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Aquarist
I look forward
to this online magazine every month. Great articles, photos, and
tank of the month. I pick up a lot of useful info from this magazine.
Aquarium Fish Magazine
In addition
to FAMA, this is the other aquarist publication that I subscribe
to. I love the layout and photos in this magazine. This magazine
is a visual and editorial pleasure to read. Charles Delbeek, JR's
"Reef Aquarist" column and Karen Randall's "Sunken Gardens" are
the regular features I appreciate the most in the magazine. I think
AFM also has the best main features. One thing I can't understand
is the "Interactive Aquarist". This column which runs on the last
page of the magazine always has some information regarding the Internet
or the Web. I don't have a problem with the information itself,
but it's very basic and should be in a book like "Internet for Dummies"
or a more Internet or computer focused magazine. I can't think what
the editors of AFM should put on the last page, but it should be
something more aquarist focused. It's interesting how FAMA reflects
the look of RC Modeler magazines while AFM reflects the Fancy Publications
look.
Aquarium
Frontiers
It was sad
to see the print version of this publication cancelled just when
I was becoming interested in reeftanks. But the publication has
been resurrected online at www.aquariumfrontiers.com.
Recently, the publication has missed its online publication dates
of the 1st and 15th of the month (6/25/99),
but the content is always interesting with its focus on subjects
for the advanced aquarist. I like reading the regular columns, particularly
the "Tank of the Month"
Freshwater
and Marine Aquarium Magazine
I have a
particular fondness for this magazine because I had a series of
ideas I sent in for "For What It's Worth" back in 1983 that was
published as an article. Over the years, my brother and I have sent
in other ideas that have been published in the FWIW section. I particularly
like the Reef Notes column by Julian Sprung and the Sand Mail column
by Bob Goemanns, especially since I've become involved with reef
tanks since 1995.
This magazine
has always been on the forefront of new ideas and issues. I remember
in the early 80's when the use of cyanide poisoning in the capture
of marine species came to light. What's depressing is how some areas
are apparently still using cyanide for fishing. The state of the
reefs in the Philippines and Indonesia show how destructive the
cyanide poisoning was for the reef.
I also recall
how I really wanted a wet/dry system for my aquarium because of
the technology's profile in FAMA. I never did use a wet/dry because
when that system was in vogue, I was still using basic Hagen and
Whisper hang-on-the-back of the tank power filters. When I finally
set up my first reef tank, the Berlin and live sand method had supplanted
the wet/dry method of filtering a reef tank.
I would like
to see a redesign of the layout and graphics of the magazine. FAMA
has a very stale look compared to its competition. It looks much
the same as it did when I picked up my first issues in the early
80's. The photos in the editorial sections are often blurry and
out of focus. I know FAMA can do a better job because the ads in
the magazine are usually well designed and clear.
This magazine
has always had a plethora of mail order and now Internet company
ads. This is probably the reason why one doesn't see this publication
as much as the competition in local fish shops. An encouraging fact
I noticed while I was looking at a 1987 backissue of FAMA was that
it was much thinner than a recent issue. Ad pages and content were
up, showing strength in the magazine and the aquarist market.
Practical
Fishkeeping
The combination
of the layout, photos, writing and subject matter make this my favorite
print magazine. Although this is an U.K. magazine, I can buy this
magazine locally at the Tower Books at the corner of San Antonio
and El Camino in Palo Alto or local Borders stores. It's pretty
pricey at $7.50, but there's always something of interest in the
magazine. The magazine also has U.S. contributors such as Julian
Sprung and Bob Goemans. Definitely check out this magazine if you
get the chance. Reading this magazine, I realize how fortunate U.S.
reefkeepers are in their ability to easily get specimens from both
the Atlantic and Pacific.
Reefkeeping
Along with advancedaquarist.com,
this is the a great online resource that comes out every month.
I just hope these two online magazines can maintain their quality
and publication schedule.
Tropical
Fish Hobbyist
This is the
first aquarist magazine that I subscribed to. I remember when the
format of the magazine went from a digest size to a full format.
Of course, that happened right after I switched my subscription
from TFH to FAMA. I remember the lifetime subscription offer where
one would receive a free mounted piranha - I doubt they'll bring
that offer back. The offer reminds me of when purchasing a lifetime
subscription to Playboy, a Playboy playmate would personally deliver
the first issue. I should have taken TFH up on the offer, but I
was only 10 or 11 when the offer was made. In the years I subscribed
to TFH, I really appreciated all the help it gave me regarding freshwater
aquariums. I wasn't into the saltwater side back then. Presently,
I don't subscribe to TFH because the writing seems so simplistic.
Although the stock and pictures of the magazine are great, the magazine
feels "sloppy" when I read it. I did send in a subscription form
about six months ago when I wanted to give the magazine another
chance, but I haven't received any issues of TFH. For some reason,
this is the publication among the big three (AFM, FAMA and TFH)
which I find least often on the newsstands. |