Glossary: C

Ca

Calcium

Calcareous

Composed of or containing a substance made of calcium carbonate.

Canister Filter

An external device that water is pumped through then returned back to the aquarium. Used for mechanical, chemical, and/or biological filtration.

CC

Crushed coral substrate or Counter Current (A type of protein skimmer).

Chiller

A piece of equipment used to cool down the water in an aquarium. Chillers are available in different types and sizes, including one that hooks up in-line with the water flow of the tank and one that drops into the sump. They all feature a thermostat for maintaining a constant temperature. Larger tanks require larger chiller units. These are generally used when the water temperature cannot be kept below 82°F by itself.

Copper

A metal used in the form of copper sulphate to cure diseases and parasite infestations on fish. Copper is highly toxic to marine invertebrates and should never be used in a nano reef.

Coralline Algae

Algae that form solid calcium carbonate accretions. Coralline is desirable in reef aquariums, and helps prevent undesirable algae from growing. Covers rocks, aquarium walls, and equipment. Usually pink or purple, turns white when it dies.

Crustacea

A subphylum of Arthropoda that includes shrimp, mantis shrimp, lobsters, crabs, water fleas, copepods, crayfish and wood lice. There are almost 40,000 described species of crustaceans. The Crustacea are mainly aquatic, but include some semi-terrestrial and terrestrial groups

CUC

Clean Up Crew

Cyanide Fishing

A destructive fishing technique in which sodium cyanide or some other cyanide compound is used to stun and capture coral reef fishes for the aquarium and live food trade. Often results in poisoning and eventual death of the fish.

Cyano

See Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria

A photosynthetic aquatic bacteria, often called blue-green algae, but have no relationship to algae. Not all "blue-green" bacteria are blue; some common forms are red or pink. In an aquarium environment cynobacteria can quickly cover and kill corals.

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