A B C D E F G H I J K L M – Z
A
- Adsorption
- The process by which filter media attracts unwanted molecules to its surface via a chemical charge.
- Adventitious root
- A root which develops from the node of a stem or similar organ, such as a Rhizome, Stolan or runner.
- Alimentary canal
- The tube of the digestive system through which food passes, where digestion takes place.
- Ammonia (NH3)
- A dissolved gas that even in low concentrations is toxic to fish. It is produced by the breakdown of organic waste products.
- Anaerobic
- A term used to describe an organism that lives in an environment with little or no oxygen.
- Axillary bud
- A bud, capable of developing into a lateral shoot, present in the angle between the stem and a leaf.
B
- Ballast
- A transformer which changes the voltage from your house outlet to the voltage needed to power different types of lighting.
- Barbel
- Whisker-like growths around the mouth, used for finding food and communication; a sensory organ.
- Basses
- Compounds that make water Alkaline. If water contains more acids than basses it’s acidic. If it has more basses than acids it’s alkaline.
- Black Water
- Water that has a dark cola-like color caused by Humic acids, it has a very low pH and is very soft, common in the Amazon river basin.
- Bubble nest
- A term used for a nest which is constructed of tiny air bubbles, produced by the male fish. It is used to protect the the eggs and fry. Members of the family Anabantidae are the most widely known users of such nests
C
- Calcium
- A necessary element used by salt water corals and other organisms for their calcium carbonate skeleton or shell.
- Carbonate Hardness
- The part of the total hardness that is formed by the ions of carbonates(Co3) and hydrogen carbonate(HCo3). It is symbolized by dCH. It is important to know the dCH of your water, as it affects both the ph. and Carbon Dioxide amounts in your water. It is also commonly called “buffering capability”. a dCH of 4 to 8 is fine for most fish.
- Carbon dioxide(Co2)
- Important plant nutrient. The higher the dCH the lower the (Co2). For most aquarium plants a level of 4-6 dCH is ideal.
- Synthetic organic acids that enable Iron and other trace elements to be absorbed easily by the plants.
- Chlorophyll Absorption
- Process of Photosynthesis, occurs between 420-550 nm.and at 670 nm. Values for different type bulbs.
- Actinic= 420nm.
- Vitalite=420-670 nm.
- Ultralume=550-670 nm.
- Coagulant
- A chemical compound used in water clarifiers. It causes fine particles to stick together to be more easily removed by the filter.
- CRI; color rendering index
- A number used for rating lite bulbs on a scale up to 100, where 100 is equal to sunlight.
D
- Diatomaceous earth
- A filter media made up of skeletons of Diatoms, used in Diatom filters, able to filter particles down to microns in size.
- Division of the vegetative point of Rosette plants into two or more parts for propagation.
E
- Etiolation
- The formation of weak, spindly foliage deficient in Chlorophyll, usually occurs in light of too low intensity.
F
- Filtration
- Method of cleaning aquarium water, there are 3 basic types. “Mechanical” removes particulate material. Chemical” removal of dissolved substances by passing through a type of media, like carbon. “Biological” which is the process of changing from a harmful substance to a less harmful one, by bacteria.
G
- General or Total hardness
- he sum of carbonate hardness and non-carbonate hardness. Usually expressed in degrees of dH.
H
- Heterostylic
- Having flowers which differ in the relative length of their styles and stamens, such that any one flower is very rarely, if ever, self pollinated.
- Hydrophilous pollination
- The transference of pollen from the Anthers of the Stamens to the Stigmas on the surface of the water or under water.
I
- Iron
- The most important trace element for plants. Iron deficiency causes Chlorosis; a disease that makes the plant leaves Yellow.
J
K
- Kelvin
- A temperature reading used to rate the color of lite bulbs. 5500 degrees K is equal to sunlight.
L
- Lateral line
- A line of sensory scales along the sides of fish that enables them to detect vibrations and electrical impulses from other fish.
- Laterite
- substance used in fresh water plant tanks to supply nutrients, either a powder placed under the gravel or chunks mixed in the gravel bed.
