DAPHNIA
The ‘water flea,’ common crustaceans found in freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams. Cultivated or collected in the wild as fish food.
DEAD SPOT
An area of poor circulation, either within the substrate or in the water column.
DEEP SAND BED (DSB)
A sand bed Substrate deep enough to create anoxic areas in which denitrifying bacteria can reside. Used to keep nitrate levels low in an aquarium. See Plenum.
DEGREES OF CARBONATE HARDNESS (dKH)
DEIONIZATION (DI)
Type of water purification
DENITRIFICATION
A process that lessens the dependence on regular water changes natural source of calcium, strontium and trace elements which eliminates the need to siphon clean the system providing habitat for burrowing fish, anenomes and otherinvertebrates.
DETRITUS
Any waste created by living creatures.
DETRITIVORES
Animals that eat detritus. Consists of Spaghetti Worms, Chitons, Amphipods, baby Bristle Worms, and other detritus eating organisms.
DIATOM
Microscopic organism with a hard shell that remains after the death of the organism.
DIATOM FILTER
A Filter which employs the use of diatom powder (the skeletal remains of diatoms). Used to ‘polish’ the water by filtering out particles as small as 1 micron.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
A filter media made up of skeletons of Diatoms, used in Diatom filters, able to filter particles down to microns in size.
DICHOTOMOUS
Dividing into two equal branches.
DIOECIOUS
Having male or female flowers on separate plants.
DISPLAY
To ‘show off’ by fully extending all fins and exhibiting full or special coloration, and/or special movements of the body and/or fins. Usually associated with breeding, can also be for dominance or territoriality.
DISSOLVED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (DOC)
DITHER FISH
Fish added to an aquarium with shy or nervous fish. The dither fishes’ unconcerned behavior signals to the shy fish that it is safe to come out of hiding, and/or that it is safe to breed. Compare Target Fish.
DIURNAL
Active during the daylight hours.
DIVISION
Division of the vegetative point of Rosette plants into two or more parts for propagation.
DKH
Abbreviation for Degrees of Carbonate Hardness.
DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)
Rather than purchasing an item ready-made, or having a custom item made by someone else, the DIY project involves assembling and/or constructing something from parts and materials purchased, collected, and/or fashioned by the hobbyist.
DOLOMITE
A limestone gravel with a small pH buffering ability.
DORMANT PERIOD
Interruption of growth in an effort to adjust to seasonal periods of stress.
DORSAL FIN
Single fin mounted on top of the fish. Some species have two, one behind the other.
DOWNDRAFT (DD)
Type of protein skimmer
DROPSY
A condition in which the body of the fish becomes swollen due to accumulated fluids. It is not a disease in itself but a symptom of various diseases which may become fatal if not treated.
DUMP BUCKET
Creates surge, simulating natural wave action, providing added circulation, and adding to the health of the ecosystem by delivering food to, and flushing waste materials away from, sessile invertebrates.
DUTCH AQUARIUM SYSTEMS (DAS)
Aquarium manufacturer
DUTCH TANK
An aquarium which is designed to display plants in beautiful aquascaped arrangements. It may or may not contain a few fish.
DYNAMIC AQUARIA
A living reef system should look alive and a truly dynamic aquarium depends on many different types of creatures. Their life cycle is part of the ecosystem, the enjoyment is in observing it.
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