Glossary

316 Stainless Steel
A high quality grade of stainless steel which has corrosion resistance to saltwater. It is less likely to pit or crevice from rust. Aquatic Enterprises uses 316 grade stainless steel in all its seafood aquariums. 316 grade stainless steel is NSF approved.

Bio-load
The maximum animal load that can be supported by the system.

Biological Filtration
Biological filtration is always the primary filtration. Biological filtration converts highly toxic waste, which are produced by the animals in the aquarium system, into less toxic nutrients through the activity of nitrifying bacteria.

Chemical Filtration
Chemical Filtration removes dissolved compounds and elements from solution in the aquarium systems water. Aquatic Enterprises incorporates three types of chemical filtration depending on the type of aquarium system.

• Activated carbon: This removes dissolved solids by trapping them in the pores of the carbon. The carbon adsorbs organic and inorganic substances from the water and has a limited amount of adsorption capacity. The carbon therefore needs to be replaced frequently to ensure clear and odorless water.
• Oxidation: Oxidation of dissolved organics requires the use of an ozone generator. The ozone generator, when installed correctly, will oxidize dissolved organics and kill bacteria and pathogens.
• Foam Fractionation (protein skimming): This method of filtration also requires the use of specialized equipment. A foam frationator removes compounds in the water by attracting these compounds to the surface of bubbles which are passing though the fractionator. This removes waste and decreases the demand on the other filters, primarily the biological filter.

Chiller
A chiller is a form of refrigerator specifically designed to cool down water or other fluids.

Filtration
There are four basic types of filtration; biological, mechanical, chemical, and sterilization. There are two types of contaminants in aquarium water, dissolved chemicals and physical particulates. Filtration is the method used to alter these compounds to maintain a healthy environment for the animals in the aquarium. See each type of filtration listed in glossary.

Friction Head Loss
The Head lost by water flowing in a pipe as the result of (1) the disturbance set up by the contact between the moving water and its plumbing and (2) intermolecular friction.

HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. The National Seafood HACCP Alliance for education and training began in April 1993 in conjunction with the Association of Food and Drug Officials. HACCP provides uniform education for the seafood and aquaculture industry and federal, state, and local food inspectors. Those who complete this program will be recognized by "Certificates of HACCP Course Completion" to be issued and recorded by Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Aquatic Enterprises, Inc. certificate number is 6100-022399-12328. Training took place February 1999 in San Francisco, California.

Head
(1) A measure of the energy possessed by water at a given location in the water system, expressed in feet. (2) A measure of the pressure or force exerted by water, expressed in feet.

Head Loss
The amount of energy used by water in moving from one location to another.

Heat Pump
A chiller unit designed to refrigerate and heat the water as needed. A dual stage controller is required to operate a heat pump.

LSS (Life Support System)
Refers to the equipment used in the filtration system as well as lighting for decorative aquariums. LSS can also make use of computer controlled water chemistry, monitoring, and alarms.

Magnetic Drive Pump
These pumps are designed specifically to move fluids which are corrosive in nature, like saltwater. They also provide added security by isolating the wet end of the pump from the electrical motor. There is no seal between them to fail like direct drive pumps which have a seal that separates the wet end from the electrical components. These pumps will provide years of trouble free life. All Aquatic Enterprises aquariums utilize magnetic drive pumps when applicable. Aquatic Enterprises is a Little Giant Pump distributor.

Mechanical Filtration
Mechanical filters simply remove particulates which are suspended in the water of the aquarium system. With proper maintenance, a mechanical filter will aid in keeping water clear and free of floating debris.

NSF
National Science foundation is an independent U.S. Government agency responsible for promoting science and engineering to enhance national health. NSF sets standards by which industries enhance public health in food, water, air, and environment. This is the simplified version, for more comprehensive NSF information check out their website (www.nsf.gov). All Aquatic Enterprises seafood aquariums use NSF approved materials and equipment where applicable.

Open System
An open system is an aquatic system that uses an existing body of water, such as a beach or lake, as its source of water. Water is pumped from the body of water, through a LSS, to the tank(s), and back to the source. This type of system is often used in public aquariums and aquaculture facilities. Permits are usually required to utilize this type of system.

Research Aquarium system
An aquarium system, usually consisting of multiple tanks, specifically designed for the live storage of research specimens. Often the laboratory has specific requirements regarding size and shape of the holding tanks. They may also require a specific amount of sterilization or “effective kill rate”. Computer controlled water chemistry, monitoring, and alarm systems are also used in these applications.

Seafood aquarium
An aquarium system designed specifically for the live storage of seafood products. These systems have many parameters and legal guidelines that must be observed to provide healthy product in a cost effective manner. There are many different types of systems available. The most common are tanks that hold lobster or crab. However, we build aquarium systems for live storage of freshwater fin-fish such as tilapia, trout and bass. We also build tanks for shellfish like clams, oysters, geoduck, and mussels.

Sterilization
Sterilization removes free floating bacteria, parasites and disease causing pathogens from the aquarium system water. Ultraviolet sterilizers work when water passes through the unit and is exposed to the germicidal light being produced by the bulb inside. It is essential that ultraviolet sterilizers are installed properly to have the correct “dwell time” or exposure to the light. If the bacteria or pathogens pass through the sterilizer too quickly they will have a nice tan, but they will survive to cause problems later. Ultraviolet sterilizers are required by law in all shellfish aquarium systems to prevent cross contamination and food borne illness. Ozone can be used to sterilize water, but is much more difficult to control.

Suction Lift
This occurs when the pump is above the water level of the source water. Suction Lift is measured from the level of the source water to the suction of the pump vertically. Friction Head Loss needs to be factored into the vertical distance for total suction lift.

Sump
A sump is a reservoir where the aquarium system water is collected. One sump can service any number of aquariums. A sump can be located almost anywhere but typically is gravity fed by water coming from the aquarium(s) and consequently must be lower than the drain in the aquarium(s). All our cold water systems use insulated sumps.

Thermal Pane Glass / Insulated Glass Unit (IGU)
All Aquatic Enterprises cold water aquariums are made with thermal pane glass (IGU). Like energy efficient widows in a house, thermal pane glass helps insulate the water from the air to increase the efficiency of the system overall. It buffers the water from the air and decreases the demand on the refrigeration unit (chiller). Thermal pane glass also prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the aquarium.

Total Dynamic Head
This head is a measure of the total energy that a pump must impart to the water to move it from one point to another.