Glossary

acid

A substance that can donate protons or accept pairs of electrons. The chemical opposite of a base. Acids have a pH of less than 7.

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Related terms

acidic
Acid; tending to form an acid; having a pH less than 7.0; having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.
alkali
A substance which neutralises an acid.
alkaline
Relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7.0; having a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions; able to neutralise an acid.
alkalinity
Measure of the buffering capacity of a given water body, i.e. its capacity to neutralize acids and bases thereby maintaining a fairly stable pH. Water containing compounds, such as bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides has a stronger such capacity and is referred to as hard water, while water lacking or deficient in them is termed soft water. Soft water aquaria tend to be susceptible to pH crashes if not maintained correctly.
base
The bottom or lowest part of something. Biology. The point of attachment of a part or organ, e.g., a fin. Chemistry. A substance that can accept protons or donate pairs of electrons. The chemical opposite of an acid. Bases have a pH greater than 7.0 and a solution containing one or more bases is often referred to as an alkali.
blackwater
In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to water rich in humic acids and poor in nutrients such as that associated with ancient peat swamps or parts of the Amazon river drainage, and thus differs from clearwater and whitewater. Fish species inhabiting such environments typically require similar conditions in captivity, especially if wild caught.
buffer
A substance that reduces change in the acidity of a solution when an acid or base is added.
DNA
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, a double-stranded, self-replicating genetic material comprised of a chain of nucleotides. Present in nearly all living organisms and is the main constituent of chromosomes. DNA segments containing genetic instructions are called genes and normally direct production and activity of RNA.
nitrates
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.
nitrites
A salt or ester of nitrous acid. Produced in aquaria via metabolisation of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas, and toxic to fishes if present in sufficient concentrations, but in a mature system is further converted into less-harmful nitrates by other bacteria of the genus Nitrospira.
phosphates
Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid. The presence or addition of excessive phosphates in aquatic ecosystems can have significant ecological effects such as eutrophication, and they are one of the primary contributors to algal growth in aquaria if allowed to accumulate. Conversely, they may be actively added to heavily-planted set-ups in the form of liquid or other supplements in order to encourage plant growth.
RNA
Abbreviation for ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded, self-replicating genetic material comprised of a chain of nucleotides. Present in nearly all living organisms, and replaces and performs the role of DNA in some viruses. Particularly important in protein synthesis and sometimes in transmission of genetic information.
tannin
Any of various yellowish or brownish solid compounds found in many plants and used for various commercial purposes. Derived from gallic acid and also known as tannic acid. Often present in water bodies with large amounts of decaying vegetation or where the underlying or surrounding soil contains peat and responsible for the typically brownish (tea-coloured) water in such environments and aquaria containing certain types of wood.

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