Aquarium Designs: Inspired by Nature

by Peter Hiscock

This lavishly photo-filled volume demonstrates that having an aquarium to be proud of means much more than keeping fish in a glass tank. The aquarium enthusiast who takes his hobby seriously reproduces a part of the aquatic natural environment in miniature inside his home. Author Peter Hiscock offers practical instructions on setting up a freshwater tropical aquarium. He describes substrate, aquarium plants, and appropriate combinations of fish. Much of this book focuses on fish and plant life in nature, and then offers details on replicating natural settings in the aquarium. Both plants and fish varieties are shown in vivid color photos and described in detail. More than 450 color photos and illustrations.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature is a good general guide to getting a grasp of what's involved in creating and maintaining eco-niche themed biotopes. The author covers a broad range of info beginners should consider such as species selection and temperament, planting mediums, mimicking climate, and design aesthetics. Brief background is given for the various regional ecosystems which inspired the themes discussed.

I wouldn't say it's "lavishly photo-filled" as stated in the description, however you will find photos or illustrations on every page including nice annotated two-page photo spreads for each themed display tank.

This isn't a dense read, and if you have a specific theme in mind you could skip to that section, but If you're undecided then reading through the whole book before jumping into any monetary decisions and species selection is wise.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference for biotope enthusiasts.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best guide to biotopes I've encountered - by no means exhaustive in terms of potential fish/plant selection, but it gets you started on the right path.