Tenecor Product Terms & Definitions

A guide to help understand some of our product terms and definitions.

Bent Corners. Corners which are heated and formed into radiuses to achieve a seamless appearance. Not to be confused with rounded corners.

Centipede. A flexible, segmented return fitting used to direct water flow in the aquarium. Common trade name Loc-Line.

Bio-media. Porous but inert materials with a high surface area upon which beneficial bacteria colonize. Bio-media can be many things including plastic balls, spun fabrics, open cell sponges, ceramic balls, cylinders bricks or tubes.

Pre-filter/Skimmer/Overflow box. A column or box used to control water flow and sometimes route plumbing back into the aquarium.

Protein Skimmer. A device used to remove excess waste products from a saltwater aquarium. Protein skimmers create aerated foam comprised of waste products which is then collected in a cup and discarded. Protein skimmers are common in saltwater setups but can also be used in freshwater aquariums.

Filter Sock. A woven mesh tube closed at one end used as a mechanical filter. Filter socks are offered in assorted diameters and lengths. They are usually 200 micron porosity and are cleanable and reusable (to certain degree as they eventually must be replaced).

Filter Media Cup. An open walled receptacle for holding filtration or chemical media. Filter cups are versatile and more economic than filter socks.

Basic Aquarium. An improved version of the traditional fish tank. Tenecor® basic aquariums feature larger access holes and filter slots. We offer the largest selection of basic aquariums.

Simplicity™ AIO Aquarium. Tenecor aquariums with integrated filtration built right into the tank. These are also sometimes known as "All in One" (AIO) aquariums. Simplicity™ aquariums are the most dependable and easy to set up aquariums. We offer them in an extensive range of sizes and styles. They are ideal for fresh or saltwater setups and can be purchased ready to run or part of a complete package.

Drain. A plumbing connection used to remove water from an aquarium. Drains are usually found in skimmer boxes and consist of bulkheads.

Ready to Run. This phrase describes Tenecor products kitted with the accessories such as filter media, plumbing and pumps. We offer a large selection of Ready to Run aquariums as well as "bare" aquariums ideal for do-it-yourself customization.

Bulkhead fitting. A plastic plumbing part used to create a watertight fitting through aquarium walls or partitions.

Cell Cast Acrylic. Acrylic is made two main ways - Cell Cast and Extruded. Cell cast involves creating a single "cell" into which the acrylic polymer is poured/injected into. The cells consist of very heavy glass plates set apart as wide as the finished acrylic sheet. The entire perimeter is then sealed with a flexible membrane. Once the acrylic polymer cures, the glass plates are removed and a sheet of solid acrylic remains. The flexible membrane is then trimmed off, much like the crust of a slice of bread. It is time consuming and expensive but yields the best quality sheets.

Extruded acrylic is made like toothpaste is squeezed out of a tube. Much faster since it is a continuous process. Extruded acrylic is significantly less expensive and not nearly as high quality. We use only cell cast acrylic for all structural components such as walls, bottoms and tops. We do use extruded acrylics for non-structural, cosmetic applications such as coloring.

ReefPoint® Reef Ready. Tenecor aquarium configurations for more demanding saltwater environments. These systems employ external filtration usually located in the stand, below the aquarium. ReefPoint® Reef Ready systems come complete with plumbed overflow boxes, filters, pumps and plumbing.

Circulation Pump. A submersible or external centrifugal water pump used to circulate water in the aquarium system.

Return. Plumbing and fittings used in returning water back to the aquarium from the filter.

Internal Return. Plumbing and fittings used in returning water back to the aquarium but routed inside an overflow box.

Rounded Corners. A process where square cornered tanks are rounded over to a smooth radius.

Wet/Dry Trickle Filter. A combination mechanical and biological filtration system external of the aquarium almost always used in conjunction with overflow boxes. Wet/dry trickle filtration is a time-tested method and is suitable for fresh or saltwater setups.

Refugium. A type of sump connected to the main aquarium used as a "refuge" for livestock and plants that would not survive in the main aquarium environment. Refugiums can also be used for further filtration and water purification, nutrient export, plankton production or denitrification.

Nominal Thickness/Size. A nominal size or trade size is a size "in name only" used for identification. The nominal size may not match any dimension of the product, but within the domain of that product the nominal size may correspond to a large number of highly standardized dimensions and tolerances. The most common example is the 2x4 which actually measures 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches.