CALCIUM (Ca, Ca++)
A necessary element used by salt water corals and other organisms for their calcium carbonate skeleton or shell.
CALCIUM CARBONATE (CaCO3)
CALCIUM CHLORIDE (CaCL2)
CALCIUM HYDROXIDE (Ca(OH)2)
CALCIUM REACTOR
A calcium reactor offers a simple and convenient solution for maintaining calcium and alkalinity in your reef tank. After the initial setup, the calcium reactor requires minimal maintenance. A calcium reactor is almost a necessity for tanks heavily stocked with stony coral where calcium and alkalinity demands are high.
It is also a great addition for those looking to boost the growth of coralline algae on their live rock. Calcium reactors provide a steady supply of calcium by using CO2 to dissolve media in the reactor and, thus, releasing calcium into your water. The effluent released also acts as a buffer to stabilize pH.
CAPTIVE BRED (CB)
Organisms bred and raised in captivity.
CAPTIVE REARED (CR)
Organisms are collected as larvae/post-larvae from the ocean with plankton collectors. These larvae are held past metamorphosis near the point of collection and then shipped to Puerto Rico or the US to be grown-out. Though they are removed from the wild, they are collected at at time when the have an EXTREMELY low survival rate; hence, there is virtually no impact on the environment. Captive Reared animals spend their "formative years" in captive care, so they share most of the benefits of their Tank Raised cousins.
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
Byproduct of fish and invertebrate respiration. Consumed by algae and nitrifying bacteria. High concentrations lead to acidic water conditions (a drop in ph.)
CARBONATE HARDNESS (KH)
The part of the total hardness that is formed by the ions of carbonates(CO3) and hydrogen carbonate(HCO3). It is symbolized by dCH. It is important to know the dCH of your water, as it affects both the ph. and Carbon Dioxide amounts in your water. It is also commonly called "buffering capability". a dCH of 4 to 8 is fine for most fish.
CARIB SEA REEF SAND / ARUBA SHELL
Dried reef sand used to help create a reef/sand substrate.
CARNIVORE
A meat-eater.
CARPELS
Female sex organs. They contain the Ovules which become seeds when mature.
CATADROMOUS
A fish that is born in salt water but migrates to fresh water where it grows to adulthood. Opposite of Anadromous. The common eel is one of the few examples.
CAUDAL FIN
The "tail fin." In many species this is the main fin associated with propulsion.
CELLULOSE TRIACETATE (CTA)
Type of RO membrane
CHELATE
Refers to a chemical complex where iron or some other mineral is tightly bound to an organic compound. This facilitates the uptake of iron and other trace elements by aquarium plants.
CHITONS
Invertebrates that eat detritus. (only for use in glass tanks)
CHLORAMINE
Combination of Chlorine and Ammonia that is frequently added to municipal water supplies to maintain municipal water quality standards. Also prevents the establishment of Biofilm in municipal water supply lines and storage containers. It is toxic to fish and amphibians. Can be removed by treating water with a Water Conditioner that is specifically formulated to treat chloramines..
CHLORINE
Chemical element that is frequently added to municipal water supplies as a disinfectant. Prevents Biofilm establishment in municipal water supply systems. It is toxic to many fish and inverts. Less stable but a stronger disinfectant than Chloramine, it can be dissipated for aquarium use by allowing the water to stand in an open container for 24 hours, or it can be instantly removed by treating water with a standard dechlorinator.
CHLOROPHYLL ABSORPTION
Process of Photosynthesis, occurs between 420-550 nm.and at 670 nm. Values for different type bulbs.
- Actinic= 420nm.
- Vitalite=420-670 nm.
- Ultralume=550-670 nm.
CLAMPED FINS
Posture adopted by fish where it holds its fins tightly against its body. Usually a sign of distress or sickness.
CLUTCH
The deposit of eggs left by a female fish. See Spawn.
COAGULANT
A chemical compound used in water clarifiers. It causes fine particles to stick together to be more easily removed by the filter.
COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI)
A number used for rating lite bulbs on a scale up to 100, where 100 is equal to sunlight.
COMMUNITY TANK
An aquarium which is populated with fish of several different species, all of which are compatible with one another.
CONVEXITY
Having the property of curving outward, like the outside of a ball.
COPEPODS
Copepods are free-living, symbiotic, or internal or external parasites on almost every phylum of animals in water.
COPPER (Cu)
Common treatment for Ich. Toxic to invertebrates, never use in a reef tank. Must treat in separate tank where levels can be checked frequently.
COPPER BANDED BUTTERFLY (CBB)
CORAL
A rocklike deposit consisting of the calcareous skeletons secreted by various anthozoans. Coral deposits often accumulate to form reefs or islands in warm seas. Any of numerous chiefly colonial marine polyps of the class Anthozoa that secrete such calcareous skeletons. The red-orange, pinkish, or white deposits secreted by corals of the genus Corallium, used to make jewelry and ornaments.
CORAL BANDED SHRIMP (CBS)
COUNTER CURRENT (CC)
A type of protein skimmer where water flows down.
CRUSHED CORAL
A Calcareous substrate material with pH buffering abilities, for marine aquaria.
CUTTINGS
Detached parts of stem plants: they take root after planting and become new plants.
CYANOBACTERIA (CYANO)
Cyanobacteria are relatives of the bacteria, not eukaryotes, and it is only the chloroplast in eukaryotic algae to which the cyanobacteria are related.
CYCLE
1. v. To establish the nitrogen cycle in an aquatic system by promoting the establishment of nitrifying bacteria. 2. n. The Nitrogen Cycle.
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