Aquariophilie (aquarium hobby/keeping)

20 Aquarium keeping is the hobby of caring for aquatic animals and plants in an aquarium, pond or ornamental basin, enhancing the aesthetic aspect of an aquatic environment. In my case, especially for freshwater aquariums. terms

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(aquarium) Tank

A glass container for animals such as fish, snakes, frogs...

Example: To start an aquarium, the first thing you need is a tank, which size depends on the type of fish and the number of them that you want to put in.

fr: Bocal/aquarium

Acclimation

The process of slowly introducing and adjusting fish or other organisms to new water conditions, usually following purchase or transport from one aquarium to another.

Example: Before introducing your animal to the tank, it is important to acclimate them to avoid any issues or possible deaths.

fr: Acclimatation

Air Pump

Mechanical device that compresses air and forces it into your aquarium, via flexible tubing. Used to run air stones, under-gravel filters, or decorations and create air bubbles that add oxygen to aquarium water.

Example: If your aquarium contains live plants, it is necessary to add an air pump to oxygenate the water and promote growth.

fr: Pompe (à air)

Algae

Simple rootless plants that grow in bodies of water in relative proportion to the amount of nutrients available. Algae produce oxygen (photosynthesize) with sunlight (natural or artificial) and use oxygen (respire) during the night hours. Some types of algae are beneficial to aquatic environments while others can be considered a nuisance.

Example: It was too shallow, water not clear, and the sides were a bit green due to algea.

fr: Algues

Ammonia (NH3)

Toxic chemical byproduct produced during the breakdown of proteins in uneaten fish food, decaying wastes, or excreted by fish through natural metabolic processes. It is converted into nitrite and then nitrate by naturally occuring beneficial bacteria in a process called the nitrogen cycle.

Example: If ammonia isn't broken down, it can pollute the tank water and kill your animals.

fr: Ammoniac

Aquascape

Contraction of "aquarium landscape." Refers to the overall physical design and layout of the aquarium interior including rock, plants, and accessories.

Example: When you get a fish, you need to create an environment using aquascaping techniques.

fr: Paysage aquatique (souvent le terme "aquascaping" est utilisé en français également)

Bacterial supplements

Doses of bacterial colonies used to speed up or ensure the growth of a tank’s biofilter during the cycling process. Once bacterial supplements are added to the aquarium, they must be regularly dosed with ammonia by either ghost feeding or adding drops of pure ammonia to the water until animals are introduced to the aquarium.

Example: I’ve done a lot of research to make sure that each bacteria supplement listed above contains what it should in order to kick-start the nitrogen cycle.

fr: Supplément bactéries vivantes

Brine shrimp

Tiny crustaceans often used as food for both freshwater and marine fish. Readily available live or in flake, freeze-dried, and frozen forms.

Example: I bought live brine shrimp to feed my betta and he seems to really enjoy it.

fr: Artémia/crevette de saumure

Bubble Nest

A floating nest of air bubbles held together by saliva to support the eggs laid by the female Anabantoid (such as Gouramis and Bettas), which are guarded by the male parent.

Example: A male betta is prone to start making bubble nests when he is comfortable in his tank and ready to mate.

fr: Nid de bulles

Buffer

A substance that can neutralize a base or an acid so that the original pH of the liquid is maintained or changes much more slowly than if the buffer were not present. Acidity and alkalinity are two measurements of buffering capacity.

Example: We use buffers to help stabilise the Ph of the aquarium water.

fr: Buffer (non traduit) ou Tampon

Chiller

Mechanical unit commonly used to lower water temperature to compensate for warmer ambient temperature or the heat generated by certain aquarium devices, such as pumps, filters, and lighting can facilitate the seasonal use of chillers.

Example: To mimic winter season in my tank, I have to use a chiller to lower the temperature.

fr: Système de refroidissement (pour aquarium)

Community Tank

An aquarium populated with fish of several different species, all of which are compatible with one another. They may originate from different regions of the world but are able to be housed together since they share similar water parameter requirements.

Example: I want to introduce a new species in my community tank.

fr: Aquarium communautaire

Filter

A device that circulates and removes some impurities from aquarium water. May be biological, chemical, or mechanical.

Example: Fine sand, clay, sediments and other wastes can be removed from a tank using a filter.

fr: Filtre

Nitrate (NO3)

Chemical compound formed during the final stage of the nitrogen cycle. It is the least toxic nitrogen byproduct often used by live plants.

Example: In large quantities, however, nitrate is still dangerous to your aquarium inhabitants.

fr: Nitrate

Nitrite

A toxic byproduct of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite is often broken down and used by plants in a planted aquarium or can be removed with water changes.

Example: It is important to keep an eye on the nitrite levels of your tank and proceed to water changes bi-weekly.

fr: Nitrite

Nitrogen Cycle

The natural process by which certain bacteria turn harmful ammonia, from fish waste and other decaying matter, into nitrite and then into less harmful nitrate.

Example: The nitrogen cycle is a notion you need to master in order to take good care of your tank and your animals.

fr: Cycle de l'azote

R/O Units

Short for reverse osmosis units, which are water purification devices that force pressurized water through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows only pure water to pass through while trapping minerals and impurities.

Example: To avoid changing the water in the aquarium too often, you can add a R/O unit.

fr: Osmose inverse

Tannins

A group of high molecular weight organic compounds that are responsible for the discolouration of aquarium water.

Example: You may want to add tannin to your tank because some fish species prefer darker-coloured water.

fr: Tanin

Water Change

The process of removing old aquarium water and replacing it with new water. Critical for maintaining a healthy underwater environment, free of pollutants.

Example: To keep your fish tank clean, you should proceed to a water change one a week to once every two weeks.

fr: Renouvellement d'eau

Water Parameters

Usually refers to specific aspects of aquarium water chemistry necessary for maintaining healthy aquarium inhabitants. Fundamental water parameters include, pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and water temperature.

Example: It is important to check the water parameters of your tank once a month to make sure the water quality is the best possible for your animals.

fr: Paramètres aquatiques