by Alf Jacob Nilsen and Svein A. Fossa(Microcosm Ltd., 823 Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT 05445.Hardcover, $39.95.ISBN 1-890087-67-X.)
This
volume contains 240 pages that are profusely illustrated with
more than 500 excellent color photographs, graphs and line
drawings. There is also a bibliography and list of suggested
readings, and an index.
Alf
Nilsen and Svein Fossa, authors of four volumes of important
scientific and technical information in their Modern Coral
Reef series have combined to author a book again, this time
primarily directed at aquarists just starting to acquire the
basic knowledge needed to be successful in establishing healthy
and beautiful reef aquariums.They have provided a handsome and highly informative
source of material that provides basic knowledge about the
natural biotope of wild coral reefs and about the techniques
currently available to replicate these as closely as can be
done.
In the
book's Introduction the authors repeat their commitment to the
values that underlay their more detailed work - the marine
aquarium provides both an educational "living science
demonstration" and a source of beauty in the home, as well
as a powerful tool for creating interest in the urgent need for
conservation of these priceless ecosystems.They conclude the chapter by stating, "We believe that
marine aquarists will play a vital role in helping to stop
destructive fishing practices, support sustainable harvesting
plans, and educate their families, friends and the general
public about the living wonders, beauty and value of coral
reefs."I hope
and believe that they are correct.
Chapter
1, Light, Darkness and Shadows, outlines the fundamentals of the role
played by light in the photosynthetic process of primary producers and
of the algal symbionts of coral reef animals. Emphasis is placed on the
fact that there are differing light requirements among desirable
aquarium organisms and stress is placed on the creation of overhangs and
shaded areas as well as highly illuminated regions, a worthwhile
consideration in aquascape design.The authors cover the use of fluorescent, compact fluorescent and
metal halide systems and present the pros and cons of each.
Chapter
2 focuses on water quality and water movement, presenting those aspects
of most importance for the new coral reef aquarist.It is in this chapter that the authors provide a schematic titled
"Components of a Successful Coral Reef Aquarium," covering
water quality, live rock and sand, protein skimming, lighting, water
motion, mechanical filtration and activated carbon, and calcium
supplementation.They
emphasize the all-important need for patience in allowing the system to
run until it stabilizes before adding fishes and invertebrates other
than algae eaters and detritovores.The chapter also contains diagrams for a two-tank tide pool
display and a Carlson surge device.
Aquascaping
is the focus of the third chapter, highlighting the role of live rock
and attachment techniques, and discussing some of the debate around
issues of sand bed depth.Chapter
4, Biotopes: Modeling Aquariums on Ecological Niches on and Around the
Reef, concerns an issue dear to these authors' hearts.In their Modern Coral Reef series Nilsen and Fossa
advocated the creation of specialized reef tanks that physically mimic
naturally occurring ecosystems and are populated by appropriate
organisms, rather than the hodgepodge "garden" of the usual
tank, occupied by inhabitants the reef keeper obtained in various ways
and for various reasons.They come back to that approach here, presenting notes on the
construction of seagrass, reef gorge, rubble zone and small cave zone
habitats and, based on a micro ecosystem observed on a trip to southern
Thailand, even a "Pizza anemone aquarium" featuring the
anemone Cryptodendrum adhaesivum, its symbionts and associated
organisms.In each case a
description of the natural habitat is followed by suggestions for tank
design and construction and a list of appropriate inhabitants.These authors and others have advocated this approach, usually to
audiences of experienced aquarists.It will be interesting to see if the concept takes hold among the
beginning aquarists addressed here.
The
next two chapters form the bulk of the book and are
devoted to stocking the aquarium.Chapter 5, “Aquarium Stocking,” discusses
the major concerns involved in choosing livestock and
emphasizes the pitfalls to be avoided by the usually
all-to-eager aquarist.Issues of aquarium size, population density,
hardiness and compatibility are discussed.Two important tables are provided; a three page
compatibility list stressing specific considerations
for many major taxonomic groups and a four page
listing of organisms that are potentially injurious to
the aquarist, with symptoms and treatments for each,
as well as precautions to take to guard against
injury.
Chapter
6, the authors' Stocking Guide, contains more than 100
pages of photographs, text and coded color keys,
describing potential tank specimens, four to a page.Covered organisms include sponges, hard and
soft corals, anemones, molluscs, annelids,
crustaceans, echinoderms and fishes.Among the more than 400 species included you
will find almost every available organism you may come
across either as intentional or unintentional
introductions to your aquarium or even as those you
observe diving or snorkeling over reefs.Each entry has an excellent identification photograph (many
by Scott Michael), area of origin, full taxonomy,
common name, adult or mature colony size, appropriate
aquascaping, circulation and feeding requirements and
compatibility with other organisms.Color codes indicate levels of ease or
difficulty in providing essential requirements.
Chapter
7 deals with algae.Nilsen and Fossa take a nuanced position on the
role of algae on the reef and in the aquarium.After discussing the importance of algae in the
ecology of the tropical coral reef, the authors state,
"As algae are such an important biological
component of coral reefs, it is strange that they are
usually not seen to be vital to the biology of the
coral reef aquarium as well.... algae are often
portrayed as the enemy in reef systems, but the
reality is that that various algae will always be a
part of the reef aquarium.Indeed, they must be there if the system is
alive and well."They even have a photograph of a tank that they describe as a
"Dutch planted reef" with a heavy growth of
fleshy macroalgae.This is the first time I have seen that term,
usually used in reference to heavily planted
freshwater tanks, as a label for a reef aquarium.
Of
course the problem is primarily with filamentous algae
and Valonia.The authors provide important suggestions for
nutrient reduction, maintaining correct salinity
levels and appropriate light sources, as well as a
helpful chart of algae grazers and other herbivores.
Proud
sponsor of this column
(There
seems to be less antagonism to non-calcareous algae
among reef keepers these days, but the usual practice
is to treat them as suspicious characters and isolate
patches to sumps and refugia.The authors here advocate placing them in the
main display area.I have included as many species of macroalgae
into my tank as I can find and grow - partially out of
necessity due to Hawaii's stringent regulations on
corals - and find them a rewarding and attractive
addition.There's
not a trace of filamentous algae in the tank.)
Foods
and feeding are covered in a brief Chapter 8.There is a discussion of nutrition basics and available foods and
a chart with suggestions for feeding difficult organisms such as
mandarin fish.The book
concludes with a chapter on marine conservation and the positive role
that aquarists can play.Nilsen
and Fossa conclude by stating, "Coral reefs are going to need all
the friends they can find in the coming century.The reef aquarium is a constant learning experience for those of
us who keep one, as well as all who come to visit.It is a living connection to wild reefs and, we hope, a beautiful
and powerful tool in helping to protect them."
This
is the first time that I have had back-to-back columns featuring works
by the same authors, but it's been a pleasure for me to accompany them
as they present their knowledge and wide-ranging experience. If you know
of anyone above the complete novice stage who intends to join us in our
fascinating undertaking, this would be a very worthwhile recommendation
that could save him or her much grief and ensure a good start.If you haven't invested the time and energy (and economic
resources) required to read their far more detailed series, this book
will give you good up-to-date knowledge on reef aquarium structure and
maintenance and a fine aquarist's identification guide as well, in an
economical and beautiful volume.The
editor and publisher of Microcosm, James Lawrence, working with T. F. H.
publications, is to be congratulated for maintaining the high standards
we have become accustomed to associating with his work.
