| ALGAE
Unsightly, slippery growths that color water and use
up chlorine. These are actually plants that grow in
water. The most common types found in pools are green,
black, and mustard. Proper use of sanitizers, algaecides,
and maintaining proper water balance help prevent algae
from growing in your pool.
ALGAECIDE
Chemicals designed to be used in your pool to prevent,
control, and kill algae.
ALKALINITY
Total alkalinity measures the pool's ability to buffer
pH changes.
BACKWASH
The method regularly used to clean sand and D.E. filters
by pumping water backwards through the filter media
and out through a discharge or backwash fitting.
BALANCED
WATER
Water is considered balanced when the pH, total alkalinity,
calcium hardness, metal content, sanitizer, stabilizer
(if needed), and total dissolved solids are in the proper
ranges for your pool type and sanitizer type.
CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE
One form of chlorine used to sanitize pools and spas.
Usually comes in powder form and must be dissolved in
water before being added to the pool or spa. This form
of chlorine usually contains 65% available chlorine.
CALCIUM HARDNESS
Measure of the calcium content of the water. If it is
too high, the water is corrosive. If it is too low,
it will cause scale build up. |
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CHLORAMINES
Chlorine that has been bound up by swimmer waste. This form of chlorine
will not kill algae or bacteria. The level of combined chlorine in your
pool added to the free chlorine residual gives you the total chlorine
reading.
CHLORINE
A sanitizer and disinfectant added to pools and spas to prevent and
kill bacteria and algae. Chlorine comes in
numerous chemical forms and methods of application.
D.E.
POWER
Diatomaceous earth. A white powder that is used as the filter media
in D.E. filters.
FREE CHLORINE RESIDUAL
The active chlorine level in the pool water after the chlorine demand
is satisfied.
IONIZER
Introduces copper ions into the water to aid in killing algae and
bacteria. A chlorine residual must still be
maintained and shock treatments are still required.
LIQUID
CHLORINE
A sodium hypochlorite solution that only contains about 10 to 12%
available chlorine and an extremely high pH, resulting in the need
to add pH decreaser to your pool or spa to counteract the effects
on the pH.
LITHIUM
HYPOCHLORITE
A fast dissolving, granular form of chlorine that has approximately
35% available chlorine.
NON-CHLORINE SHOCK
A group of chemicals that are used to remove ammonia compounds, nitrogen
compounds, and waste from
swimmers. These compounds do not contain chlorine and do not kill
algae or bacteria.
OZONATOR
Introduces ozone into the water. Ozone is a strong oxidizer that helps
control algae and bacteria. A chlorine
residual must still be maintained and shock treatments are still required,
but they can help reduce the amount of chlorine you must add to your
pool or spa to maintain the required residual.
pH DECREASER
An acid. Lowers the pH and alkalinity of water.
pH INCREASER
Raises pH in pool water. Add directly to pool with pump in operation.
Allow pool to recirculate 2-3 hours,
retest pH and repeat treatment as necessary.
pH SCALE
A system for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water. Readings
above 7 are alkaline; readings below 7 are acidic.
PPM
Parts per million, a standard measure of chemical or mineral concentration
in swimming pool water.
SAND
FILTER
Sand that has been cleaned and filtered for size to be used in sand
filters.
SHOCK TREATMENT
Super chlorination; by adding 5-10 times normal chlorine dose. Done
periodically to remove accumulated organic contaminants brought into
the pool by wind, rain, bathers, etc.
SKIMMER BASKET
A container, usually plastic with a handle, located inside the skimmer
that is designed to catch such
things as rocks, leaves, hair, etc. to help protect the plumbing pipe
and pump from clogging.
STABILIZER
A granular sun screening chemical that reduces chlorine costs. Also
known as conditioner and cyanuric acid.
STRAINER BASKET
Similar to the skimmer basket, except it is located in the suction
side housing of the pump.
SWIMMER
WASTE
Includes such items as suntan oils, makeup, body oils, sweat, spit,
urine, etc. These bind chlorine into chloramines if your chlorine
level is not high enough. It requires a large quantity of chlorine
or non-chlorine shock to get rid of them.
TOTAL
CHLORINE LEVEL
The combination of the free chorine residual and the level of combined
chlorine in your pool or spa. This number alone is not a true measure
of how sanitized you pool or spa is. Remember only the free chlorine
residual is what is active and working to kill algae and bacteria.
WATER CLARIFER
Collects small unfilterable particles into larger filterable masses.
Does not affect pH.
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