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H

Habitat
A habitat is the location where an animal, plant or fish naturally lives. It can be important to understand the natural habitats of the animals we keep in order to try and replicate them in the aquarium.

Hard Water
Hard water is water that contains many minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. When you have hard water (use a test kit) it can be more difficult to regulate the aquarium pH.

Heater
A heater is a piece of aquarium equipment that is used to increase or maintain the temperature of the aquarium water. There are many types and varieties of aquarium heaters on the market and it can be a good idea to invest in two lower wattage heaters instead of one higher wattage heater in case of heater malfunctions.

HOB
HOB is abbreviation for "Hang on Back" and refers to aquarium equipment that can hang on the back of the tank. Most aquarium products will list in the product description whether or not they are HOB. HOB equipment eliminates the need for running your own plumbing lines outside the aquarium but the downside is that you can easily see the equipment hanging on the back of the tank.

Hydrometer
A Hydrometer is a device used to measure the specific gravity of the aquarium water. Brackish tank and saltwater tank keepers need this device to monitor specific gravity levels.

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I

Internal Aquarium Filter
Internal aquarium filters are any type of filter that needs to be operated inside the tank. Examples of internal aquarium filters are the undergravel filter, sponge filter and corner filter.

Invertebrate
Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone. In aquariums, invertebrates are snails, shrimps, crabs, corals, anemones, etc.

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J

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K

K
'K' is short for Kelvin, for fish keepers the Kelvin scale is a thermodynamic temperature scale used when referring to the colour of fluorescent lighting. A candle flame is about 1800°, daylight is about 6500° and a cloudless day could be 10,000° plus. fluorescent lighting wise 10,000°K bulbs are a crisp white and 20,000°K are more blue in colour.

Kelvin
Kelvin refers to the Kelvin Scale that is used to measure the colour temperature of light. Common colour temperatures (measured in Kelvin - °K) are 6,000°K, 6,700°K, 10,000°K and 20,000°K.

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L

Larvae
After fertilization this is one of the first stages of life for fish and invertebrates. The larvae looks different from the adult form of the organism.

LFS
LFS is an abbreviation for Local Fish Shop/Store.

LED
LED is abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode, LED aquarium lighting is very popular as the lights run cooler then standard lights, use less energy and can provide many different lighting configurations.

LPH
LPH is abbreviation for Liters Per Hour and usually refers to the flow rate of aquarium filters or power heads.

Live Rock
Live rock is rubble that has broken off the coral reef structure and is inhabited by many forms of life that can be beneficial in the saltwater aquarium only.

Live Sand :
'Live sand' is sand that is used in marine/full saltwater aquariums only , it is populated with beneficial bacteria, invertebrates and other microscopic life forms that aid in the breakdown and conversion of elements within the aquarium.

LR
LR is abbreviation for Live Rock.

LS
LS is abbreviation for Live Sand.

Lumens
Lumens is the total output of a light source.

Lux
LUX is a measurement of the intensity of the light. Sunlight on a clear day is approximately 32,000 lux. 1 lux = 1 lumens/meter2.

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M

Mechanical Filter
A mechanical Filter is an aquarium filter that performs the function of removing the larger, suspended particles from the tank water. If the mechanical filter is not maintained regularly they can become a source for nitrate build-up.

mg/L
mg/L is abbreviation for millegrams per litre and a unit of measurement that is approximately equivalent to PPM.

Molt / Molting
The term molt and molting is used to describe the process of the shrimp shedding its old shell because it has outgrown the old one or it has shrunk and no longer fits correctly. They grow a brand new exoskeleton to replace the old one, It's a natural event which can happen every few months in an Opae ulas life.

MTS
MTS is abbreviation for 'Multiple Tank Syndrome'. This syndrome usually afflicts aquarists which soon want "just one more tank" in order to keep more and more shrimp.

MTS
MTS could also be in reference to Malaysian Trumpet Snail. You've just got to use context to tell which one a member is referring to.

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N

NH3
See ammonia.

Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrate (NO3) occurs toward the end of the aquarium nitrogen cycle and can harm shrimp and snails in high enough concentrations. In tanks without any form of denitrification, water changes are needed to remove nitrates.

Nitrite (NO2)
Nitrite (NO2) is the middle step in the aquarium nitrogen cycle where Ammonia is converted to Nitrites and Nitrites get converted into Nitrates. Nitrites are not as harmful to fish as ammonia, but can still be deadly if the shrimp and snails are exposed for prolonged periods.

Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle is a natural system which converts Ammonia to Nitrite and then Nitrites to Nitrates by beneficial bacteria that form inside the aquarium and in the filtration system.

NO2
See Nitrite.

NO3
See Nitrate.

Nocturnal
Nocturnal refers to an animal or fish that rests during the day and becomes more active at night or in darkness. The opposite of diurnal.

NSW
NSW is abbreviation for Natural Salt Water.

NTS
New Tank Syndrome - More of an old school term used to negatively describe an aquarium which has not completed the nitrogen cycle and cannot support life yet.

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O

Oxygen
Just like humans shrimp need oxygen for respiration which they take out of the water. Oxygen is dissolved in the aquarium water at the water surface. If oxygen levels drop too low, shrimp may suffer and even die. To increase the oxygen level in your aquarium, use a an Air stone attached to an air pump which will cause water surface agitation, thereby increasing the dissolved oxygen levels. Also know that cooler water can carry more oxygen than warmer water and avoid overcrowded/over stocked tank conditions.

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P

pH
This is a water measurement on a logarithmic scale that will tell you if your water is considered acidic, neutral or alkaline. A pH of 7 is considered "neutral", under 7 is considered "acidic" and over 7 is considered "alkaline".

Phosphate (PO4)
Phosphate (PO4) consists of Phosphorous and Oxygen, is a primary ingredient for algae. Aquarists should try to limit phosphates in the aquarium water to prevent noxious algae blooms.

PPM
Parts Per Million, is a unit of measurement used in many test kits and is equivalent to mg/L.

PWC
PWC is abbreviation for Partial Water Change.

PVC
Poly Vinyl Chloride, is a hard plastic type material used in plumbing aquariums and for routing water throughout multiple systems.

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Q

Quarantine Tank :
is a bare bones aquarium that is set up for housing new fish, invertebrates or plants for several weeks so we can monitor them for pests, parasites or disease. Using a quarantine tank is highly recommended and can save countless headaches and money, quarantine tanks allow you to monitor new arrivals for disease and other health issues.

QT
QT is abbreviation for Quarantine Tank.