Reference library

Aquarium glossary - 127 terms defined

127-term aquarium glossary covering reef chemistry, freshwater husbandry, equipment, breeding, and disease treatment. DefinedTerm schema for AI citation.

AEFW (Acropora-eating flatworm)AEFW (Acropora-eating flatworm) definition + reef-tank usage. AEFW (Acropora-eat... Alkalinity (Buffering capacity)Alkalinity (Buffering capacity) definition + reef-tank usage. Alkalinity is the ... AllelopathyAllelopathy is the chemical warfare between corals - releasing terpenoid compoun... Ammonia (NH3/NH4+)Ammonia (NH3/NH4+) definition + reef-tank usage. Ammonia (NH3 / NH4+) is the pri... Ammonia detoxifierAmmonia detoxifiers (Seachem Prime, ClorAm-X) bind toxic ammonia into a non-toxi... Ammonia Poisoning (NH3/NH4+ toxicity)Ammonia Poisoning (NH3/NH4+ toxicity) definition + aquarium usage. Ammonia poiso... AmphipodsAmphipods are small crustaceans (1-15mm) that live in refugiums and rockwork. Th... Apex ControllerThe Neptune Apex is the leading aquarium automation controller. Monitors tempera... ApistogrammaApistogramma (apisto) is a genus of small (2-3 inch) South American dwarf cichli... Aquaculture (Captive breeding + propagation)Aquaculture (Captive breeding + propagation) definition + reef-tank usage. Aquac... Aquascape (Tank layout design)Aquascape (Tank layout design) definition + reef-tank usage. Aquascape is the ar... ATO (Auto Top Off)ATO (Auto Top Off) definition + reef-tank usage. ATO (Auto Top Off) is a system ... Bali Aquarich (Indonesian aquaculture pioneer)Bali Aquarich (Indonesian aquaculture pioneer) definition + reef-tank usage. Bal... BBA (Black Beard Algae) (Audouinella)BBA (Black Beard Algae) (Audouinella) definition + aquarium usage. BBA (black be... BiofilmBiofilm is a thin slime layer of bacteria + microorganisms that develops on ever... Biological filtrationBiological filtration is the bacterial process that converts toxic ammonia to ni... Biopellets (NP biopellets)Biopellets (NP biopellets) definition + reef-tank usage. Biopellets are a slow-r... Biotope aquariumA biotope aquarium recreates a specific ecosystem - same species, water paramete... BPS (Bubbles Per Second (CO2))BPS (Bubbles Per Second (CO2)) definition + aquarium usage. BPS (Bubbles Per Sec... Calcium (Ca2+)Calcium (Ca2+) definition + reef-tank usage. Calcium (Ca2+) is the cation that c... Chemical filtrationChemical filtration uses adsorbent media (activated carbon, GFO, Purigen) to rem... CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) definition + ree... CO2 Injection (Pressurized planted-tank carbon source)CO2 Injection (Pressurized planted-tank carbon source) definition + reef-tank us... CopepodsCopepods are 0.5-2mm crustaceans (Tisbe biminiensis, Tigriopus, Apocyclops) that... Coral dipA coral dip is a brief immersion (5-15 min) of new coral frags in disinfectant s... Coral Dip (Quarantine bath for new coral)Coral Dip (Quarantine bath for new coral) definition + reef-tank usage. A coral ... Coralline algaeCoralline algae are calcifying red algae (Lithothamnion, Porolithon, Mesophyllum... Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS)Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) are red+white striped Caridina shrimp.... CUC (Cleanup Crew)CUC (Cleanup Crew) definition + reef-tank usage. CUC (Cleanup Crew) refers to th... Cupramine (Seachem ionic copper)Cupramine (Seachem ionic copper) definition + reef-tank usage. Cupramine is Seac... Cyanoacrylate (CA / superglue gel)Cyanoacrylate (CA / superglue gel) definition + reef-tank usage. Cyanoacrylate (... Cycling (Nitrogen cycle establishment)Cycling (Nitrogen cycle establishment) definition + reef-tank usage. Cycling is ... Cycling the Tank (Establishing the nitrogen cycle)Cycling the Tank (Establishing the nitrogen cycle) definition + aquarium usage. ... Dechlorinator (Water conditioner)Dechlorinator (Water conditioner) definition + aquarium usage. Dechlorinator (wa... DenitrificationDenitrification is the anaerobic bacterial process that converts nitrate (NO3) t... dKH (Degrees of Carbonate Hardness)dKH (Degrees of Carbonate Hardness) definition + reef-tank usage. dKH (degrees o... DOA (Dead On Arrival)DOA (Dead On Arrival) definition + reef-tank usage. DOA is the standard livestoc... Estimative Index (EI)Estimative Index (EI) is a planted-tank dosing method where macros + micros are ... Feather duster wormFeather duster worms (Sabellidae) are filter-feeding tube worms with feathery ra... Feeder Fish (Live food fish (rosy reds, goldfish))Feeder Fish (Live food fish (rosy reds, goldfish)) definition + aquarium usage. ... Fertilization (planted) (Aquarium plant nutrient dosing)Fertilization (planted) (Aquarium plant nutrient dosing) definition + reef-tank ... Fish keepers + LFS abbreviationsCommon aquarium hobby abbreviations: LFS (Local Fish Store), LRS (Local Reef Sto... Frag (coral)A frag is a small piece (1-3 inches) of coral cut from a larger colony for sale,... Frag Plug (Coral mounting disc)Frag Plug (Coral mounting disc) definition + reef-tank usage. A frag plug is a s... Frag Tank (Coral propagation tank)Frag Tank (Coral propagation tank) definition + reef-tank usage. A frag tank is ... GAC (Granular Activated Carbon)GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) definition + reef-tank usage. GAC (Granular Acti... GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide)GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) definition + reef-tank usage. GFO (Granular Ferric O... GPH vs LPHGPH (gallons per hour) and LPH (liters per hour) measure pump + filter flow rate... Gut-loadingGut-loading is feeding live food (brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis) nutritious algae... HardscapeHardscape is the non-living structural component of an aquascape: rock, driftwoo... HOB filterHOB (Hang-on-Back) filters hang on the rim of the tank, drawing water through an... Hospital Tank (Treatment-only quarantine)Hospital Tank (Treatment-only quarantine) definition + aquarium usage. A hospita... Hyposalinity (Reduced-salinity treatment)Hyposalinity (Reduced-salinity treatment) definition + reef-tank usage. Hyposali... Hyposalinity treatmentHyposalinity is a marine ich treatment that drops salinity from 35 ppt to 12 ppt... Hypoxia (Low dissolved oxygen)Hypoxia (Low dissolved oxygen) definition + aquarium usage. Hypoxia in aquariums... Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans (saltwater) / Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (freshwater))Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans (saltwater) / Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (freshwate... Ich management strategyIch Management Strategy (IMS) is the philosophy that ich is endemic in most reef... ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) definition + reef-tank usa... IodineIodine is a trace element required by reef inverts (shrimp, snails, soft corals,... Iwagumi (Japanese rock-only aquascape)Iwagumi (Japanese rock-only aquascape) definition + reef-tank usage. Iwagumi is ... Kalkwasser (Calcium hydroxide solution)Kalkwasser (Calcium hydroxide solution) definition + reef-tank usage. Kalkwasser... Kelvin (Color temperature unit)Kelvin (Color temperature unit) definition + reef-tank usage. Kelvin (K) measure... Kelvin (K) lightingKelvin (K) measures the color temperature of light. Aquarium lighting ranges fro... KribensisKribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher) is a peaceful 4-inch West African dwarf cichl... Lacey Act (US wildlife trade law)Lacey Act (US wildlife trade law) definition + reef-tank usage. The Lacey Act is... Leather coralLeather corals (Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Lobophytum) are soft corals with rubbery... Live Rock (Biological filtration substrate)Live Rock (Biological filtration substrate) definition + reef-tank usage. Live r... Live Sand (Biological substrate)Live Sand (Biological substrate) definition + reef-tank usage. Live sand is arag... LPS vs SPS coralLPS (Large Polyp Stony) and SPS (Small Polyp Stony) are the two main hard-coral ... MacroalgaeMacroalgae are large multicellular marine algae (chaetomorpha, caulerpa, gracila... Magnesium (Mg2+)Magnesium (Mg2+) definition + reef-tank usage. Magnesium (Mg2+) is the trace ele... Mature tankA mature tank is one with established biological filtration, stable parameters, ... Mechanical filtrationMechanical filtration removes physical debris (uneaten food, fish waste, plant m... Metal Halide vs LED (Reef lighting comparison)Metal Halide vs LED (Reef lighting comparison) definition + reef-tank usage. Met... Micron filter sockA micron filter sock is a fabric tube that strains particulate from sump-fed wat... Mounting Epoxy (Two-part underwater epoxy)Mounting Epoxy (Two-part underwater epoxy) definition + reef-tank usage. Mountin... MP40 (EcoTech wavemaker)MP40 (EcoTech wavemaker) definition + reef-tank usage. The EcoTech MP40 is a con... MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome)MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) definition + aquarium usage. MTS (Multiple Tank Syn... Mushroom coralMushroom corals are soft, disc-shaped corals (Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea, Yu... Neptune Apex (Aquarium controller)Neptune Apex (Aquarium controller) definition + reef-tank usage. The Neptune Ape... Nitrate (NO3-)Nitrate (NO3-) definition + reef-tank usage. Nitrate (NO3-) is the final product... Nitrate Poisoning (Chronic NO3- toxicity)Nitrate Poisoning (Chronic NO3- toxicity) definition + aquarium usage. Nitrate p... Nitrite (NO2-)Nitrite (NO2-) definition + reef-tank usage. Nitrite (NO2-) is the second produc... Old tank syndromeOld Tank Syndrome (OTS) is a chronic decline in water quality in long-running ta... ORA (Oceans, Reefs and Aquariums)ORA (Oceans, Reefs and Aquariums) definition + reef-tank usage. ORA (Oceans, Ree... OsmoregulationOsmoregulation is how fish maintain internal salt and water balance against thei... Osmotic Shock (Water-chemistry crash from sudden parameter shift)Osmotic Shock (Water-chemistry crash from sudden parameter shift) definition + a... Overflow boxAn overflow box is a chamber on or around the tank that maintains a constant wat... PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation)PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) definition + reef-tank usage. PAR (Pho... Phosphate (PO4)Phosphate (PO4) is a critical reef nutrient that fuels coral growth at low level... Photoperiod (Daily lighting duration)Photoperiod (Daily lighting duration) definition + reef-tank usage. Photoperiod ... PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton are single-celled algae (Nannochloropsis, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis)... PlakatPlakat is the short-finned, traditional form of Betta splendens - more athletic,... Powerhead (In-tank flow pump)Powerhead (In-tank flow pump) definition + reef-tank usage. A powerhead is an in... PraziPro (Praziquantel treatment)PraziPro (Praziquantel treatment) definition + reef-tank usage. PraziPro is a pr... Protein Skimmer (Foam fractionator)Protein Skimmer (Foam fractionator) definition + reef-tank usage. A protein skim... Quarantine (QTQuarantine (QT - isolation tank) definition + reef-tank usage. Quarantine (QT) i... Redox / ORPORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential, measured in millivolts) gauges water's overa... Reef-safe"Reef-safe" describes fish, inverts, and equipment that don't harm cor... Reef2ReefReef2Reef (R2R) is the largest English-language reef-keeping forum + community. ... Refractometer (Salinity measurement instrument)Refractometer (Salinity measurement instrument) definition + reef-tank usage. A ... Refugium (Sump-attached macroalgae chamber)Refugium (Sump-attached macroalgae chamber) definition + reef-tank usage. A refu... Return Pump (Sump-to-display pump)Return Pump (Sump-to-display pump) definition + reef-tank usage. A return pump p... Rock flower anemoneRock flower anemones (Phymanthus crucifer) are reef-safe, non-stinging Caribbean... RODI (Reverse Osmosis + Deionization)RODI (Reverse Osmosis + Deionization) definition + reef-tank usage. RODI (Revers... Rolly polliesRolly pollies are polyp balls that detach from a parent zoanthid colony or mushr... RTN (Rapid Tissue Necrosis)RTN (Rapid Tissue Necrosis) definition + reef-tank usage. RTN (Rapid Tissue Necr... Salinity (Total dissolved salt)Salinity (Total dissolved salt) definition + reef-tank usage. Salinity is the co... Siphon (gravel vacuum)A siphon (or gravel vacuum) is a tube + wide head used to remove water + waste f... Sodium thiosulfateSodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) is the active dechlorinator in most water condition... Specific Gravity (SG)Specific Gravity (SG) definition + reef-tank usage. Specific Gravity (SG) is the... Sponge filterSponge filters are air-driven biological filters with a porous sponge over an ai... SPS colorationSPS coral coloration is driven by zooxanthellae density (browns), pigment protei... STN (Slow Tissue Necrosis)STN (Slow Tissue Necrosis) definition + reef-tank usage. STN (Slow Tissue Necros... Sump (External plumbing chamber)Sump (External plumbing chamber) definition + reef-tank usage. A sump is a secon... Sustainable Aquatics (US captive-breeding operation)Sustainable Aquatics (US captive-breeding operation) definition + reef-tank usag... Tank Transfer Method (TTM)Tank Transfer Method (TTM) is a marine ich treatment using 4 transfers between s... TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) definition + reef-tank usage. TDS (Total Dissolved ... TDS meterA TDS meter measures Total Dissolved Solids in ppm. RO/DI water should read 0-2 ... TTM (Tank Transfer Method)TTM (Tank Transfer Method) definition + reef-tank usage. TTM (Tank Transfer Meth... Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum (saltwater))Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum (saltwater)) definition + reef-tank usage. Velvet... Vodka Dosing (Carbon-source nutrient export)Vodka Dosing (Carbon-source nutrient export) definition + reef-tank usage. Vodka... Wave makerA wave maker (or wavemaker) creates oscillating flow patterns in the tank by alt... Wavemaker (Programmable powerhead)Wavemaker (Programmable powerhead) definition + aquarium usage. A wavemaker is a... WCMW (White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes))WCMW (White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)) definition + aquarium ... Wet/Dry Filter (Trickle filter)Wet/Dry Filter (Trickle filter) definition + aquarium usage. Wet/dry filter (tri... WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) definition + reef-tank usage. WYSIWYG is ...