If you are thinking about starting a freshwater aquarium, you will need to know what the terms are that people who have freshwater aquariums use. If you do not know these terms, then you may not be successful at keeping your fish healthy and happy.
Here are some of the important terms you should know:
Aerator - This is a device that adds oxygen to the water in your aquarium. They come in various shapes and sizes. Mine is a tube that lies underneath the substrate and bubbles up through the substrate adding oxygen to the water.
Algae - Is a single cell plant present in all aquariums. I add algae eaters to my aquarium to keep the algae to a minimum.
Ammonia - Is a chemical created by the decay of fish waste and excess fish food. This can be toxic to your fish but is consumed by the bacteria in your tank keeping the ammonia levels at zero ppm.
Bacterial Bloom - This is when the bacteria in your aquarium reach such a large population that they can be seen as cloudy water in your aquarium.
Filter - This is a device that takes water from your tank, filters the water to remove contaminants, and then returns the water to your tank. Bacteria colonies reside on the filters and grab up ammonia and nitrites as they go through the filter.
Heaters - Are submerged tubes with electrodes that keep your water at a constant temperature.
Ick - Is a common disease that could affect your freshwater fish in your aquarium. It is a parasitic disease that creates white spots on your fish.
Nitrates - When the bacteria in your tank consume nitrites they produce nitrates. The nitrates, at low levels, are not that toxic to your fish. They are removed by your aquatic plants and when you change out the water in the aquarium.
Nitrites - When the bacteria consumes ammonia the by-product is toxic nitrites. The bacteria in your aquarium will consume the nitrites.
Nitrogen Cycle - Also called the biological cycle, start up cycle, break-in cycle, nitrification, or cycling, is the process of creating beneficial bacteria that will consume toxic ammonia and nitrites. All successful aquariums will go through this process.
H - Is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the aquariums water. Tropical freshwater fish like the pH at 6.5 to 7.9.
Substrate - This is that stuff at the bottom of your aquarium usually made of gravel or sand. I prefer gravel because it is easier to clean. Substrate means a substance that is acted upon in a biochemical reaction. The stuff at the bottom of your aquarium is called substrate because of the bacteria that is attached to it. This bacterium is created during the nitrogen cycle.
