Reading Recommendations

Dom · May 16, 2016

I'd like to find a good book(s) on the subject of reef chemistry. It should be a book written in plain English with the hobbyist in mind and not someone with an advanced degree.

Thank you.

jsker · May 16, 2016

Dom said:
I'd like to find a good book(s) on the subject of reef chemistry. It should be a book written in plain English with the hobbyist in mind and not someone with an advanced degree.

Thank you.

@Randy Holmes-Farley here in the site has a bunch or articles on the net and most likely some hard copies too.

jason2459 · May 16, 2016

All the articles linked in the stickies above are invaluable for aquarium specific needs.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randys-reef-chemistry-articles.174821/

An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea by Michael E. Q. Pilson is a good start to understanding the chemistry and workings of the ocean. Plus it's available on Kindle.

Dom · May 16, 2016

Much of what I read on line, I find, is written at a level which requires a degree in chemistry.

Kungpaoshizi · May 16, 2016

When in doubt, do an internet search for your question in this form, <insert main words of question> + reef tank

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 16, 2016

Dom said:
Much of what I read on line, I find, is written at a level which requires a degree in chemistry.

The purpose of this forum is to help explain those issues which need further explanation. :)

One of the issues is that in writing such articles, if you do not give a complete explanation of why certain things are true, the articles end up looking like just an opinion piece when they may be clear scientific facts,

Unfortunately, there are many simplified chemistry discussions which get things wrong in important ways, or which do not distinguish opinion (limewater cannot be used to raise parameters) from fact (using limewater to boost calcium by 20 ppm will result in a rise in alkalinity of 2.8 dKH).