Glossary: S

Salinity

A measure of the salt concentration of water.

SG

See Specific Gravity

Shroom

A mushroom coral

Small Polyp Scleractinian

Small Polyp Scleractinian; Small Polyp Stony (coral); See Acropora

Soft Coral

Common name for species of the anthozoan order Alcyonacea of the subclass Octocorallia. In contrast to the hard or stony corals, most soft corals do not possess a massive external skeleton.

Softies

See Soft Coral

Specific Gravity

The ratio of density of a given liquid to that of pure water. Specific gravity is used to measure the salinity of seawater as compared to distilled water. Distilled water has a specific gravity of 1.000 while natural seawater has a specific gravity of about 1.025. SG readings are also effected by temperature.

SPS

Small Polyped Scleractinian, Small Polyped Stony Coral

Starphire

PPG's high clarity glass which comes from minimal iron impurities

STN

Slow Tissue Necrosis

Sump

A container that houses items such as wet/dry filters, skimmers, heaters, and refugiums. Sumps are generally kept below the display aquarium. Water drains into the sump from the aquarium above, and is pumped back to the aquarium.

SW

Saltwater

Sweeper Polyp

A polyp that acts in an aggressive manner by stinging neighboring corals and sessile invertebrates.

Sweeper Tentacle

A coral polyp tentacle that has an increased number of nematocysts and elongates in order to 'sting' neighboring corals and sessile invertebrates. A tool in the competition for space and resources.

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