[jousley]

hey everyone,

I just got a whiff of some of the most awesome aquascapes and now i'm gathering information to see if this is something I really want to do. I tend to gather as much info as possible when I get the bug to try something new, and just want your insight and knowledge as to where I can gather that. Obviously, I have been reading websites, posts and forums, but was looking for something more holistic.

Please direct me to books, sites that start from the beginning - describing filters, CO2, substrate, beginning plants, and most importantly the various levels of elements that I need to know about, how to control them, what they mean, etc.

I was really hoping for a book or ebook that could start me off. I've seen plenty on amazon, etc. but I wanted to know your opinions, from people who are doing this, on where to start gathering more knowledge.

thanks in advance..

J.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Welcome to TPT!

Honestly, I have never come across any other resource nearly as valuable as TPT when it comes to planted tanks. One of the biggest advantages to online forums is you can stay up to date with all the latest and greatest changes (new equipment, philosophies, etc) and get totally customized advice.

There are some good books out there, but those are not going to be as current due to the publication process as what's online.

That being said- here's a few really good books I'd recommend:

Peter Hiscock's Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants is extremely good- one I'd recommend to any hobbyist but especially one first learning the basics of plants

Diana Walstad's Ecology of the Planted Aquarium is another really educational read

Any of Christel Kasselmann's books

 

[Shawn123]

There is a sticky at the top of this forum that has great info for starting a tank. Honestly I think the best place to learn is online forums, because you can ask questions and read the opinions of many instead of one author.

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[lauraleellbp]

Oh how could I have forgotten the TPT Planted Tank Guide!!

 

[Aplomado]

+1 for Diana Walstad's Ecology of the Planted Aquarium

I'm not sure I agree with 100% everything she says, but it seems like common sense backed up by science. Great book.

 

[Method]

When I was getting started this forum was by far my best source.

Words of caution: never take any one person's opinion as fact, and don't put too much faith in how many posts a person has as a measure of their knowledge.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Words of caution: never take any one person's opinion as fact, and don't put too much faith in how many posts a person has as a measure of their knowledge.

Speaking as the person on this forum who's talked the most, that is a 100% true fact. :hihi:

(I love irony)

 

[Method]

Speaking as the person on this forum who's talked the most, that is a 100% true fact. :hihi:

(I love irony)

I should have said 'Present company excluded.' :icon_wink

Although I don't know her personally, Laura's wisdom is highly regarded.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Awww! *Feeling all warm and fuzzy*

But seriously- PLEASE don't take everything I say as fact, either! (The world would be a scary place... :help: LOL)