"You are not shy about sharing your experience and knowledge. I'm sure that your book will be an invaluable source of information for coral farmers and reef hobbyists, and if that is what you tried to do, then you have well succeeded. There is a good quote in there about the importance of teaching and it struck me that you have admirably filled that mandate."

Martin Moe, accomplished author and pioneer in marine aquariology.
 

"A treasure-trove of good ideas, great graphics... a must for reef [aquarists]."

Bob Fenner... noted aquarist, prolific author of the indispensable Conscientious Marine Aquarist
 

"I think your book will be a hit in that there are now a lot of propagators out there."

Mike Paletta... noted author of The New Marine Aquarium
 

"Incredible. I can't put it down. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise."

Don, Maryland
 

"Anthony, I just have to tell you, I have several hundred dollars worth of marine and aquarium and coral books, but this has to be the most informative and interesting I have ever owned!!! Thanks and keep up the great work."

Ron, Texas
 

 
"I have read this book cover to cover twice (many chapters more than that). I can tell anyone interested in growing corals that this book is a must reed. I only wish I had this book when I started reef keeping. It totally takes the mystery out of so many subjects that reef keepers are so conflicted about."

 Graves, Online MB
 

"I was hoping to read some new method for propagation and I found it, using the floral tubes for frags in my opinion is an excellent idea! I believe that your book will also help anyone who is propagating now, to get better results and growth! I was also happy to see that you recommend the books of other authors, most are very set in their ways and believe that their own way is the only way and will not recommend any other authors. In my opinion your book will help anyone who wants to prop corals... after reading it I would like to set up my own commercial propagation facility someday!!!"

Lou, Pennsylvania
 

"I'm really impressed with the book and feel you have put a lot of hard work and soul into it. I can read between the lines. And anyone who opens with that line from Calypso I know I see eye to eye with. Great line, great song, great effort. Hope the phone rings off the hook for you."

Joanne, Pennsylvania
 

"Anthony, To be honest I have to tell you that I owe most of my motivation to getting my business going to your book. I the president of a local reef club and at our meeting next week, my presentation is going to be all about stuff from your book. You have some amazing things you talk about and I wanted to share some of your alternative forms for filtration with the club. I bought a few extra copies of your book to raffle off at our next meeting and put one in our club library. Your book is my new reef reference."

Justin, California
 

"Mr. Calfo... It was truly a pleasure reading your book. I am still new to the hobby, however I devour all the available documentation, opinions, and information available to me. I can honestly say your book has helped me more then all the message boards and forums, LFS advice, etc. Thank you for taking the time to write the book. I can't wait for updates:)"

Sean B.
 

"Anthony, I have had to force myself to put your book down to get some work done ! So far you seem to be putting down on paper a lot of info that I've had trawl the net for hours to find ; a lot of this stuff is not being readily disseminated over here. It's nice to learn a few new ideas without all the work for a change :) I think there's a market for this book in the UK , it has a wider scope than I realized and could appeal to serious hobbyists as well as those of us interested in captive propagation."

Tim, England
 

"The "Book of Coral Propagation" is now my favorite book in my 40-some reef/marine aquarium book collection. If you are looking for a first-rate book on coral propagation and husbandry that is in-depth, up-to-date, and full of ground-breaking information, then look no further. Don't assume this book is just about propagation for the commercial sector or hardcore reef aquarists. It provides a holistic view on the husbandry of corals too, that even beginners can appreciate. In order to propagate corals, you need to understand how they thrive and grow, and this book will be your ultimate guide. So even if you don't plan on propagating corals, this book will still provide more information on husbandry than any other book out there. The coral family overviews themselves are worth buying this book. This book is thick, and it's not full of filler. Unlike most books in the hobby (and industry for that matter), this book actually contains valuable knowledge - and lots of it - derived from years of bona fide research, practice, and experience! There are many coral books out in the marketplace, and a few coral husbandry books, but all fall short of providing practical and useful information that aquarists can really use. Most of these so called coral books are reiterations of biology books or make good coffee table books (pretty pictures). This book is radically different! It is so refreshing to read a book that is actually useful. Looking at a picture book full of pretty corals is not going to help you grow and care for corals in your aquarium. Not only is this book useful, it is very easy to read. It's amazing how a book with so much knowledge and detail can be so painless to read and comprehensive at the same time. I would highly recommend all reef aquarists add this book to their current book collection. No matter how many books you have, you will find this book most useful and full of innovation, insight, and revolutionary knowledge based on real-life experiences of the author. And if you don't have any coral books yet, then look no further, save your money, and buy this book first!"

Jon, Pennsylvania
 

"Best coral/reef [reference] that I have ever read by far! You should advertise that any and all reef/saltwater enthusiasts would be interested. Hang in there... this book is a classic! Write another one or two [volumes] ASAP."

Ed, New York
 

"The book is especially valuable because it is unique for the topic. It's good to finally have all that information gathered in one place. I will have no trouble recommending this book to others. I give you a very high score for content!"

Mike, Arizona
 

"The author is a certifiable lunatic due to the fact that he is growing corals in a snow covered green house in landlocked Pennsylvania! That being said, he shares all of his insights gained over the years in great detail. There are sections on each coral family, propagation methods, system design, alternative filtration techniques, pests, etc."

Chris, California
 

"Anthony, I can taste the copper, I can feel the towel on my face... I can hunt squirrels in my backyard with blowdarts and a dab of P. Grandis from my aquarium... Thank you for the book, it is truly wonderful!"

Zo, Michigan
 

"EXCELLENT BOOK. Stayed up much too late reading it!"

Michael, Massachusetts
 

"We'll , I must say I'm impressed. As a relatively new person to coral propagation, my previous experience was mainly with a fish only system... was I ever missing out! I have been devouring many books , articles, info regarding coral, care and propagation. I purchased your book from seeing an ad in FAMA, when I first saw the book, I wondered "not many pics." But I was very impressed with the amount of pertinent info... just what I was looking for. So many coral books have the same standard husbandry info. Yours was very detailed. Well laid out and with the focus on coral propagation, for which info is hard to find with your amount of thoroughness. I must say thank you for your excellent book! You do the aquarium industry a great service with information like that. I think it will be very important to the aquarium industry as well as the deteriorating coral reefs. I will cut this short, I don't use my email very often, but felt that I must say Thank You! Keep up the good work! "

Darrell B., Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada
 

In a professional review by book critic Don Carner under About Saltwater Aquariums at About.com ,

"Recently I had the good fortune to be contacted by Mr. Calfo regarding his new work, the BOOK OF CORAL PROPAGATION, Vol. 1, Version. 1.0.

Encompassing 450 pages, this book is very thorough in its approach to coral farming. However, you don¹t have to own a greenhouse with 50,000 pounds of aragonite sand to appreciate the scope of Mr. Calfo's work. Anyone who is currently a reef-keeper or aspiring to be one needs to acquire this book.

My first impression upon removing the book from its packaging was one of disbelief. In today¹s age of slick advertising, high-gloss printing and dozens-upon-dozens of photographs, I wondered why anyone would opt for a [comb binding] with only several dozen photos. Well I can tell you that after reading the introduction and the first few pages of text, Mr. Calfo¹s strategy became apparent. Not many authors title their works in 'versions' as this one has. The book lays open nicely for reference. Actually, the only drawback if there be one is the ³dust² from the perforations that host the bindings. I had to keep brushing my slacks, LOL. . How best to allow ease of updates and page refinements other than the exact methodology presented here! My congratulations on original thinking...

With seventeen chapters commencing with conceptual dynamics and progressing right on through to our responsibilities as aquarists, Anthony Calfo has created a topical and important reference. As you get into the book, you¹ll learn the deep and caring attitude that the author has for his subject matter. His approach to the hobby and ultimately his philosophy regarding his aquatic charges, defines not only a dedication to the animals but also the need to reform our thinking. No longer will we be allowed the luxury of unlimited wild-caught animals and inverts. Propagation is the key to long-term survival of the hobby and our ultimate enjoyment of these wonderful creatures.

Line drawings and concise explanations of concepts and techniques are well thought out and easily assimilated. As mentioned earlier, if you¹re looking for fluff, this isn¹t your book! If however, your goal is to become advanced and more successful in your maintaining of exotics, then this IS your book!

Common diseases and their treatments, handling, collecting and transporting are all covered in great length. Basic setups, plumbing and accessories are included as well. Lighting, one of my favorite topics, is covered here and I must admit with a level of no nonsense that I find most refreshing. It¹s always nice to have a thought shared by another in the hobby! The one area that I found most intriguing was that of the suspension of frags and the implementation of construction techniques. This area has been covered by others in the past but Mr. Calfo approaches it in a manner not encountered before. There is truly original thinking to be found in the pages of this book. Pests and pariahs are covered including the most expedient of eradication measures. All in all, a complete guide to propagation that will have many benefits to those running smaller systems as well.

At $38.95 retail, it falls into that pricing area somewhere between Beginner to Breeder and The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 1. With proposed updates, online access to the author and more, I feel it to be worth every cent. I recommend it 100%.

I would like to thank Mr. Calfo for providing me the opportunity to add a most excellent resource to my library. Now, if only I can get him to autograph my copy, J"
 

In a review submitted by Mike from Arkansas to an online bookseller:

"FREE CORALS... that's what you'll have if you follow the advice in this book. Using the described propagation techniques, you'll be able to multiply the numbers of corals in your tank without ever having to whip out your credit card at the local aquarium store!

The Book of Coral Propagation was written by someone who farms corals commercially in a small greenhouse in Pittsburgh. There is something in this book for everyone who keeps live corals. Reef hobbyists will benefit in general from information on habitat, husbandry, lighting, water motion, and so forth. Those interested in farming corals commercially will benefit from chapters on greenhouse design and shipping and handling techniques. ALL will benefit from the chapters on coral families and propagation.

The book is packed with information-- nearly to the page edge! There are a few line drawings and color photos, but this is not a picture book. The book is clearly written and you'll have no trouble following along. The author's sense of humor even pokes through in places.

If you keep corals, The Book of Coral Propagation is worth having. Check it out!"
 

In a review by the most heinously conscientious reefer, Green Mariner, at www.greenmariner.8m.com, Louis writes...

The first thing that I noticed about this book is the binding, it is a spiral binder type which makes this book easily used as a reference, it allows you to lay the book flat, without destroying the binding. The second thing that I noticed is that this book is a very concise guide to coral farming, 450 pages of great information!

The book is titled in volumes and versions, after speaking to the author I learned that after the book is purchased, the buyer will get updates to this volume for free! The thing that I found most appealing is that the author conveys how much he really cares for the corals that he farms, it is not just a business to him. The next thing that I really liked was the fact that the author states that there is more that one way to provide for the inhabitants of your reef tank, he does not give the impression that there is only one correct way. He also states multiple times in the book that propagation is the key to the survival of the reef aquarium hobby, this I strongly believe!

The Book Of Coral Propagation is 450 pages with 17 chapters, it starts with different types of propagation system set-ups then proceeds to cover everything from system hardware to acclimating shipped animals, to coral placement and even includes a chapter on how to construct your own greenhouse to run a propagation business. The author also includes chapters on coral identification and coral care, as well as propagation techniques.

After reading The Book Of Coral Propagation by Anthony Calfo, all I can say is that now I want to go out and set-up a coral propagation facility! This book is for anyone that wants to offer their corals the best care they can, it is not just for those who want to start a propagation business. It is loaded with concise information from an author who truly cares about the animals in his charge. I highly recommend this book to anyone who owns an aquarium, in short, it is a concise and very well thought out book that has something that every Coral lover will take something very useful from. The book is available at Amazon for $38.95 and in my opinion is a must have for any reef aquarium enthusiast