Glossary
 

So far this glossary isn't very useful, but we will add to it.

cycle - To 'cycle' an aquarium is to grow mature bacterial colonies over the first few weeks to handle the fish waste. Fish waste includes ammonia which is toxic to fish when the levels get high enough. A type of bacteria called Nitrosomonas convert ammonia into nitrite, which is also poisonous to fish. Other bacteria called Nitrobacters convert nitrite into nitrate, which is less harmful to the fish. Still other bacteria can reduce nitrate levels, creating free nitrogen. Nitrate levels are also reduced by partial water changes.