ALGAECIDES/ALGICIDES

natural or synthetic substances used for killing, destroying, or controlling algae. Algaecides perform best when used regularly as part of a normal maintenance program along with a routine sanitization program. A variety of algae treatment products are available including polymers, quat compounds, chlorine enhancers, copper and silver compounds, and herbicides.

BALANCE

a term used to describe water that has all of its chemistry parameters in their proper ranges and is thus neither scaling nor corrosive. The key components of water balance are pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and temperature.

BROMINE

a member of the halogen family, commonly used as a sanitizer in spas, because it is effective in a wide range of water temperatures and pH levels. Less commonly used for pools, bromine is both an oxidant and a biocidal agent.

CALCIUM HARDNESS

the amount of calcium dissolved in water, expressed in ppm. A titration test is used to determine whether the level is within the proper range to achieve balance. If it's too low, the water is corrosive - while too much calcium hardness can lead to cloudy water or produce scale.

CHLORINE

a member of the halogen family of sanitizers, used in swimming pools as a gas, liquid, granular or tablet compound. When added to water, it acts as an oxidizer, sanitizer, disinfectant and biocide. Chlorine is the most popular pool and spa disinfectant.

- FREE CHLORINE

one of the two forms of chlorine typically found in pool water, free chlorine is the active form that is able to destroy bacteria, algae and other potentially harmful organisms as they enter the water. The proper amount of free chlorine is important because it ensures ongoing, active protection for swimmers. Also called free available chlorine and often abbreviated in test kit/strip instructions as FAC.

- COMBINED CHLORINE

one of the two forms of chlorine, combined chlorine is the form that has been used up and thus no longer has the ability to disinfect. To measure combined chlorine, subtract a free available chlorine test result from the result of a total chlorine test. There is no test for combined chlorine. An overabundance of combined chlorine causes the eye irritation and odor often associated with chlorine. Adding a large dose of chlorine or a non-chlorine shock can correct this condition.

- TOTAL CHLORINE

the sum of both the free and combined chlorine residuals in water. This is one of the levels that can be determined with a DPD test. The difference between it and the level of free avaiable chlorine is the level of combined chlorine.

CLARIFIER

a product that causes fine suspended particles in water to combine into filterable or vacuumable clusters.

COPPER

a metal found in corrosive water or if copper-based algaecides are over-dosed. Copper generally gives the water a green or blue cast. Copper commonly forms blue-green to black colored staining on pool surfaces. Copper is also associated with green hair and fingernails.

ENZYMES

used in swimming pool and spa products to break down and digest oils and grease.

HARDNESS

the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water. It is measured in parts per million (ppm).

MURIATIC ACID

also called liquid acid, this dilution of hydrochloric acid can be used to reduce the pH and alkalinity levels in pool water. It is also used in acid washing, a process that removes stains and scale from pool plaster. It is extremely aggressive and corrosive.

OXIDIZER

a product that destroys organic and inorganic contaminants such as ammonia, chloramines and swimmer waste in water.

PH

an index of the alkalinity or acidity of the water, where 7.0 is neutral, above 7 is basic or alkaline and below 7 is acidic. A high pH level (too alkaline) can irritate the eyes and skin, produce mineral scaling on pools and reduce the sanitizing effect of chlorine. A low pH level (too acidic) can also cause swimmer discomfort as well as corrosion of fixtures and equipment. The ideal range is 7.4-7.6.

SANITIZER

a chemical agent used to destroy unwanted microorganisms in water.

SCALE

usually whitish in color, scale forms on surfaces and equipment when mineral salts are forced out of solution. A scaling condition is one in which calcium hardness, pH and/or alkalinity levels are out of balance. Scale may appear as gray, white or dark streaks on plaster, fiberglass or vinyl. It may also appear as a hard crust around tile.

SHOCK TREATMENT

adding significant amounts of an oxidizing compound to pool or spa water to chemically break up (oxidize) contaminants such as suntan oils, cosmetics, perspiration and windblown dirt.

TOTAL ALKALINITY (TA)

the amount of alkaline substances (carbonates and bicarbonates) present in water. Also called the buffering capacity of the water because these substances contribute to the water's ability to resist change in pH. Low total alkalinity (or acidic water) causes metal corrosion, plaster etching and eye irritation and chlorine loss. High total alkalinity causes scale formation, poor chlorine efficiency and eye irritation. It is measured in ppm with most standard test kits and strips.

TOTAL HARDNESS

the combined amount of calcium and magnesium hardness in pool or spa water. When total hardness is too high, scale can form, causing pool filters or plumbing to clog. The water may also appear cloudy. Water that is too soft (has low hardness level) will slowly disslove plaster walls and corrode metal fixtures.