Aquarium - A water filled container in which to keep and raise aquatic animals and plants. All Tenecor aquariums are manufactured with acrylic.

Bent Corners - Corners which are heat bent to achieve a smooth, seamless appearance.

Bio-Media - (also bio-balls) Porous plastic balls with high surface area. Conducive to growing beneficial bacteria for biological filtration.

Bulkhead - A plastic fitting that fits through a tank wall hole to allow water flow to a filtration system. The top flange and rubber gasket of the bulkhead should be on the "wet" side of the tank, while the nut, which is screwed onto the throat of the bulkhead, is on the "dry" of the tank. The nut  secures the bulkhead in the tank wall hole. It is important to not over-tighten the bulkhead nut by using a wrench as this may cause the acrylic to crack..

Centipede - A return fitting with flexible segments used to direct water flow in the tank.

Drain - A plumbing connection used to remove water from the tank. Usually located in the pre-filter.

Fauxstone - A Tenecor original finish for stands and canopies. This versatile finish recreates the look and style of the southwest with a Spanish stucco texture.

Pre-Filter - (also overflow, skimmer box, weir) - A column or box used to control water flow and route plumbing to and from the aquarium or fish tank. Usually used in conjunction with external filtration.

Protein Skimmer - A device used to remove proteins, acids and other waste products from saltwater aquariums. These devices produce a churning effect to separate the waste products which are then held in a collection cup until it can be emptied.

Protein Skimmer Packages - A package that consist of the protein skimmer, pumps, wet/dry filter modifications (if required) and plumbing components. Due to the modification of the wet/dry filter these are available only in conjunction with a Marine Ready aquarium or wet/dry filter purchase.

Marine Ready Aquarium - An fish tank with external wet/dry filtration which utilizes mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Marine Ready aquariums come complete with plumbed pre-filter, external wet/dry filter, bio-media, pumps, and plumbing components. Available with a clear, black, or blue background. Marine Ready aquariums may be upgraded with our Protein Skimmer packages. Marine Ready aquariums are ideal for more demanding saltwater and reef environments.

Return - A plumbing connection used to return water to the tank. Usually located in the pre-filter.

Routered Corners - Traditional square corners which are routered and then polished to achieve a smooth rounded look on larger aquariums.

Show Aquarium - The classic acrylic aquarium. Show Aquariums include extra large access openings, access covers or lids, and filter slots. Standard models smaller than 72" x 24" in length and width feature seamless bent front corners. Available with  clear, black, or dark blue background tanks

Show Tank With Pre-Filter Aquarium - A modified Show Aquarium in which the filter slots are removed and in-tank pre-filters are installed. Tank access openings of the Show Aquarium are modified accordingly and access holes are cut over the pre-filter box.. Access opening covers or lids are included. Standard models smaller that  72" x 24" in length and width feature seamless bent front corners. Available with  clear, black, or dark blue background tanks. The color of the pre-filter is dark blue or black to match the background color.  For clear background tanks the color of the pre-filter must be specified.

Simplicity Plus Aquarium - An aquarium with internal wet/dry filtration which utilizes mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. The system is built into the tank and hidden from view by a blue or black false back. Simplicity Plus filters come complete with bio-media, powerhead(s), pre-filter sponge, and centipede returns installed at the factory. Simplicity Plus aquariums are suitable for fresh or saltwater fish. Since the filter takes up a portion of the inside dimensions of the tank, "swim" gallons are less than the "swim" gallons of the equivalent Show Aquarium.

Standard Aquarium vs. Custom Aquarium - A "Standard Aquarium" is a model included in Tenecor's official Retail Price List. All engineering design and tools/jigs have bee created.  These models may be modified in certain ways, at a nominal up-charge, with our "Semi-Custom Options".  Aquariums involving specialized shapes, sizes, filtration or supporting aquarium furniture and considered "Custom Aquariums" and are price quoted on a job-by-job basis. The price of  a Custom Aquarium may differ significantly from the prices of Standard Aquariums in our Retail Price List.

Stand and Canopy - A Stand is utilized to support the aquarium; a canopy is utilized to cover the top of the aquarium, hiding lighting and some filtration components. These pieces are also "furniture" which enhances the visual appeal of the aquarium in a space. Tenecor manufactures standard Stands and Canopies (sometimes called "Caps") in Acrylic (Black, White or Ivory), Natural Woods (Oak, Maple, Knotty Alder), Unitex/Tenetex (an oil based "fleck" paint range from flat black to pure white as well as stone and designer colors), Fauxstone (a rich Southwestern U.S. stone or stucco look painted beige), Laminates (utilizing Wilsonart laminates) and bare or "clad" tube steel support structures.

Wet/Dry Filter - An external filter which utilizes mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Usually used in conjunction with a pre-filter to route water flow to and from the wet/dry filter.