Glossary: N

Nano Reef

A small reef aquarium, generally 20 gallons or less. Also known as nanoreef or nano-reef.

Necrosis

Cell death caused by non-planned cellular injury.

Nematocysts

Specialized stinging cells

Newbie

A beginner, someone new to the hobby.

NH3

See ammonia.

Nitrate

NO3 the final product in the nitrogen cycle. It is not toxic, but can be dangerous at high levels. Nitrate is created by the oxidation of nitrite by nitrobacter bacteria. In a nano reef, nitrate levels should be kept below 10 ppm.

Nitrification

The process by which ammonia is changed to nitrite, then nitrate, and finally nitrogen gas. See nitrogen cycle.

Nitrite

NO2 the second product in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite is a highly toxic substance that is produced by the oxidation of of ammonia by nitrosomonas bacteria. It is easily removed with biological filtration.

Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle describes how organic wastes break down in the aquarium. Fish wastes naturally decompose into ammonia, which is highly toxic. Nitrosomonas bacteria process the ammonia into nitrite, which is also toxic. Nitrobacter bacteria then break down the nitrite into nitrate, which is much less harmful. This is as far as the cycle goes in most tanks, though under the right conditions, the nitrate is further broken down to free nitrogen gas.

NO

Normal Output fluorescent lighting

NO2

See Nitrite

NO3

See Nitrate

NP

No problem (forum lingo)

NSW

Natural sea water

Nudi

See Nudibranch

Nudibranch

Marine gastropods (Nudibranchia) having no shell of various color and size

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