Testimonials / Reviews




 

". . . How you managed to persuade 14 people to interview amazes me but I am glad that you managed to do so. I was also pleased to see how much emphasis each aquarist placed upon research - this is an area which is often overlooked but it can save so much time and money by doing it at the outset."

"Eric,

Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say what a wonderful book you have created.

When I opened the book I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to read and navigate. Being able to read it on my computer rather than being a physical book is a great idea (if it had been a physical book with all the information it contains it would probably have been a foot thick!)

Potential aquarists who are interested in starting a reef tank are quite often inundated with the amount of information that they believe they need to learn. This is quite often why a lot of people believe that reef tanks are impossible to keep which in turn means a lot of people unfortunately do not start a reef tank.

Being able to see into the mindsets of successful aquarists gives people the ability to be able to ascertain where they should be focusing on. Being able to also see the stunning pictures which have been provided also provides inspiration. I think that this book is a wonderful idea, an idea which will help the entire reefing community and allow for more people to be successful at keeping a reef tank.

The amount of information which you have provided is absolutely second to none. How you managed to persuade 14 people to interview amazes me but I am glad that you managed to do so.

I was also pleased to see how much emphasis each aquarist placed upon research - this is an area which is often overlooked but it can save so much time and money by doing it at the outset.

A great book - a credit to the author and a book which any aquarist be they beginner or advanced must own
."

Peter Cunningham

Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England
http://www.aquaristsonline.com



". . . I have found your book to be unlike any other I have found on the internet or bookstore."

"Hi Eric,

I have found your book to be unlike any other I have found on the internet or bookstore. Questions that I have been seeking answers for were answered within the first hour of reading your book. I love the fact that as a reader I am given multiple opions on topics and not just the authors. I find in other books I'm only reading about the authors experiences and opinions. I highly recommend this book to either the beginner or experienced reef keeper. You will be intrigued by how much information is packed into the book."

Larry Ferrara

East Meadow, New York


 

"There is nothing "Basic" about this book, it
is in fact truly unique and will take you from
the basics to the very advanced."

"Hi Eric,

Reef Keeping Basics is a bit of a misleading title.

There is nothing "Basic" about this book, it is in fact truly unique and will take you from the basics to the very advanced.

I have never read an e-book before and was looking forward to see how one worked. I can see now why it has not been made into a standard book, the ammount of information and pictures in the book is simply amazing. You would need a trolley to move it around if it were your standard paper book!

14 reef keeping hobbyists, each divulging their own secrets and techniques, many going in different directions but all reaching the same ending - beautiful and successful reef aquariums. Whether you are thinking about keeping a reef tank, a beginer already starting out, or a professional, you will find this book truly outstanding and one that you will keep coming back to time and time again."

Steve Musgrove

Somerset, England
www.muzzys-reef.co.uk


 

FishLore.com gives Reef Keeping Basics a 4.5 star review!
(read more here)

"By reading this book before embarking on your reef keeping adventure, you could potentially save yourself a lot of money and prevent many headaches. Don't just read this book, STUDY it."

"This is not your normal aquarium book. This is an e-book (printable for personal use) that contains a ton of vital information for anyone interested in starting a reef type saltwater tank. Starting a reef tank can be very expensive and with so much money tied up in equipment it's critical that we get it right the first time. By reading this book before embarking on your reef keeping adventure, you could potentially save yourself a lot of money and prevent many headaches. Don't just read this book, STUDY it.

Here's the premise: Eric Van Der Hope interviewed 14 successful reef tank keepers and asked them really good questions on nearly all of the possible reef keeping topics and you get to read their detailed responses. This book provides you with a quick way to learn from those more experienced in this hobby. Learn from their mistakes, experiences and knowledge.

What's really interesting is to read the different approaches to the various aspects of reef keeping. It shows you how no two setups are exactly alike but they achieve the same end result - a thriving miniature reef in a home aquarium.
 
This book covers a lot of ground and covers it well. After reading these interviews you should be armed with the confidence and, more importantly, the knowledge needed to get started right in the reef keeping hobby."

Mike Magnum

FishLore.com (Tropical Fish Information)
http://www.fishlore.com/


 

"It would take months to compile this level of detail from other books or online resources (if it were even available), . . ."

"Hello Eric,

Reef Keeping Basics is a practical, unique, and timeless addition to any reef keeper's bookshelf. The book covers 14 different styles of reef keeping, from the perspectives of 14 very successful reef keepers.

It's really like having 14 close friends tell all their secrets of success, in that these stories and questionnaires communicate all their strategies for success, challenges, things they wish they had known when they started, and more.

It would take months to compile this level of detail from other books or online resources (if it were even available), and Eric has creatively packaged this expertise in a easy to read, information packed volume!

I thoroughly recommend it for any reef keeper that wants to expand their knowledge in the hobby!"

Kris Duggan

frags.org (Online Coral Trading Community)


". . . compiling the information leading to the success of these 14 different hobbyists into a book is a fantastic idea! The interviews with these hobbyists was well thought out, leading to valuable, practical information covering everything . . . The investment in this book is worth ever penny!"

"Hi Eric,

Scientists don't usually bother studying how to keep a species alive in captivity till it nears extinc-tion. As such, much of the known information about reef aquariums has been learned thru trial and error of reef keeping hobbyists.

That said . . . compiling the information leading to the success of these 14 different hobbyists into a book is a fantastic idea! The interviews with these hobbyists was well thought out, leading to valuable, practical information covering everything from what they would do different from the start to everything that was done, resulting in the beautiful thriving tanks pictured in this book.

My family and friends tell me that I seem to be successful when attempting ventures in which I had no prior experience. I credit that to researching my topic and learning everything I can from the success and/or mistakes of others prior to jumping into un-explored territory. This book will assist you in doing the same, learning what has or hasn't worked for these experienced reef hobbyists will save you time and money.

Whether you are considering entering the reef aquarium hobby or have already embarked on your reef keeping venture you will find this book essential to your collection. The investment in this book is worth ever penny!"

Brad Leyten
Think Reef
http://www.thinkreef.com


 

"My fish tank is doing incredibly well after I followed some of the tips in your book . . ."

"Hello Eric,

A wonderful, wonderful book! I couldn't help but quickly browse through through it before starting with the first page. After I started reading, I realized it was exactly the type of information I needed to be successful in this hobby.

My fish tank is doing incredibly well after I followed some of the tips in your book . . .

I'm really impressed how extensive your book, 'Reef Keeping Basics' is. The information contained within is overwhelming and the images are gorgeous!

Your idea to pull together a group of successful hobbyists is excellent. There is no better way to learn - than doing it from those who 'walk the talk'.

It's simply impressive!

Thank you so much for this wonderful book!"

Timothy R. Hutton

Culver City, California


 

". . . filled with an abundance of information, tips and guidelines that will help the novice saltwater aquarists as well as the more experienced reef keeper to create beautiful and long lasting reef setups."

"Hello Eric,

Don’t be fooled by the name ‘Reef Keeping Basics’, it is not only beginners that will find this book highly useful!

Reef Keeping Basics is filled with an abundance of information, tips and guidelines that will help the novice saltwater aquarists as well as the more ex- perienced reef keeper to create beautiful and long lasting reef setups.

Eric has chosen to interview no less than 14 different successful reef keeping aquarists about their marine endeavours, which makes this book a great no-nonsense compilation of the real world of reef keeping.

The information and terminology in this book is easy to understand even for the less experienced aquarist and is accompanied by beautiful pictures that high-lights the various aspects of reef keeping.

I can truly recommend this book to all current and prospecting reef keepers that want to own a reef keeping book that is brimming with practical information, inspiration and ideas."

William Berg

AC Tropical Fish
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com


 

"You are told exactly what you need so that you aren't spending money on things you don't need and are able to start out with minimal expense."

"Hi Eric,

I downloaded your book and read a lot of it. You know what is going to happen? I'm going to get hooked on reef keeping. I have always been strictly freshwater but I think that is going to change. I must say, I am impressed! The instructions are so clear and the pictures alone (with their vibrant colors) are enough to persuade me to put together my own tank. You are told exactly what you need so that you aren't spending money on things you don't need and are able to start out with minimal expense. This book is so good that I have added a link to it on my HOME PAGE! It just didn't seem to fit on the "Links" page. Please check it out and let me know what you think."

Freda Ludwig
Your Aquarium Center
http://www.YourAquariumCenter.com


 

". . . sort of like a "tank of the month" compilation but in an organized format that makes comparisons easy."

"Eric,

Reef Keeping Basics shows us that there is no single way to success. This unique e-Book presents the reef keeping methods of different people - sort of like a "tank of the month" compilation but in an organized format that makes comparisons easy. One learns through the experiences of others, and see the great results in detail. It's a great way to learn!"

Ken Uy
Ken's Reef
www.maslac.org (Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County


 

"Those with little experience or those with tons of experience will love this book!"

"Hi Eric,

I'm pretty new to this hobby . . . and have been very confused at exactly where to start and what kind of advice to follow . . .

However, after purchasing this book I was totally blown away!

There is an incredible amount of information provided within Eric's book and I was totally 'floored' after viewing the awesome images! The individuals that have been interviewed are just normal people with normal jobs, their experience speaks for itself - just look at their tanks!

Those with little experience or those with tons of experience will love this book!

After reading this book I'm sure I will not be making the same mistakes as others have made before me. I now know what to expect and this almost guarantees my chances of success!

You've managed to pull together a fantastic group of 'reefers'! Thank you so much Eric for an excellent book!
"

Annabelle E. Johnson
Everett, Washington


 

"I can recommend this book without reser-vation to anyone who is interested in this fascinating hobby. I am inspired to build a new Reef tank, using all of the knowledge that I have gained from this book and confident of success!"

"Just imagine that you are about to embark on a difficult undertaking and that you want to get expert advice from people who have done what you plan to do, with a proven record of success. Then imagine that you can get several of these people together and ask them a series of questions so that you can compare their responses in order to allow you to decide on the exact course of action that you will take. You would come away from the experience with a wealth of knowledge and with the confidence that you would be able to avoid the mistakes that others have made.

That is how I feel after reading 'Reef Keeping Basics', an eBook that is distinctly different from anything that I have ever experienced.

The concept, as outlined above is absolutely brilliant. What is so different about this book is that it does not try to convince the reader that one particular method is the "correct" one. Rather, it allows the reader to compare the responses to a series of questions from fourteen (!) individuals and then come to a unique conclusion, one that is "right" for them. The book is well thought out and every important topic is covered in detail.

The spectacularly beautiful photographs prove beyond any doubt that the aquarists who are providing the information know what they are talking about.

As a Mac user, when I first received the notice for this book I was disappointed to see that it was for a Windows only platform. The concept of this book moved me to install Virtual PC on my G4 Powerbook and I am happy to report that this book works flawlessly. Now that the new Intel-based Macs that can run Windows natively, having a Mac should no longer be a problem.

I can recommend this book without reservation to anyone who is interested in this fascinating hobby. I am inspired to build a new Reef tank, using all of the knowledge that I have gained from this book and confident of success!"


Jim Macho, MD
Chief of Surgery
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
San Francisco
& Reef Keeper


 

". . .besides being one of most visually stunning books on salt water aquariums
I have ever seen, is a must have for any serious aquarist."

"Eric's book, besides being one of most visually stunning books on salt water aquariums I have ever seen, is a must have for any serious aquarist. The articles are fascinating, there is so much useful information here that I find myself constantly reading it over and over again. There is always something new to learn, or anew new idea. But those pictures, wow!"

Paul Joseph
Port Washington, New York


 

"I think this is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in reefkeeping, . . ."

"Hi Eric,

I'd love to give a testimonial for your book, and feel free to post it on your website. Sorry for the bit of a delay -- I wanted to think of something good to write! Here it is:

I think that "Reef Keeping Basics" is absolutely fabulous. I love everything about it. I think this is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in reefkeeping, and it really inspired confidence in a beginner like me just starting her journey into this wonderful hobby.

I found it fascinating reading all the different opinions and ways of doing things from all the interviewees, and I really like how you chose people with all different levels of experience, from beginner to experienced hobbyist. I wholeheartedly recommend "Reef Keeping Basics" to everyone!"

Shannon O'Rourke
Old Bridge, New Jersey