Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
Piece of aquarium equipment that can be thought of as an anaerobic filter. Provides a means by which large enough populations of anaerobic bacteria can be maintained so that nitrates are actively removed from the water in the form of nitrogen gas, a process normally facilitated by regular partial water changes. Also known as a nitrogen filter.
Any salt or ester of nitric acid, and the end product of the portion of the nitrogen cycle taking place in most closed aquarium systems (the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas in natural systems is carried out by anaerobic microorganisms not normally present in sufficient numbers in aquaria, though this process can be induced by installation of a nitrate reactor). While nitrates are less toxic than ammonia or nitrites, they are still potentially harmful to fishes and other aquatic organisms if allowed to accumulate unchecked, and must therefore be diluted via regular water changes. Aquatic plants also help since they are able to metabolise nitrates to an extent.
Used in 20 profiles
Genus of bacteria previously thought to reduce nitrIte to nitrAte in an aquarium, but which does not occur, or occurs in negligible quantities, in aquaria.
Genus of bacteria which reduces ammonia to nitrIte in an aquarium.
Genus of bacteria which reduces nitrIte to nitrAte in an aquarium.
To add more fishes to an aquarium than it is capable of maintaining in a biological or physical sense.
See pico aquarium.
Type of submersible water pump normally used to create additional water flow in an aquarium. One or more may be installed depending on requirements.
Used in 274 profiles
An aquarium set up and maintained for purposes of quarantine. May also be used to isolate diseased, parasite-infested or otherwise unwell individuals, in which case it may be referred to as a hospital tank.
Used in 1 profile
Type of lake that forms in a rift zone or rift valley and often very deep with steep cliffs around the margins, also known as a rift valley lake, sag pond, or fault-trough lake. The largest freshwater lakes in the world are all of this type. Also used in the aquarium hobby in reference to the Rift Valley lakes of the East African rift.
Used in 32 profiles
Generic term for any lake formed in a rift valley, but often used in specific reference to a group located in the East African rift, particularly those lying in its western and southern sections, i.e., the African Great Lakes. In the aquarium hobby the meaning of the term is typically restricted even further to include just lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria, the latter of which is not in fact a rift lake and is located in a shallow depression between the eastern and western branches of the main rift. These three lakes are famous for the high number of endemic fish species inhabiting them, especially members of the family Cichlidae.
In zoological nomencature, the second name in a binomen and in a trinomen. Has no nomenclatural function when used alone, though this is often done in aquarium literature or when referring to a species in passing if the genus being referred to is already clearly known. Also known as specific name.
Used in 24 profiles
Ratio of the density of a liquid to the density compared with pure water. Often used to deduce the salinity of aquarium water and measured using a hydrometer or refractometer.
Used in 6 profiles
A basic air-powered filter which draws water through a sponge before returning it to the aquarium. Typically used in small aquaria where gentle water flow is required, or when raising fry.
Used in 277 profiles
A surface on which an organism lives, moves or is attached to; the base material of a water body; a benthic habitat. Also used in reference to base material when added to an aquarium.
Used in 1,478 profiles
An additional tank connected to the display aquarium normally used to house filter media and other equipment.
Used in 99 profiles
See aquarium.
Used to check the chemistry of an aquarium. There are specific tests for individual chemicals (eg ammonia, nitrIte).
Used to monitor the temperature of an environment eg to ensure that an aquarium is at the desired temperature.
Used in 9 profiles
Large filter particularly suitable for outdoor ponds and large aquaria, consisting of a series of vertically-arranged chambers filled with one or more types of media. Water is pumped to the top chamber where it is dispersed, most often using a spray bar. It then percolates down through the other chambers via gravity before being returned to the pond or aquarium.