| |
| Common
Pool Terms: |
| Acid |
A
liquid or dry chemical, used to lower the pH of Swimming pool
or spa water. See Muriatic Acid(Hydrochloric Acid) or Sodium
Bisulfate. |
| Algae |
Microscopic,
Plants that contain chlorophyll. Algae grow in sunlight. These
include green, blue-green, black, brown and yellow algae.
So called Pink/Red exists algae, but bacteria. |
| Algaecide |
Natural
or synthetic substance used for killing, or destroying algae.
|
| Algaecide |
A
substance capable of killing algae. |
| Algistat |
A
substance that inhibits algae growth |
| Alkalinity |
The
amount of bicarbonate, carbonate or hydroxide compounds present
in water solutions. See Total Alkalinity. |
| Alum |
Aluminum
Sulfate (Al2SO4), which is used to cause suspended solids
in water to be coagulated and subsequently filtered or vacuumed
out. |
| Disinfectant |
A
chemical having ability to kill undesirable or pathogenic
organisms, provides a measurable residual at levels adequate
to desired kill algae or bacteria. |
| Dissolved
Solids |
See
Total Dissolved Solids |
| DPD |
Diethylphenylene
diamine: A reagent, that is capable or reacting with chlorine
to produce a color which is then compared to a standard to
determine the actual chlorine. |
| Flocullating
Agent |
A
chemical, substance or compound that promotes the combination,
agglomerating or coagulation of suspended particles in water. |
| Free
Available Chlorine |
The
portion of the total chlorine, remaining in chlorinated water,
after the demand has been meet. See Combined Chlorine. |
| Hardness |
The
amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water, as measured
by a test kit. See Saturation index. |
| Hydrochloric
Acid |
Muriatic
Acid(HCl). A very strong corrosive acid. Used in swimming
pools to lower the pH of the water. |
| Hypobromous
Acid |
The
most powerful disinfecting form of Bromine |
| Hypochlorite |
A
family of chemical compounds (salts), found in various forms(liquid,
powder, tablets) used a a chlorinating agent. Forms Available:
Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid), Lithium Hypochlorite (powder)
and Calcium Hypochlorite (powder or tablets). Non-Stabilzed
chlorine |
| Iodine |
A
chemical element that is biocidal, used to disinfect pool
and spa water. The spa disinfectants is in the form of liquid
iodine. |
| Isocyanurates |
A family of pool sanitizer products that are self stabilizing.
Also called stabilized chlorine |
| Lithium
Hypochlorite |
LiOCl.
A white solid inorganic chlorine. pH approximately 9. Available
chlorine 35%. |
| Muriatic
Acid |
Used
to Lower pH and or Total Alkalinity in pools or spas (Hydrochloric
Acid) |
| Organic
Matter |
Contamination
in a pool consisting of urine, saliva, lotions, etc. introduced
by swimmers. |
| OTO |
A
chemical used to determine the chlorine in a pool, by producing
a yellow color (Othotolidine). |
| Ozone |
A
gaseous molecule composed of three (3) atoms of oxygen that
is generated on site and used for oxidation of water and contamination. |
| pH |
How
Acidic or Basic a substance is. pH is measured on a scale
of 1 to 14. Anything less than 7 is Acidic, anything higher
than 7 is Basic. 7.00 is neutral. |
| Phenol
Red |
A
dye used to measure the pH of water. |
| Portable
Water |
Any
water, that is approved for drinking. Contains no bacteria
or other harmful chemicals |
| ppm |
A
Unit of measurement (parts per million), used in chemical
measurement to indicate small quantities. e.g. 1 yellow marble
out of 1 million white marbles. |
| Precipitate |
A
solid material which is forced out of solution by some chemical
reaction, the precipitate can cause the water to turn milky
or produce a haze. |
| Quats |
Quaternary
Ammonium Compounds: Organic compounds used as algaecide or
germicides. |
| Scale |
The
surface coating (precipitate) that forms when minerals (Typically
Calcium) can no longer stay dissolved,. due to saturation. |
| Sequestering
Agent |
Sometimes
referred to as Chelating agents. These compounds are capable
of combining with metals (copper, Iron, Etc.) to prevent staining
of the pool surface |
| Shock
Treatment |
The
Practice of adding excess amounts of an Oxidizer (typically
chlorine) to to destroy organic matter containing nitrogen,
including algae and bacteria. |
| Soda
Ash |
Sodium
Carbonate: A white powder (chemical) to increase the pH of
the water |
| Sodium
Carbonate |
See
Soda Ash (Na2C03) |
| Sodium
Bicarbonate |
A
white powder used to increase Alkalinity (Baking Soda, NaHC03) |
| Sodium
Bisulfate |
A
white powder used to lower pH (NaHS04) |
| Sodium
Dichloro-isocyanurate |
Dichlor
(sodium dichlori-s-triazinetriaone), a granular product,
containing approximately 62% chlorine. Fast Dissolving,
non-clouding, oxidizer. Can be used for maintenance and
shocking (pH 6.0)
|
| Sodium
Hypochlorite |
A
clear liquid (bleach), typically 5-15% available chlorine. |
| Source
Water |
Water
used to fill a pool or spa. Can be Potable or from wells. |
| Stabilizer |
See
Cyanuric Acid. |
| Superchlorination |
The
Practice of adding sufficient amounts of chlorine to detroy
compounds, that reduce the amount of chlorine in a pool (contaminants).
To be effective 10 times the combined chlorine level is added.
(See Break point chlorination) |
| Test
Kit |
A
combination of chemicals used to monitor pool water chemistry. |
| Total
Alkalinity |
The
Ability of the water to resist change in pH. Buffering capacity
of the water. Measured with a test kit. |
| Total
Chlorine |
The
sum of both the Combined (bad) and Free chlorine(good). |
| Total
Dissolved Solids |
A
measure of the total amount of dissolved mater in the water,
including alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, etc. |
| Trichlro
Isocyanruate |
A
granular powder that can be pressed into tablets. Contains
approximately 90% chlorine. Also known as Tri-Chlor. |
| Turbidity |
A
cloudy condition of water due to the presence of extremely
fine particulate material in suspension, that interfere with
the passage of light. |
| Winterizing |
The
procedure of preparing pools and spas for freezing weather.
Includes chemical treatment of the water and chemical and
physical protection of the pool or spa equipment. |
