May 25 2008

Marine Aquarium Acronyms and Abbreviations Written by gregt

AC   Activated carbon, chemical filtration media / alternating current AFM   Aquarium Fish Monthly, magazine Alk   Alkalinity, measure of buffering capacity of water ATS   Algae turf scrubber, reef setup technique BB   Bare Bottom BOD   Biological oxygen demand Ca   Calcium CaCl2   Calcium chloride CaCO3   Calcium carbonate Ca(OH)2   Calcium hydroxide CC   Counter current, type of protein skimmer Cl   Chlorine CO2   Carbon dioxide CO3   Carbonate CTA   Cellulose triacetate, type of RO membrane Cu   Copper Cyano   Cyanobacteria DC   Direct current DD   Downdraft, type of protein skimmer DI   Deionisation, type of water purification DIY   Do it yourself dKH   Degrees of carbonate hardness, measure of alkalinity DO   Dissolve oxygen DOC   Dissolved organic carbon DSB   Deep Sand Bed FAMA   Freshwater and Marine Aquaria, magazine Fe   Iron FFE   Flying Fish Express, Mail Order Company FO   Fish only FW   Freshwater GBR   Great Barrier Reef GPH   Gallons per hour HCO3   Hydrogen carbonate HO   High output fluorescent light I   Iodide I2   Iodine IO3   Iodate IR   Infrared Kalk   Kalkwasser, German for calcium hydroxide solution or limewater KI   Potassium iodide LFS   Local fish store LHS   Local hardware store LPS   Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral LR   Live rock MACNA   Marine Aquaria Conference of North America, held annually MEQ/L   Milli-equivalents per litre, measure of alkalinity Mg   Magnesium MH   Metal halide light MO   Mail order Na   Sodium NaCO3   Sodium carbonate NaOH   Sodium hydroxide NH3   Ammonia NH4   Ammonium NO   Normal output fluorescent light NO2   Nitrite NO3   Nitrate NSW   Natural seawater O2   Oxygen ORP   Oxidative redox potential PC   Power compact fluorescent light pH   A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution PH   Powerhead, water pump PO4   Phosphate PPM   Parts per million, equivalent to mg/l (milligrams per litre) PVC   Poly vinyl chloride, used for piping / plumbing RO   Reverse osmosis, type of water purification RO/DI   Reverse osmosis, followed by deionisation, type of water purification SG   Specific gravity Si   Silicon SiO2   Silicon dioxide SPS   Small polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral Sr   Strontium SW   Saltwater / seawater TBS   Tampa Bay Saltwater, Mail Order Company TFC   Thin film composite, type of RO membrane TWP   Tap Water Purifier from Aquatic Pharmaceuticals UGF   Undergravel filter UV   Ultra violet light VHO   Very high output fluorescent light