What Are The Common Aquarium Terms You Need To Know – Part 6
Here is the sixth installment of common aquarium terms which covers the alphabet F to L.
Mechanical Filtration: The trapping of particulate material from aquarium water by straining the water through a pad, sponge or other media, and the subsequent removal and cleaning of the media.
Nitrate (NO3-): A form of nitrogen that is the end product of nitrification. Nitrate is also the initial substrate for denitrification. Nitrate is not considered very toxic to aquatic organisms. The nitrate concentration in an aquarium will continue to increase unless steps are taken to remove it from the water. The most common removal method is regular water changes. Other means are the use of live plants, which utilize nitrate for their growth, or having a denitrifying filter installed.
Nitrification: The oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate by bacteria. Nitrification is the most important biological process in an aquarium as it forestalls the build-up of ammonia, which would otherwise increase to toxic levels. Nitrification takes 30 to 45 days to become established in a new aquarium, during which time ammonia and nitrite may reach toxic levels (called new tank syndrome).
Nitrite (NO2): A form of nitrogen that is produced during nitrification and denitrification by bacteria. Generally, nitrite is very transient, as it is quickly utilized by bacteria.
pH: A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration. The “p” stands for power while the “H” stands for the hydrogen ion (always capitalized because it is a chemical element); together they mean the power of the hydrogen ion. The pH of natural waters falls mostly in the range of 6 to 8.
Powerhead: A small submersible pump commonly used inside an aquarium to provide additional water movement. Several powerheads can be used in conjunction with a controller unit to stimulate natural wave actions.
Please keep in mind that this list here is by no mean extensive. I will add them periodically whenever there are more queries. For now, I’ve divided this list into 7 parts in alphabet order.
Common Aquarium Terms Series:
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Sep 27th 2008
8:15 AM
Informative Aquarium Terms.