Aquarium-hobby abbreviations confuse beginners. Sourcing: LFS = Local Fish Store. LRS = Local Reef Store. LHB = Local Hobbyist Breeder. MO = Mail-Order. WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get (photo before purchase). Tank types: DT = Display Tank. QT = Quarantine Tank. HT = Hospital Tank. FOWLR = Fish-Only With Live Rock. SW/FW = Saltwater/Freshwater. NPS = Non-Photosynthetic (corals). Equipment: ATO = Auto Top-Off. RODI = Reverse Osmosis Deionized water. UV = Ultraviolet sterilizer. GFO = Granular Ferric Oxide. GAC = Granular Activated Carbon. Coral codes: SPS = Small Polyp Stony. LPS = Large Polyp Stony. NPS = Non-Photosynthetic. WW = Walt Wreath (named morph prefix). JF = Jason Fox (named morph prefix). Fish behavior: HOB = Hang-On-Back (filter). FB = Free-Bagged shipping. DOA = Dead On Arrival. Methods: EI = Estimative Index (planted fert). PPS = Perpetual Preservation System (planted fert). DSB = Deep Sand Bed. SSB = Shallow Sand Bed. BB = Bare Bottom. Diseases: NTD = Neon Tetra Disease. HLLE = Head + Lateral Line Erosion. HITH = Hole In The Head. AEFW = Acro-Eating Flatworms.
Reviewed by the Fast Aquatics husbandry team · Updated May 2026
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Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.
Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.
Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.
Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.
Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.
How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.
What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.
How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.
Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.
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