K - Aquarium and Fish Dictionary

Aquarium Fish Definition and Glossary

K - Kelvin :: For fishkeepers, the Kelvin scale is a thermodynamic temperature scale used when referring to the color of flourescent lighting. A candle flame is about 1800°, daylight is about 6500° and a cloudless day could be 10,000° plus. Flourescent lighting wise 10,000°K bulbs are a crisp white and 20,000°K are more blue in color.
Kalkwasser :: a German word that translated means "lime water". Kalkwasser is calcium hydroxide that is usually administered using a dosing system. The dosing system can be automated whereby the dose is controlled by the pH levels in the aquarium or it can be a manual process of dosing kalkwasser during water-top offs or slow-dripped into the aquarium. The good thing about kalkwasser is that it will supplement both calcium and help keep the alkalinity level and the pH stable.
Kalk Reactor :: a piece of aquarium equipment that is used to mix freshwater with calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser) using an automated stirring mechanism in tandem with a slow dosing system.
Kelvin :: refers to the Kelvin Scale that is used to measure the color temperature of light. Common color temperatures (measured in Kelvin - °K) are 6,000°K, 6,700°K, 10,000°K and 20,000°K. Saltwater Reef tank keepers sometimes experiment with lights of various lighting temperatures to get maxiumum growth out of their corals.
Krill :: is a small crustacean that is used to increase the colors in fish. Krill should only be used occasionally as a supplement.