Results for “pH”

zoophagy

Feeding on animals.

allopatric speciation

Speciation event driven by some form of physical separation, e.g., the formation of new mountain ranges, followed by development of new genotypes and/or phenotypes.

Used in 2 profiles

cyanobacteria

Phylum of generally blue-green coloured bacteria, often confused with algae, that obtain their energy via photosynthesis and include unicellular and colonial species. Some species occur commonly in aquaria where they're normally regarded as pests.

Used in 21 profiles

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.

Used in 6 profiles

arthropod

Any member of the phylum Arthropoda, these being characterised by a (usually) chitinous exoskeleton and segmented body to which jointed appendages are attached in pairs. Arthropods include the insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, and extinct trilobites, and comprise the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.

Used in 3 profiles

Cnidaria

Phylum of aquatic organisms that includes the corals, jellyfishes, sea anemones, hydrae, etc., and characterised by possession of specialised venomous cells known as cnidocytes. Formerly included in the now-defunct phylum Coelenterata.

total dissolved solids

Measure of the total concentration of both organic and inorganic, microscopic particles suspended in a given liquid. Usually applied only to freshwater systems and measured using a conductivity or total dissolved solids meter with results expressed in units of mg per unit volume of water (e.g., mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Soft water with low pH generally has low levels of total dissolved solids whereas harder water with higher pH tends to contain correspondingly increased concentrations. Often abbreviated to TDS.

Used in 2 profiles

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.

Used in 123 profiles

acidic

Acid; tending to form an acid; having a pH less than 7.0; having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.

Used in 435 profiles

activated carbon

Processed, porous, highly adsorptive form of carbon also known as activated charcoal or active carbon. Used in aquaria to remove toxins such as chlorine, chloramine, some heavy metals, and especially organic molecules, but exerts no action on ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate or inorganic salts. Since it has a finite surface area it requires periodic replacement if employed long-term, and should be removed if a tank is being treated as it will remove most medications. Cannot be 'recharged' by heating in a microwave or domestic oven.

algae

A large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms and including seaweeds, diatoms, and Spirogyra. They're photosynthetic, like plants, and the majority are aquatic.

Used in 408 profiles

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.

Used in 94 profiles

allelopathy

A biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of others. Typical in certain plants, algae, bacteria, coral, and fungi.

allometry

The growth of body parts at different rates, resulting in a change of body proportions; the study of this phenomenon.

annelid

Member of the phylum Annelida which comprises a large group of segmented, usually elongate, worm-like invertebrates. Contains both earthworms and leeches among others.

Used in 1 profile

aragonite

Naturally-occurring, crsytalline form of calcium carbonate with a notable buffering capacity. Popular as a substrate or substrate additive in marine and freshwater aquaria where pH and hardness must be maintained at high levels, and has a more rapid, effective effect than coral sand, for example.

Artemia

Commonly known as brine shrimp; a genus of phyllopod crustacean inhabiting salt lakes and brines. Cultivated as food for aquarium fishes and available live, frozen or freeze-dried. Its newly-hatched nauplii are also a popular food for fish fry.

Used in 1,159 profiles

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.

Used in 1,187 profiles

biological species concept

Most popular concept of species in vertebrate zoology. Defines species as members of populations that do or potentially could interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature, regardless of appearance, therefore somewhat more restrictive than the phylogenetic species concept. In theory species are thus separated from one another by some form of reproductive isolation, though in practice this does not always hold true. Often abbreviated to BSC.

biometrics

Statistical study of biological data and phenomena.