These are just some of the things I have seen and experienced in the years gone by. I thought that some of you would find this interesting. Like I said, "We've come a long way baby"