Using the aquarium glossary

The Glossary explains fishkeeping terms in plain English, from ammonia and cycling to ich and KH. Anyone can read it. You need to be signed in to suggest a new term.

What is the aquarium glossary?

The Aquarium Glossary is a searchable list of fishkeeping terms, each with a short definition and its own page. Find it under Glossary in the menu (under Learn) or in the site footer. The line under the heading tells you how many terms there are.

Each term card shows the term, its topic and a short definition. Tap a card to open the full term page.

How do I search the glossary?

Type in the box that says Search terms or definitions…. Results update as you type, and the search looks for your words in both the term names and their definitions. So searching "nitrite" also finds terms whose definitions mention nitrite.

Tap the X at the end of the box to clear it.

The glossary search looks for exactly what you type. It doesn't correct spelling, so if nothing comes up, check your spelling or try a shorter word (for example "nitr" instead of "nitrification").

How do I browse the glossary by topic?

Tap a topic to show only its terms. Tap All to see every term again. On a phone, tap Filter by topic first to open the list; it closes after you pick one.

The topics, in the order they appear:

• Water Chemistry
• Nitrogen Cycle & Filtration
• Equipment
• Fish Health & Disease
• Fish Behavior & Biology
• Plants & Aquascaping
• Invertebrates
• Breeding
• Food & Nutrition
• Maintenance
• Water Types & Setup
• General & Hobby

Only topics with at least one term appear. You can search and filter by topic at the same time.

How do I jump to a letter in the glossary?

On a computer or tablet, use the A to Z bar under the topics. Tap a letter to scroll to terms starting with it. Grayed-out letters have no terms (with your current search and topic). The A to Z bar is hidden on phones; scroll instead.

Terms are listed A to Z under letter headings. Terms that start with a number or symbol are grouped under #.

The count above the list shows the total number of terms, or how many match out of the total when you've searched or filtered.

What's on a glossary term page?

Each term page shows:

• Breadcrumb: Glossary > the term.
• Topic tag.
• The term as the heading, then a short definition and a longer explanation.
• A full write-up with its own headings, for terms that have one.
• Common questions: questions and answers about the term, when it has them.
• Keeping them? Read the full [species] care guide for tank size, water and diet.: shown when the term is also a species in our Fish Species library (for example a shrimp or snail).
• Check your water: opens Water Check.
• Ask the forums: opens the form to start a new forum thread.
• Guides mentioning [term]: forum threads that mention the term.
• Related terms in [topic]: up to 8 other terms from the same topic.
• Back to the glossary.

How do I suggest a glossary term?

1. Sign in.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the Glossary to Missing a term? and tap Suggest a term.
3. Fill in:
   • Term (for example "Blackwater"), up to 80 characters.
   • A plain-English definition, up to 600 characters.
   • Topic (optional): pick one of the glossary's topics, or leave it blank.
4. Tap Send for review.

You'll see "Thanks! It's waiting for review." Tap Suggest another to send more. Tap Cancel to close the form without sending.

What happens after I suggest a term?

Our team reviews every suggestion. We may tidy up the wording or change the topic before adding it. Approved terms are added to the glossary and count toward the Wordsmith trophy (in the Library & Glossary section of your trophy cabinet). See Trophies.

There's no page listing your suggestions, and you can't edit or cancel one after sending. If you need to change something, email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

Who owns a glossary term I suggest?

The Terms treat glossary suggestions like other library submissions: once we accept a suggestion, it belongs to Underground Aquarium and we can use and change it as we choose. Suggestions we turn down stay yours.

Do old glossary links still work?

Yes. Links from our old website to glossary entries, and some old blog posts, send you to the closest matching glossary term or species page. If nothing matches, you'll see a page-not-found message; search the Glossary instead.

Common problems

My search finds nothing. The glossary search doesn't fix typos. Check the spelling, try part of the word, and make sure the topic is set to All. If the term really isn't there, suggest it.

I can't see the topics or the A to Z bar on my phone. Tap Filter by topic to open the topics. The A to Z bar only shows on larger screens.

Tapping Suggest a term says "Sign in to suggest a term." You're signed out. Tap Sign in. After signing in, come back to the Glossary and tap Suggest a term again.

An error appears when I tap Send for review. Make sure you filled in both the term and the definition, then try again. If it keeps failing, email support@undergroundaquarium.com with the term.

My search disappeared when I went back. The glossary doesn't remember your search when you open a term and come back. Type it again.

A definition looks wrong. Email support@undergroundaquarium.com with the term and the correction.