I'm getting closer to my first live Saltwater tank -

I'd like to have live rock, some fish, and some fish that I can start with and propagate into frags - to defer some of the cost of the hobby. I've already got a T-5 fixture - and a tank and the materials to build a stand laying around.

Re: Book - I'd like to get a first coral book - to learn how to take care of them - grow them - and frag / or propagate them. I've got both these books in mind - but haven't had the opportunity to see either one in person.

Book 1 Book of Coral Propagation

Or there is the Second edition that i could choose - but there's less reviews on it.

Book 2 Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Naturla History

The second book I've read a ton of reviews on - and it looks like a great reference book for choosing which Corals to purchase and care for - but I don't know if it has much in terms of Fragging for sales -

the First book on Coral Propagation looks from the review - like it covers the second topic very well - but I'm not sure how much it covers the actual selection of Corals - pics - etc.

My knowledge or corals right now - is only that I should use Reef Crystals. Everything else I'd learn will be primariy from one of these books. I may eventually own both - but for starters - I don't have the coin for both books - and would like to select one. Can anybody who's seen - or read both these books help me decide which to choose?

Thanks

Not like I don't want you to read the books or anything but, why would you buy any of those books when there is the internet and this online community. Save your money for your setup. I believe everything you need to set up a saltwater tank is here on nano-reef. If you need help than just ask.

I have the second book and it's great and still find myself looking up a few things in it every now and then. It doesn't really cover fragging and coral propagation though but there's a lot you can learn from it. Maybe you can start with the second book for now and then get the first one later down the line?

No doubt - I have no problem askin specific questions - and this site is great for general information - and specific questions - but I like reference books that I can sit down and refer to in an organized way.

Like flip back and forth between different corals / bookmark ones I like for further study / - and compare them in terms of color / habitat - whatever is interesting to me. I've got a quick reference book on fish and inverts - and they helped me hone into the most appropriate for my intended tanks - and I prefer that format to round out the internet info on sites like this one.

If you want to get into frag farming you need to pickup:

Practical Coral Farming by Miguel Tolosa aka Organism here.

www.practicalcoralfarming.com

He has been in the business for a long time and was the owner of Fraggle Reef.

I have both and Eric Bornemans "Corals" is a great book with alot of information about each coral and where they are from and found on the reef...lots of color pix
The Anthony Calfo book is more about fragging and how to frag certain corals a good read...no pix really

HTH

^ +1
What she said.
While not a big fan of the person, Eric's book on Aquarium corals has to be the best reference on different corals to keep. I have a fair collection of books, all of which I refer to frequently (frankly, the net is more for factoids IMO) Calfo's book is better for somewhat more advanced aquarists as he assumes you know quite a bit before you read his book. Good for fragging and setting up weird systems too!

Both are great books- I'm glad I own them both.
The 2nd edition of Calfo's book is the same, with added photographs - I'd recommend getting the second edition. Calfo's book is more about propagation and fragging of corals.

Borneman's book is also excellent. It has more pictures and is more about the corals themselves.

option 2 hands down