Books or the Internet????

[SAPPER]

Out of interest do people still buy books. A lot of information.... should I say every bit of information is on the internet these days but I still like the books for solid information.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I like a healthy combination of both. My favorite book has to be "The nano reef handbook" My daughters like looking at the pictures to ;)....however i'll never understand why they don't just look at the real thing in the next room ;Hilarious

 

[SAPPER]

My favourites are the marine fishes and the Corals book. Kids are like that spend a fortune on something they will enjoy, but the cardboard box is more interesting.

 

[FredsNJReef]

So funny, I recently ordered 2 books, one is listed above. I just like turning the pages of a glossy book/magazine. I read online constantly and watch you tube videos on my chrome cast ad nausum.
But holding the book and reading it just does something for me.

I wish there were better books that were current. And no kindle versions for me lol.

 

[Maggie321]

I really like my good old-fashioned books. There is something about having a hard copy of the information and being able to turn to a subject I want to brush up on. With that said, I have looked up a tremendous amount of info online. The bulk of what I know about the hobby has come from the internet. If you like books, get some and use the net for backup/confirmation.

 

[Ulee]

'New reef aquarium' by mike paletta

 

[fish farmer]

I have a copy of "Advanced Reef Keeping" by Albert Thiel in my library:).

I was recently going through Bornman's "Aquarium Corals" looking for basic care requirements for potential new additions.

 

[landlubber]

the internet is great with its instant access and limitless content but where it struggles is it has no way of curtailing peoples subjective advice and you end up with a convoluted mess of good answers and hot air.

 

[Redleg]

The biggest disappointment of my return to aquarium keeping is the lack of magazines and only being able to buy books from amazon. The magazine's from the 90s were great. But like the song says Internet killed the magazine star or something like that anyways.

 

[Greybeard]

You've got some good ones there.

I can't imagine that you'd really _need_ those books, what with the 'net and all... but. Buying books supports the people who spend the time, do the research, make our hobby grow... It's worth it, even if you jump on a forum to ask a question rather than digging the answer out of a book.

 

[SAPPER]

I definitely dont need all of those books, I have the marine biology one purely out of interest. I have had those books for a good few years now. I came out of the Army in 2009 and bought a few books. Kept tropical for 6 months then got bored and went marine. I learnt from books, magazines and mistakes. I was never a big user of the internet or Facebook. Then I started using Facebook to keep in contact with friends, I was suprised to find group a dedicated to this hobby. Then I started using the internet more. I still flick through the books now and then.

 

[reef lover]

BOOKS!! ;Bookworm;Bookworm;Bookworm as much as possible.

 

[rob G]

Anthony Calfo’s book of coral propagation is a great book. I was curious the other day what happened to him, I haven’t heard his name around the industry in a while. Is he still growing, writing or speaking about corals? I do love books but you cannot replace the immediacy of the info on the internet, have to question the source at times and find others that back it up and use your own knowledge about the topic, but forums like this are fantastic learning tools.

 

[SAPPER]

Forums like this are good but you should always read up on advice and information you are given before you act on it. Too many people ask for advice and jump to the first answer given.

 

[Alfrareef]

Both. Internet has tons of info but a good book it’s a value tool and you can always quickly get to it.

 

[SPR1968]

I love to read a good factual book from time to time, but I just find many of the marine aquarium books were written many years ago and are no longer up to date with modern practices and new equipment etc. I’m not saying they are wrong in anyway, but just not up to date.

I’ve only been doing this for 2 years so only know the current trends and ways of doing things.

There is so much factual information and articles on the Internet on pretty much any subject, that I tend to research everything online these days, although if I see a good modern book I would not hesitate to buy it. So any suggestions of books written in say the last 2 years I’m ready to buy!

 

[Alfrareef]

I agree with you (SPR) but over the last decades of hobby I’ve learned that if you study the “old” school you’ll manage better the hobby with the “new” devices and you’ll be able to select which of those devices are really a added value and not a marketing trend... remember that the water, fish and corals are pretty much the same... :-)

 

[Waters]

I like having the book in my hand....turning the pages...........is that weird lol? I do use the internet a lot though :)

 

[siggy]

The net will get you there but you learn nothing along the way. Kindle for entertainment and novels

 

[fish farmer]

I agree with you (SPR) but over the last decades of hobby I’ve learned that if you study the “old” school you’ll manage better the hobby with the “new” devices and you’ll be able to select which of those devices are really a added value and not a marketing trend... remember that the water, fish and corals are pretty much the same... :)

I'd like to add that when I started reefing in 2000 I was designing from the mid 80's literature, luckily I bought a few magazines, then I found the internet during the DSB era. I was online almost daily during the early 2000's on Reef Central and Reefs.org. By 2010 my internet use had waned even during my current build, I was successful with my first tank so I wasn't at the need of advice. Although now I realize it is nice to see what products and companies are available to the hobby now vs many moons ago. These things aren't covered in dated books.

It is stimulating to come back to the internet boards after several years....so you guys dose nitrates now....interesting:).