Results for “aquarium”

aquarium

Type of vivarium containing water. Normally transparent, made of glass, plastic or acrylic and used to display, breed or otherwise maintain ornamental fishes.

Used in 1,715 profiles

nano aquarium

Small aquarium of arguable definition. Freshwater nano-aquaria are generally accepted to hold between 5-10 US gallons (4.16-8.32 UK gallons; 18.93-37.85 litres) whereas in the marine hobby any aquarium with a volume of 30 US gallons (24.98 UK gallons; 113.56 litres) is generally considered to be a nano-system. These definitions vary, however. Also known as a nano tank.

Used in 5 profiles

biotope aquarium

Arguably misapplied term used fashionably when describing an aquarium set up to resemble the natural habitat of specific fish(es) including replication of water chemistry, vegetation and sympatric fish species.

Used in 17 profiles

community aquarium

Any aquarium where the fish and other inhabitants are from varied geographic regions.

Used in 244 profiles

pico aquarium

Tiny aquarium of arguable definition, but generally considered to have a volume between 2.5-5 US gallons (2.08-4.16 UK gallons; 9.46-18.93 litres). Also known as a pico tank.

breeding trap

Net or plastic container suspended or floated in an aquarium and used to isolate gravid female livebearers or fry collected from the main aquarium. Available in a number of designs, with plastic ones generally containing two compartments separated by a grille or opening large enough that fry, but not adults, can pass through.

heater

Thermostatically-controlled device used to maintain constant water temperature in an aquarium or pond, also known as a heaterstat. Depending on design, may be installed submersed within the aquarium, sump or substrate (see heating cable) or inline with tubing attached to an external filter. Some types of the latter also have a heating element built in.

Used in 42 profiles

refugium

A region that has remained unaltered by a climatic change event and provides an area where relict species are able to survive; in aquaria the term is used to describe an aquarium or other container maintained within a larger system, usually displayed alongside or beneath it, where certain organisms that would not survive in the main aquarium can be maintained.

river tank manifold

Home-made device used to achieve uni-directional flow in an aquarium when inhabitants naturally occur in high-velocity rivers and streams. Typically, one or more powerheads are located at one end of the aquarium with intakes at the opposite end, these being connected via pipework located under the substrate. Though certainly beneficial, this should not be considered an essential requirement in hill stream-type set-ups, however.

wet/dry filter

Type of filter normally placed under the aquarium, and often home-made. The basic premise is that water trickles vertically downards through separated compartments containing mechanical and biological filter media with spaces inbetween so that it is also exposed to the air briefly. It then collects in a base chamber or sump from where it is pumped back to the main aquarium. There are many commercial designs available, some of which are more effective than others. Not popular in marine reef aquaria due to the associated accumulation of nitrates as by-product.

acclimation

Adaptation to a new climate or environment. Used in reference to the process of slowly introducing an animal to a new environment, e.g., when adding new fish or invertebrates to an aquarium. Same meaning as acclimatisation.

Used in 35 profiles

air pump

Device used to pump air into an aquarium for aeration or driving of air-powered filters.

air stone

Processed piece of porous stone, glass, limewood, ceramic or synthetic material that is attached to the end of a length of airline and used to diffuse air into an aquarium in order to increase aeration. Available in a large range of shapes and sizes.

Used in 87 profiles

algae crab

Loose term used to describe any type of crab useful in an aquarium because it eats algae and/or diatoms. In marine aquaria this would include Sally Lightfoot, Emerald and various species of hermit crab. In freshwater the micro-crab Limnopilos naiyanetri fills the same role.

aquarist

A person studying aquatic life or maintaining organisms in an aquarium, whether as a hobby or profession.

Used in 269 profiles

aquascape

To arrange plants and other décor in an aquarium, the art of which is a hobby itself for many people. Also refers to the completed display once all décor has been added.

Used in 6 profiles

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

automatic feeder

Automated device used to regulate feeding of prepared foods to fishes in the aquarium hobby and intensive aquaculture.

automatic top off

Automated system for adding water to an aquarium or sump in order to maintain a constant water volume. Particularly important in marine aquaria where salinity increases if water is allowed to evaporate without being replaced.

biofilter

Pollution control technique employing living matter to capture and biologically degrade potential pollutants. Aquarium biofilters tend to contain a medium with a large specific surface area (SSA) favouring colonisation by billions of beneficial microorganisms.

Used in 6 profiles