Acronyms / Abbreviations "Reef lingo"

Acronyms / Abbreviations

AC
Activated carbon, chemical filtration media / alternating current
ALK
Alkalinity, measure of buffering capacity of water
ATS
Algae turf scrubber, reef setup technique
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
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
Fe
Iron
FO
Fish only, type of marine aquarium
GAL
Gallon
GPH
Gallons per hour
HCO3
Hydrogen carbonate
HO
High output fluorescent light
HSA
High speed aeration, type of proteins skimmer
I
Iodide
I2
Iodine
ID
Indentify
IO3
Iodate
IR
Infrared, type of light of longer wavelength than visible light
KALK
Kalkwasser, German for calcium hydroxide solution or limewater
KI
Potassium iodide
KISS
Keep it simple stupid
LFS
Local fish store
LHS
Local hardware store
LPS
Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral
LR
Live rock
LT
Litre
MACNA
Marine Aquaria Conference of North America, held annually
MEQ/L
Milli-equivalents per litre, measure of alkalinity
Mg
Magnesium
MG/L
Milligrams per litre
MH
Metal halide light
Na
Sodium
NaCO3
Sodium carbonate
NaOH
Sodium hydroxide
NH3
Ammonia
NH4
Ammonium
NNR
Natural nitrate reduction, reef setup technique
NO
Normal output fluorescent light
NO2
Nitrite
NO3
Nitrate
NSW
Natural seawater
O2
Oxygen
PUR
Photosynthtic usable radiation
PAR
Photosynthetic Active Radiation
PC
Power compact fluorescent light
pH
Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, equal to -log[H+], <7 acidic, =7 neutral, >7 basic
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
RTN
Rapid tissue neucrosis
SAL
Salinity
SG
Specific gravity
SHO / T5
Super high output fluorescent light, equivalent to power compact fluorescent
Si
Silicon
SiO2
Silicon dioxide
SPS
Small polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral
Sr
Strontium
SW
Saltwater / seawater
UV
Ultra violet, type of light of shorter wavelength than visible light
VHO
Very high output fluorescent light
W
Watts
WYSIWYG
What you see is what is what you get.

Thanks. I need this.

you forgot PUR... Photosynthtic usable radiation.

popebosephus wrote:

you forgot PUR... Photosynthtic usable radiation.

lol I'm sure I missed a few, maybe we can use this thread and continue to add to it.

Awesome post. Maybe now I will understand what some of my salty friends are talking about.

Sweet! Now when I come across an acronym I don't know, I will know where to go to find it! :) Thanks!