First published in 1978, Freshwater And Marine Aquarium (FAMA) is one of the oldest circulating aquarium magazines in the country, originally published by R/C modeler until 2005, now a BotTie Inc. holding, it still thrives with fresh and interesting information as well as inspirational articles for the novice.

FAMA can be downloaded online in less than two minutes post-purchase or with a twelve- month subscription.

While this magazine will usually only ship within the US, it is possible to get an international subscription directly from the main site. 

Freshwater and Marine Aquarium (FAMA) covers chemistry, lighting, breeding information, feeding information, fish health, marine and freshwater tank maintenance and setup, freshwater husbandry, planted tank maintenance and setup aside from a variety of other informational topics.

This is a classic for saltwater aquarium libraries, it first came out more than twenty years ago, and the advanced information contained in this fully photographed and illustrated encyclopedia is essential to quick disambiguation and understanding of all manner of marine life.

Recommended reading for the middle-to-advanced level marine aquarist.

It has detailed observations on natural habitats, reproductive cycles, behaviors, classification, habits and body structure, with both excellent descriptions and inspirational essays that ranging from mammals, fish to invertebrates.

Presentation is what makes this book special, answering all those advanced questions quickly and precisely, with just a flip through the encyclopedias index or glossary and a single visual contact at the reference page, with photos and illustrations clearly outlined by concise knowledge and inspirational text.

Sidebars and qick-tips make interesting comments on the relative subject at hand, such as how tuna keep warm or the memory of flatworms.

Photographs are very clear with captions, and where a photograph cant get inside a fish, there are elaborate illustrations that detail anatomy, body features and even behaviors; basically, anything a photo cant get at.

Both Andrew Campbell and Keith Edward Banister, the editors of this compiled tome of undersea knowledge, were already experienced professionals at the time of the first publication of this classic, and have left us their most useful knowledge on each topic.

The passionthat inspired this encyclopedia has taken both of them to great success in the world of marine biology, Andrew Campbell even went on to compile a sequel encyclopedia recently with an even more advanced collection of undersea secrets called The New Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life in two volumes.

This 384-page hardcover, published by Checkmark books in November of 1985, measures 11.2 x 8.5 x 1.1 and ships at 3.4 lbs.

So be the question about dolphins, whales, marine fish, freshwater fish, coral, a search on life cycles, reproductive behavior, survival status, physical characteristics, or about any known aquatic life, this book covers all the major points, from fisheries, aquaculture to marine biology, with key knowledge and inspirational voice that stems from a passion that has endured a lifetime, teaching a whole generation.

A classic book for saltwater aquarium libraries, The Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life is a quick and middle-to-advanced reference manual for the serious marine aquarist with a passion for observation and the unending curiosity to explore the farthest depths of the sea, until every last secret is revealed, and the truth behind those Atlantean myths, made into fact.

By understanding the other, we better understand our own inner selves, The Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life is a key to unlocking that mystery, for a more enlightened tomorrow, that begins with you.

Certainly, when dealing with saltwater environments, a smaller aquarium, means less diversity, thus hobbiest/columnist and author of this book Jeffrey Kurtz provides key information on the easiest and most common reef inhabitants, species and how to take care of them in a more sustainable way.

Changing the water in a saltwater environment all the time is not healthy for the inhabitants, so techniques like identifying problems before they start, initial setup, light routines, stable temperatures, stable chemical balances and efficient filtration, all go into making sure the water stays clear and the tank dwellers remain healthy.

Kurtz breaks all that information down into edible pieces, indicating the use of modern advancements in marine technology, so that getting into this hobby for the first time is both easy and fun.

What are the most common species in a reef aquarium, how and where should the tank be setup, what kind of simple routines and maintenance will help identify and solve potential problems and how can the caretaker better learn to nurture, sustain and grow a mini reef in a safe way?

This book answers these kinds of questions by providing expert do-it-yourself knowledge for those looking to bring the mysteries of undersea magic into the comfort of their office or home.

The secret to keeping the mini-reef aquarium healthy is detailed observation, beyond the normal daily feeding. Keeping checks on the water quality once or twice a week and making sure that the chemical balance is suitable.

Aside from making quick work of all the normal precautions dealt with in marine aquariums, the small reef aquarist will find that this book also helps with the most important aspect of all, understanding the inhabitants ecosystem in an intimate way.

If the beginning marine hobbiest is ready and willing to take time to learn about the aquarium and those living inside, the mini-reef will grow healthy and strong, along with the knowledge and understanding of the hobbiest themselves.

This 200-page paperback, written by Jeffrey Kurtz, was published by TFH in February of 2005, measuring 8.7 x 8.4 x 0.5, ships at 1.2 lbs and was written to help more people find that kind of knowledge and understanding that only keeping a coral reef aquarium can bring.

The Simple Guide to Mini-reef Aquariums opens the realm of marine aquarium keeping to a wider range of enthusiasts just starting out, making use of recent discoveries in modern technology to help distribute thissacred knowledge of oceanic wonders in such a way, that almost anyone dreaming of coral and crustaceans in their living room will be not only successful, but enlightened.

From clownfish and dottybacks to gobies, author Martin A. Moe is a marine biologist with the passion for marine aquarium handling and has made one of the most respected captive breeding businesses in the world, with contributions to the development of an enticing area of human experience.

If we are to become a more sustainable community on space station Earth, books like The Marine Aquarium Handbook will allow us to cut down on our ecological footprints, transforming the passionate hobbiest into a steward of the sea.

Preparing the pet industry-commerce for captive breeding only is never going to be a realistic goal, unless wild species begin to dwindle to the brink of extinction, or the truly passionate beginners are given the knowledge, tools and experience the professional have to breed these species at home.

More books like this one, could help us soon achieve an 80% c/b rate in just a few years, it all depends on how much individual effort the passionate hobbiest is willing to put into protecting the wild relatives of their most prized marine aquatic inhabitants, and Matin Moe is a man who has dedicated his life to cutting that effort in half.

This 318-page paperback written by renowned marine biologist, Martin A. Moe, most recently published by Green Turtle in 1992, measures 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 and ships at 1lb.

Really getting to know the breeding habits of our aquatic cousins below the sea, is not just the general topic of The Marine Aquarium Handbook, a true masterpiece, but the objective is to transform the beginner into an expert breeder effectively and quickly contributing to the wild preservation of those rare fish still free.

The beginner starting with saltwater aquariums will find this richly illustrated reference manual practical and informative, especially on the latest technologies available as well as their pros and cons.

The natural history of the most popular saltwater aquarium inhabitants, their basic biology, chemistry and behavior in the sea are all well described in simple details that make it clear how to architect your very own aquatic micro-universe as a novice.

The population distribution of certain species in the wild, their sizes, diets and how compatible any given species will be to the conditions of your aquarium are all included.

Simple procedures, such as temperature, tank decoration, lighting, filters, sumps, isolation tanks, feeding and general health care are all dealt with in precise language that fully inspires you to go beyond the book itself, inspiring the desire to research an even more academic bibliography.

Taking your minds eye out to sea, 20,000 leagues under the ocean, this project can be done from the comfort of your own home with a saltwater aquarium that you design on your own; while your understanding of this vast and as of yet still not fully explored world expands 100 fold after each new addition to your tank.

This 304-page hardcover published by Firefly Books in February of 2007 measures 11 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches and ships at 3 pounds, written by Greg Jennings (consulting editor of 500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish with over forty years of aquarium experience).

The New Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium was designed to make your dreams of lost and ancient civilizations below the deep blue sea come to life, in the comfort of your own home, by doing it yourself for the first time; and Marine Aquarium building correctly.

Tropical aquarium fish are very sensitive and before just dumping the fish in (by filling up the tank with tap water and removing the chlorine), the tank needs to run for about two weeks to stabilize the environment.

Tropical freshwaters are very sensitive environments for sure.

These kinds of tips are exactly the kind of precautions that are taken by the professionals, and by following a weekly plan for setting up your tropical aquarium, your tank is sure to provide a memorable aquascape that inspires human dream.

Including encyclopedic references and step by step advice that make the setting up and introduction process to tropical aquarium hobbying fun, this easy to read book comes with superb photos that detail every step of the way, for both rectangle and curved aquariums alike.

Adding substrate, developing life-support systems and temperature balancing can all be done in a single week, but the process as a whole will take around eight weeks.

The profile sections come with fifty aquarium plants and more than a hundred popular warm freshwater fish that can be added in different stages.

This 208 page hardcover written by Stuart Thraves and published by firefly books in October of 2004 measures 10.1 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches and ships at 2lbs.

Setting up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week is the perfect book if you are building your very first warm freshwater aquarium, teaching the value of patience and proving that anyone can do-it-themselves with the right advice.

If you are pondering buying this book its because you are one of the do it yourself type aquarists.

That’s where it gets better: this book is not merely a list of equipments and dos and not dos. This book brings you into the science of reef-building.

That is, it provides you with critical reviews of the different philosophical approaches, designs and a precise description of the science that involves the application of engineering. Including product technology that duplicates the specific environment behind the creation of a captive reef.

And because of its precise information on all the physical requirements to create and maintain a reef aquarium, this book is also on the shelf of coral reef researchers who study, create, and enjoy coral reef ecosystems in the confines of an aquarium.

If you are a novice with the passion to become what the authors call techno-type reefers this is the book you will devour and savor from cover to cover and it will also save you money, time and those agonizing frustrations of looking for information in the back of products and finding nothing very reassuring.

The Reef Aquarium Book Volume Three is a guide that illuminates the world of the reef aquarist without taking away the pleasure of experimenting the pleasure of seeing something you are building live.

This hardcover saltwater aquarium manual was written by Julian Sprung and Charles Delbeek, it covers the latest in technological trends and tips for first time hobbyists.

At 680 pages, measuring 9.3 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches and shipping at 3.9 pounds; The Reef Aquarium Book published by Two Little Fishes, Inc. will complete any saltwater aquarium hobbyists library.

When you look at your aquarium reef you can capture a glance of the magic of creation and The Reef Aquarium Book will make that experience grow even deeper through the inspiration of knowledge and the confidence from people who know about todays saltwater aquarist.

Fish, plants, coral, filters, salt-mixture, isolation, substrate…These things can really become complicated when not handled properly, and for many, the first experience with saltwater aquarium hobbying can be a disastrous one; but The New Marine Aquarium can make sure your first experience with a saltwater aquarium is a complete success.

People who have been there and done that, over and over, for years experimenting in the world of marine aquatics still come up with complications, and those issues are addressed here, making it fun, easy and reassuring to get thingsright on your own with your very first saltwater aquarium.

The New Marine Aquarium will help anybody building their very first saltwater aquarium pinpoint the most common mistakes in an organized way that details what most people end up doing wrong while still making it easy to follow.

Measuring 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 and shipping at 1 lb, this setup and stocking guide is written by Michael S. Paletta and comes with illustrations and photos that inspire the imagination and flow in the direction of a workingsaltwater environment that is healthy as well as aesthetic.

How to create and design your own seascapes for the first timer, reef hobbying in details, even disease prevention, The New Marine Aquarium is an exquisitely inspiring and practical manual for getting an Aquarium built right the first time around.

Diana L. Walstad breaks it all down into 11 chapters, teaching how plants purify substrate and water for healthier fish and aquariums, what kind of maintenance is useful and which is counterproductive, facts about algae bloom and handling as well as how to grow plants without paying an arm and a leg.

This hardcover ships at 1.8 pounds and is 194 pages at 8.5 x 11 with 46 tables, over 50 figures and plant drawings, 70 questions and answers, hundreds of scientific references and a color plate of the authors aquarium.

Ecology of the Planted Aquarium is the scientific approach to underwater aquarium gardening and is perfect for those who like starting out with all the details and enjoy digging deeper into their research as the hobby grows in the imagination, unfolding the mysteries of the deep before our very eyes.

Scott W. Michael is also author of Marine Invertebrates and the two books together are excellent for those looking to build a reef aquarium environment.

Marine Fishes gets down to the nitty-gritty of this inspiring hobby, focusing on 500 different fish and only on most relevant information for each one, including photo, scientific name, common name, max size, minimum suggested aquarium size/suitability, reef compatibility, care and maintenance tips.

This 447 page paperback measures 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.9 and ships at 1.15 pounds, recommended as the perfect choice for choosing the species you want in your novice marine aquarium.

Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael shows that pictures speak a thousand words, but only a few really count when it comes to choosing your saltwater aquarium fish for the very first time without a sales pitch.

Marine Fishes is what every first-time saltwater aquarium hobbyist should have on call before spending time or money; keeping our seascapes just that much more self-reliant and fun.

This full color DVD also pinpoints and roots out those details that most frequently lead people to abandon the hobby, fully inspiring the human imagination to explore this underwater realm of adventure without failing!

Starting A Planted Aquarium The Easy Way is a 35-minute DVD (NTSC) for US and Canada only, guided by Carson Passey, an aquarium consultant with a lifetime of experience.

This DVD shows all the major details in an easy to grasp manner and all the ins and outs for the first time aquatic gardener.

Detailed points of interest including proper lighting, inhabitants, proper balance of CO2, rich nutrient substrate, aquascaping, pruning and how to maintain an underwater garden effectively for the beginner are made easy.

Starting A Planted Aquarium The Easy Way will help anyone looking to get into underwater garden aquariums for the first time, the exact knowledge necessary to avoid mistakes and setbacks that might take the fun out of the hobby.

Starting A Planted Aquarium The Easy Way puts the thrill of our imaginations back into perspective, doing it right the first time.