|
| Please Select a Letter
or Scroll Down for Definitions |
|
| |
| A. |
Acid:
A chemical substance containing hydrogen
with the ability to dissolve metals, neutralize alkaline
materials and combine with bases to form salts. Acid is
used to lower (decrease) pH and total alkalinity of swimming
pool and spa water. Examples are muriatic acid (hydrochloric)
and dry acid (sodium bisulfate). |
| |
Acid Demand:
The amount of acid required to bring high
pH and total alkalinity down to their proper levels. Determined
by an acid demand test. |
| |
Algae:
Microscopic aquatic plant life that contain chlorophyll.
Algae are nourished by carbon dioxide (C02) and use sunlight
to carry out photosynthesis. It is introduced by rain
or wind and grows in colonies producing nuisance masses.
Algae are not disease-causing, but can harbor bacteria,
create a high chlorine demand, and it is slippery. There
are 21,000 known species of algae. The most common pool
types are black, blue-green, green and mustard (yellow
or brown). Pink or red-colored algae-like organisms exist
but are bacteria and not algae. Maintaining proper sanitizer
levels, brushing and superchlorination will help prevent
its occurrence. |
| |
Algaecide:
Also called algicide. A natural or synthetic chemical
designed to kill, destroy or control algae. |
| |
Alkalinity:
Also called total alkalinity. A measure of the pH-buffering
capacity of water or water's resistance to change in pH.
Composed of the hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates
in the water. One of the basic water tests necessary to
determine water balance. |
| |
Ammonia:
Introduced into the water by swimmers as waste (perspiration
or urine) or by other means. Quickly forms foul-smelling,
body irritating chloramines- an undesirable, less effective
form of chlorine. See CHLORAMINES or COMBINED CHLORINE.
|
| |
Available Chlorine:
The amount of chlorine in the pool water that is available
to sanitize or disinfect the water. Sometimes called residual
chlorine. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| B. |
Balanced Water:
The correct ratio of mineral content and pH level that
prevents the water from being corrosive or scale forming.
|
| |
Bromamines:
By-products formed when bromine reacts with swimmer waste
(perspiration or urine), nitrogen or fertilizer. Bromamines
are active disinfectants and do not have an odor. |
| |
Brominator:
A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing bromine
at a controlled rate. Most often a tank, canister or floater
filled with tablets of bromine. |
| |
Bromine:
A halogen element in the same group as chlorine and fluorine.
Also a common name for several chemical compounds containing
bromine that are used as disinfectants to destroy bacteria
and algae in swimming pools and spas. Most commonly available
as organic bromine in a tablet or granular, or as sodium
bromide, a granular salt. |
| |
Buffer:
A substance or compound that stabilizes the pH value of
a solution. It is also the water's resistance to change
in pH. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| C. |
Calcium Hardness:
The calcium content of the water. Calcium hardness is
sometimes confused with the terms water hardness and total
hardness. Too little calcium hardness and the water is
corrosive. Too much calcium hardness and the water is
scale forming. One of the basic water tests necessary
to determine water balance. Minimum level is 150 ppm.
Ideal range is 200-400 ppm. |
| |
Chelated Copper:
Copper algaecides that contain a special ingredient to
prevent the copper from staining the pool walls and bottom
or producing colored water. |
| |
Chlormines:
Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds
formed when insufficient levels of free available chlorine
react with ammonia and other nitrogen containing compounds
(swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer, perspiration, urine,
etc.). Chloramines are still disinfectants, but they are
a much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine. Chloramines
are removed by superchlorination or shock treating. |
| |
Chlorinator:
A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing chlorine
at a controlled rate. Most often a tank, canister or floater
filled with tablets of chlorine. |
| |
Chlorine:
A term used to describe any type of chlorine compound
used as a disinfectant in swimming pool and spa water
or to kill, destroy or control bacteria and algae. In
addition, chlorine oxidizes ammonia and nitrogen compounds
(swimmer and bather waste). |
| |
Chlorine Demand:
The amount of chlorine necessary to oxidize all organic
matter (bacteria, algae, chloramines, ammonia, and nitrogen
compounds) in the pool or spa water. |
| |
Chlorine Residual:
The amount of chlorine left in the pool or spa water after
the chlorine demand has been satisfied. |
| |
Clarifier:
Also called coagulant or flocculant. A chemical compound
used to gather (coagulate or agglomerate), or to precipitate
suspended particles so they may be removed by vacuuming
or filtration. There are two types; inorganic salts of
aluminum (alum) or water-soluble organic polyelectrolytes.
|
| |
Coagulant:
An organic polyelectrolyte used to gather (coagulate)
suspended particles in the water. |
| |
Combined Chlorine:
Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds
formed when insufficient levels of free available chlorine
react with ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds
(swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer, perspiration, urine,
etc.). Combined chlorine is still a disinfectant, but
it is a much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine. |
| |
Conditioner:
Also called stabilizer or cyanuric acid. It is a chemical
that slows down the degradation of chlorine in the water
by sunlight. The minimum effective level is 20 ppm as
measured by a test kit. Very high levels of Cyanuric acid
(above 300 ppm) can slow down chlorine activity or effectiveness.
Conditioner does not protect bromine from sunlight. |
| |
Copper Algaecide:
A chemical compound that contains the element copper.
Copper sulfate was one of the original copper algaecides.
Too much copper in the water can cause green-colored stains
or water. Newer copper algaecides contain an ingredient
that prevents the copper from staining but does not affect
copper's ability to kill algae. These special copper algaecides
are are called chelated copper algaecides. |
| |
Cyanuric Acid:
Also called conditioner or stabilizer, this chemical compound
protects chlorine in the waterfrom being destroyed by
sunlight. The minimum level is 20 ppm. Very high levels
of Cyanuric acid (above 300 ppm) can slow down chlorine
activity or effectiveness. Cyanuric acid does not protect
bromine from sunlight. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| D. |
D.E. Filter:
Diatomaceous Earth Filter. A filter designed to use diatomaceous
earth (D.E.) as the filter medium. The D.E. is added through
the skimmer with the pump on, which takes the D.E. and
deposits it on a grid. The D.E. then becomes the filter
medium. |
| |
Diatomaceous Earth:
Also called D.E. powder. A white powder composed of fossilized
skeletons of one celled organisms called diatoms. The
skeletons are porous and have microscopic spaces. The
powder is added through the skimmer with the pump on,
which takes the D.E. and deposits it on a grid. The D.E.
then becomes the filter medium. |
| |
Dichloro:
The common name for sodium dichloroisocyanurate. A fast
dissolving chlorine compound containing chlorine and cyanuric
acid (stabilizer or conditioner). It has a neutral pH
and is quick dissolving, so it can be used for regular
chlorination or superchlorination. |
| |
Dry Acid:
Chemically, sodium bisulfate. A dry white crystal that
produces acid when added to water. It is used for lowering
pH and total alkalinity. Safer to handle than muriatic
acid. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| E. |
Effluent:
The water that flows out of a pump, filter or heater,
usually on its way back to the pool or spa. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| F. |
Filter Aid:
A chemical compound added to the water or to the filter
that allows the existing filter to become more efficient.
Examples are alum, water clarifiers and D.E. powder. |
| |
Floc:
The clump or aggregate formed when suspended particles
combine with a flocculating agent. |
| |
Flocculation:
The combination, agglomeration, aggregation or coagulation
of suspended particles in such a way that they form small
clumps (called a FLOC). |
| |
Free Available Chlorine:
The amount of active chlorine in the pool or spa water
that is available to sanitize or disinfect the water.
Sometimes called residual or available chlorine. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| G. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| H. |
Hardness:
The amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water.
"Water" or "total" hardness refers
to the total magnesium and calcium dissolved in the water.
Calcium hardness refers to just the calcium. Measured
by a test kit and expressed as ppm. The proper range is
200-400 ppm. |
| |
Hypochlorite:
The name given to a family of chlorine containing compounds,
including calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite and
lithium hypochlorite, that are used as disinfectants and
sanitizers in pool and spa water. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| I. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| J. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| K. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| L. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| M. |
Mineral:
A substance that is neither animal nor plant. It is a
chemical compound, usually inorganic in nature (no carbon
atoms), which occurs naturally. Examples are quartz, feldspar
or compounds of crystalline structure. It sometimes includes
soluble "rocks" such as limestone. Ground water
can dissolve all or a portion of these rocks and the minerals
contained in these rocks, thus causing these minerals
to be present in tap water. Certain geographic locations
contain a high level of minerals which can cause staining
and scale problems in pool and spa water. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| N. |
Non-Chlorine Shock:
A term given to a class of chemical compounds that are
used to oxidize or shock the water (destroy ammonia, nitrogen
and swimmer waste). They contain no chlorine or bromine
and do not kill living organisms. swimmers may re-enter
the pool in only 15 minutes after adding a non-chlorine
shock. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| O. |
Organic:
Refers to volatile, biodegradable and sometimes combustible
chemical compounds containing carbon atoms bonded together
with other elements. The principal groups of organic substances
found in water are proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils.
See ORGANIC WASTE. |
| |
Organic Waste:
Also called swimmer or bather waste. All of the soap,
deodorant, suntan lotion, lipstick, makeup, cologne, body
oils, sweat, spit, urine, etc., brought into the water.
They also form chloramines, which are foul-smelling and
body irritants. Requires large amounts of chlorine or
non-chlorine shock to destroy. |
| |
Oxidation:
To rid the water of ammonia, nitrogen compounds and swimmer
waste (organic compounds). These organic compounds disable
chlorine, are body irritants and have a foul smell. Removal
is accomplished by superchlorination or by shock treating
with a non-chlorine oxidizer. |
| |
Oxidizer:
A shocking or sanitizing compound that removes or destroys
built-up contaminants and chloramines in pool water. Most
chlorinating, brominating, and oxygenating compounds are
considered oxidizers. Usually the fast dissolving oxidizers
which contain chlorine, such as hypochlorites, are typically
used to "superchlorinate" the water. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| P. |
pH:
A term used to indicate the level of acidity or alkalinity
of pool water. The pH being too low causes etched plaster,
metal corrosion and eye irritation. The pH being too high
causes scale formation, poor chlorine efficiency and eye
irritation. The ideal range for pH in swimming pools is
7.4-7.6 |
| |
ppm:
An abbreviation for parts per million. It is a weight-to-weight
expression. It means 1 part in 1 million parts, such as
1lb of chlorine in 1 million lbs. of water. Many of the
common pool water tests, as well as acceptable ranges,
are stated a ppm. For example, free available chlorine
should be kept between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm; total alkalinity
should be between 80 and 120 ppm; and water hardness should
be between 200 and 400 ppm. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| Q. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| R. |
Residual Bromine/Chlorine:
The amount of measurable bromine/chlorine remaining after
treating the water. The amount of bromine/chlorine left
in the pool or spa water after the bromine/chlorine demand
has been satisfied. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| S. |
Scale:
The precipitate that forms on surfaces in contact with
water when the calcium hardness, pH or total alkalinity
levels are too high. Results from chemically unbalanced
pool and spa water. Scale may appear as gray, white or
dark streaks on the plaster, fiberglass or vinyl. It may
also appear as a hard crust around the tile. |
| |
Shock Treat:
The practice of adding significant amounts of fast-dissolving
oxidizing chemical to the water to destroy ammonia and
nitrogen compounds or swimmer waste. |
| |
Stabilized Chlorine:
A family of chlorine pool sanitizers that contain conditioner
(cyanuric acid) to protect the chlorine from the degrading
UV rays in sunlight. Most common types are sodium dichlor
and trichlor. The granular form is dichlor, which is fast-dissolving
and can be used for regular chlorination or superchlorination
by broadcasting into the pool or spa. Tablet or stick
form is trichlor (which is usually used in a chlorine
feeder- either the floating type or an in-line erosion
type) used for regular chlorination only. |
| |
Stain:
A discoloration or a colored deposit on the walls or bottom
of a swimming pool or spa. Most often, stains are metals
such as iron, copper or manganese. They may appear as
green, gray, brown or black. They may even discolor the
water. Sometimes a sequestering agent or chelating agent
will remove them. If not, usually an acid wash is necessary
to remove them from the walls and bottom. The metals get
in the water because the pH was too low or someone has
added a low pH chemical directly into the circulation
system. The low pH chemical dissolves a small amount of
metal from the equipment. The metals come out of solution
and deposit or stain the surfaces of the walls and bottom
of the pool. Stains are sometimes confused with scale.
|
| |
SuperChlorination:
The practice of adding an extra large dose of chlorine
to the water to destroy ammonia, nitrogen and swimmer
waste, which can build up in the water. This level of
chlorine is required to destroy all of the combined chlorine
in the water which is called breakpoint chlorination.
|
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| T. |
Total Alkalinity:
The total amount of alkaline materials present in the
water. Also called the buffering capacity of the water.
It is the water's resistance to change in pH. Low total
alkalinity causes metal corrosion, plaster etching and
eye irritation. High total alkalinity causes scale formation,
poor chlorine efficiency and eye irritation. |
| |
Total Chlorine:
The total amount of chlorine in the water. It includes
both free, available and combined chlorine. |
| |
TDS:
Total Dissolved Solids is a measure of the total amount
of dissolved material in the water. It is comprised of
the spent or carrier chemicals in the water every time
chemicals are added, as well as the hardness, alkalinity,
chlorides, sodium, magnesium, calcium, etc. The maximum
amount in pools is 2500 ppm. Maximum in spas is 1500 over
starting TDS. The only way to effectively lower TDS is
to drain part or all of the water and replace it with
low TDS water. |
| |
Trichlor:
A slow-dissolving tablet or granular, stabilized organic
chlorine compound providing 90% available chlorine. Used
for regular chlorination but must be dispensed using a
floating feeder or an in-line feeder (chlorinator). Trichlor
contains an ingredient that prevents the chlorine form
being destroyed by UV rays of the sun. Trichlor has a
pH of 2.8, and regular trichlor tabs should not be placed
in the skimmer as the low pH will corrode the metal components
in the equipment. |
| |
Turbidity:
The cloudy condition of the water due to the presence
of extremely fine particles in suspension that cannot
be trapped by the filter because they are too small. Adding
a clarifier will coagulate the particles and make the
filter more efficient. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| U. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| V. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| W. |
Water Clarifier:
Also called coagulant or flocculant. A chemical compound
used to gather or to precipitate suspended particles so
they may be removed by vacuuming or filtration. |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| |
| X. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| |
| Y. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
| |
| |
| Z. |
| No Definitions Available at This Time |
| [
TOP ] |
Freight
charges may apply to any order being shipped by freight or denoted by
truck symbol.