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Algae - microscopic, single cell plants found virtually everywhere.  Various strains range in color from yellow to dark blue-green.  For more detailed information on algae found in swimming pools plus how to prevent or treat it, click here.

Algicide - chemical products used to kill, prevent or control algae.

Alkali - a term used to describe water having a pH value greater than 7.0.

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Bacteria - microscopic organisms found everywhere, some of which may be harmful to people (pathogens).

Balanced Water - the state of the pool water where the components are in their proper ranges for optimal comfort, clarity, and sanitizer effectiveness. Components include pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids.

Biguanide - the common generic term used when referring to a class of pool & spa sanitizers whose active ingredient is PHMB (poly hexamethyl biguanide).  These sanitizers are often times referred to as being non-chlorine or non-bromine or chlorine-free or bromine-free.

Bio-film - a build-up of slime, greases & oils on pool surfaces, ladders, filters, piping that form a breeding ground for bacterial & algal problems. 

Bromine - a halogen element used in place of chlorine as a sanitizer in spas & hot tubs.

Buffer - to prevent large fluctuations or shifts in the pH level.

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Calcium Hardness - the amount of dissolved calcium present in spa & hot tub water.  Low levels of calcium hardness can and do promote corrosion and deterioration of surfaces including spa equipment.  High levels promote the formation of scale, clogging pipes & scaling spa & hot tub surfaces.  (Ideal range: 175 - 225 ppm).

Cartridge - a filtering media using a porous, replaceable element.  Dirt, debris & particles are removed from the water when they pass through the cartridge.  Loose debris can normally be hosed off, however greases & oils must be chemically removed by soaking the cartridge (Filter Cleaner)

Chelant - a chemical used to "tie-up" heavy metals such as iron, copper, manganese or calcium to prevent staining & scaling.  Can also be referred to as a sequestering agent.

Chloramine - a chemical substance formed when a chlorine molecule combines with organic waste such as sweat, urine, ammonia (and other nitrogenous compounds) causing a strong, pungent odor and irritation to bathers' skin, eyes and/or mucous membranes.  Chloramines have almost no sanitizing value when compared to Free Available Chlorine.  Here's an in-depth article about chloramines.

Chlorine - one of the 5 members of the halogen family of elements.  Chlorine is the most widely used bacteria and algae killing product for hot tubs and spas.  Found in 2 forms: Organic - stable toward UV rays and therefore longer lasting and Inorganic - which are susceptible to UV degradation and less convenient for pool use.  Please note:  Inorganic compounds make effective Shock treatments however are not recommended in hot water use.

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Chlorine Demand - the amount of chlorine required to be added to the water before a free chlorine residual can be maintained.  Almost anything entering the water (including rainfall or fresh-water fill ups) can contribute to chlorine demand.

Chlorine Residual - the quantity of chlorinating product present in the water, available to kill bacteria & oxidize swimmer and/or environmental waste entering the pool.  This residual is what is left after the Chlorine Demand has been met.

Combined Chlorine - chlorine that has combined with ammonia, nitrogen or other organic compounds.

Corrosion - pitting, etching or erosion of pool equipment & surfaces caused by LOW pH and/or other chemical imbalances.

DPD - a testing reagent (typically in tablet form) used to measure chlorine or bromine.  #1 tests for Free Available Chlorine, #3 tests for Total Chlorine, #4 tests for Combined Chlorine.

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Effluent - water that flows OUT of a filter or pump.

Filter - a device that removes particulate matter from a swimming pool utilizing a "porous media".  The e commonly used filters are Sand, Cartridge & DE.

Filter Cycle - the time between filtering cleanings or backwashings.  The longer, the better.

Filter Element - see Cartridge

Flow Rate - the measure of the volume of water passing a given point during a specific time period, typically expressed in gallons per minute.

Free Available Chlorine (FAC) - (hypochlorous acid) the chlorine residual in pool water that is NOT combined & therefore able to kill bacteria and control algae entering the water.

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Gunite - a type of "concrete" finish sprayed on pool surfaces.

Impeller - the most important part of the pump.  The impeller's rotating veins create the suction into the pump & flow through the rest of the filtering system.

Influent - the water entering a pump, filter, heater or pool.

Inorganic Chlorine (Unstabilized Chlorine) - a form of chorine NOT containing a carbon atom that is very susceptible to UV degradation (i.e. Calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite).

Make-up Water - fresh water used to fill or "top-up" a pool or spa.  Oftentimes referred to as "source water".

Nitrogen - an element that can combine with chlorine & produce chloramines.

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Organic Chlorine - a form of chlorine CONTAINING carbon including CYA.  Organic chlorines are not as susceptible to UV degradation (i.e. Sodium Dichloro or Tri-chloro).

Organic Matter - most anything living organism, including leaves, bugs, urine, perspiration, cosmetics, etc. containing carbon in their material composition.

Oxidize (Oxidation) - a chemical process used to remove undesirable organic & inorganic compounds from pool water.

Ozone - a gas containing 3 oxygen atoms.  More typically used in spas.  Very unstable and has a short "kill-life".  Normally used as a supplement to chlorine or bromine in controlling bacteria.

pH - a measurement of the acidity or basicity of a solution.  pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14.  Under 7.0, the solution is considered Acidic.  Over 7.0 is considered Basic.  The ideal range for swimming pools & spas is 7.4 to 7.6; this level provides the best swimmer comfort as well as optimal, efficient use of chlorine & bromine.

pH Decreaser (minus) - a generic term for chemicals that LOWER pH (acid)

pH Increaser (plus) - a generic term for chemicals that INCREASES pH (soda ash)

Phenol Red - a liquid reagent used to measure pH.  Most accurate in a range of 6.8 to 8.2.

Plaster - a type of interior finish on a spa.

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ppm (Parts Per Million) - a unit of measure for chemical application.

Precipitate - Solid particles forced out of solution by a chemical reaction.  Normally settle out or give a "cloudy" look to the water.

Primary disinfectant - those products having EPA approval for factually killing bacteria or sanitizing.

Reagent - chemical testing solutions used to test chlorine, bromine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, etc.

Scale - mineral deposits that form on spa & hot tub surfaces & equipment normally due to excess calcium in the water.  Scale more typically forms in heated water rather than cool water.

Shock Treat (shock, shocking) - the addition of an chemicals added to the water with the purpose of destroying chloramines or other undesirable compounds.

Skimmer - a device in the pool that aids in the removal of floating debris (leaves, bugs) being taken into the filter system.

Soda Ash - a product used to RAISE the pH of the water.

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Stabilizer - see Cyanuric Acid

Superchlorination - the addition of large quantities of chlorine (usually unstabilized chlorine) at a rate of 3 to 5 times the normal shocking dosage in order to destroy chloramines, kill bacteria, and to kill algae.

Total Alkalinity (TA) - a measure of the pool water's ability to prevent pH "bounce" or fluctuation.  TA measures the amount of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and borates in the water.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) - the measure of all of the dissolved matter in the water.  TDS over 1500 ppm may interfere with the pool sanitizer's ability to control bacteria & algae.

Turbidity - cloudy condition of the pool water

Turnover Rate - the time it takes in hours to circulate the entire spa or hot tub's volume.

Winterizing - the procedure for protecting pools & spas from winter weather.  This includes physical as well as chemical protection.  See the Winterizing section for more details.

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