Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies, 2nd Edition
by Maddy Hargrove and Mic Hargrove
Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2006927727
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-05103-0
ISBN-10: 0-470-05103-5
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7
2B/QR/QZ/QW/IN
About the Authors
Maddy and Mic Hargrove are both contributing writers for many aquatic magazines, including Tropical Fish Hobbyist and Aquarium Fish magazine, and are also the authors of several aquarium books. They have both been in the writing industry for over 30 years.
Maddys interest in fish began when she was five years old. She often dreamed of keeping fish at home as she watched the local fishermen bring in their daily catch in her hometown. She began keeping aquariums at age seven and began breeding fish at age ten. She built her aquarium collection by selling and trading her newborn fry to local aquarium stores in exchange for aquariums and equipment as she was growing up.
Her passion for aquarium fish continued on after she finished her college degree in journalism and began writing aquarium-keeping articles for print and online aquatic magazines. Eventually, she wrote several aquarium columns and began writing fishkeeping books to help other hobbyists enjoy keeping aquariums at home as much as she did. Her love of fish has also appeared in her greeting cards, cartoons, and other artwork.
Mic has kept aquarium fish for almost 30 years. He was one of the first sailors to develop a tank system that could keep aquarium fish alive onboard Navy vessels. His love of fish began when he saw many different species, aquatic traditions, and other hobbyists while on his worldwide military travels.
Both authors enjoy breeding fish, traveling, scuba diving, cooking and creating exciting new recipes, collecting old records, and computer games.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the memory of Maddys father who taught her the true beauty of the natural world in which we live. Thanks, Dad, wherever you are.
Authors Acknowledgments
We would like to thank our editor Corbin for dedicating himself to making this book great. We would also like to thank Claudette for her moral support when it was needed most. And we would also like to thank our two dogs who persistently reminded us that we needed to stop playing with fish and go out for a good brisk walk now and then.
Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Corbin Collins
Acquisitions Editor: Michael Lewis
Copy Editor: Corbin Collins
Technical Editor: Carol Sindelar
Editorial Manager: Michelle Hacker
Editorial Supervisor and Reprint Editor: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Assistants: Erin Calligan, David Lutton
Cover Photos: Maximilian Weinzierl / Alamy
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Patrick Redmond
Layout and Graphics: Andrea Dahl, Joyce Haughey, Stephanie D. Jumper, Clint Lahnen, Lynsey Osborn, Alicia B. South, Erin Zeltner
Special Art: Color photos courtesy of Aaron Alcantar
Proofreaders: David Faust, John Greenough, Leeann Harney, Aptara
Indexer: Aptara
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Kathleen Nebenhaus,