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Glossary: Pool & Spa

Glossary: Pool & Spa

List of terms commonly used in the Pool & Spa industry.

Acid
Chemicals used to lower the pH and/or total alkalinity, including: liquid muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or granular pH decreaser (sodium bisulfate).
Acid Demand
Amount of acid required to lower pH to between 7.2 - 7.6.
Algae
Single-celled plant, most common in pools are: blue-green, yellow mustard or black.
Algaecide
Chemicals that kill algae, including: quaternary ammonium compounds, copper, silver or polymer (poly quat), chlorine and bromine.
Algaestat
Inhibits or retards algae growth, but does not necessarily kill the algae.
Alkaline
A.k.a. basic. Opposite of acidic; pH levels above 7.0 (neutral).
Alum
A.k.a. aluminum sulfate; used to clarify water through flocculation.
Anion
Negatively charged ion.
Backwash
Reversing of the flow of water through the filter and sending it to waste.
Bacteria
Single-celled, microorganisms varying from harmless to pathogenic.
Bactericide
Chemicals that kill bacteria, including: chlorine, bromine, biguanide, ozone and silver.
Balanced Water
Water within ideal parameters for: pH, sanitizer, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, chlorine stabilizer (chlorine pools only) and minerals.
Basic
A.k.a. alkaline. Opposite of acidic; pH levels above 7.0 (neutral).
Biofilm
Slippery coating of microorganisms that can develop in poorly sanitized pools and spas.
Biodegrade
The natural breakdown or decomposition by which organic substances are degraded into harmless basic materials, including: water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.
Breakpoint Chlorination
Amount of chlorine required to completely oxidize all organics and decompose all combined chlorine present in pool / spa water.
Broadcast
Throwing or dispersing dry granular chemicals across the surface of a swimming pool.
Buffer
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda); used to stabilize pH in pool / spa water.
Calcium Carbonate
A.k.a. scales; crystalline deposits that can form on all under water surfaces when water is excessively high in calcium hardness.
Calcium Chloride
Used to raise the calcium hardness of the water.
Calcium Hardness
Measurement of the dissolved calcium content of the water.
Cartridge Filter
Filter that removes particles from pool / spa water through a porous, pleated insert or bag.
Cation
Positively charged ion.
Chelating Agent
Chemical compounds that react with minerals (heavy metals) such as iron, copper, manganese and calcium and forms stable, soluble products; used to prevent staining and discoloration and is the preferred method for treating iron, copper and manganese.
Chloramines
Forms of combined chlorine formed by the reaction of chlorine with nitrogen containing waste products.
Chlorine Demand
Amount of Free Chlorine that must be added to water, showing a zero Free Chlorine level, in order to produce at least a minimally positive Free Chlorine level.
Copper
Naturally occurring metal; used as an active ingredient in some algaecides and as a component in ionizers / mineral purifiers.
Chlorine Conditioner / Stabilizer
Protects chlorine from being destroyed by UV-rays from the sun; makes chlorine last longer.
Corrosion
Degradation of surfaces proximate to pool / spa water resulting from low pH.
Cyanobacteria
A.k.a. blue-green algae; found in swimming pools.
Cyanuric Acid (CYA)
Active ingredient in chlorine conditioners / stabilizers.
Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.)
Naturally occurring sedimentary rock, crushed and used as filter media in D.E. filters for pools / spas.
Dry Acid
A.k.a. sodium bisulfate; used to lower the pH and total alkalinity.
Enzymes
Organic agents that speed the natural breakdown or decomposition of oily wastes and organic residues in pools and spas.
Filter Media
Materials used to remove dirt and debris from pool / spa water, including: diatomaceous earth, sand and zeolites.
Flocculation
When insoluble fine particles precipitate from suspension.
Foam
Pockets of gas trapped in pool or spa water resulting from agitation, surfactants or body oils.
Gallon (US)
U.S. unit of liquid volume; 1 gallon (US) = 3.8 liters.
Halogens
Family of elements including chlorine and bromine.
Hard Water
Describes water that is high in calcium or magnesium.
Heavy Metals
Describes the presence of metallic elements such as iron, copper, manganese, etc.
Hot Tub
Wooden alternative to the typical spa.
Hypochlorites
a group of chlorine compounds used to sanitize or shock pool or spa water. Includes: liquid sodium hypochlorite, and granular calcium and lithium hypochlorites.
Hydrogen Peroxide
A.k.a. H2O2; used as a shock treatment for pools and spas
Ionizers
Equipment designed to sanitize pool / spa water as water passes over electrodes charged with a low level of copper and silver ions.
Iron
Naturally occurring mineral in well water and other water sources.
Kilogram
Metric unit of weight; 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds.
Lanthanum
Rare earth element.
Leaching
Describes the movement of slowly soluble constituents into pool water; can affect pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness.
Liter
Metric unit of volume; 1 U.S. Gallon = 3.8 liters.
Magnesium
Naturally occurring mineral that is common in hard water.
Manganese
Mineral that can occasionally occur in well water; causes brown-black staining and discoloration problems.
Micro-filter
Filter that removes very fine particles, including: dead algae and bacteria.
Mineral Purifier
Device that releases copper, silver or zinc ions into the water at very low levels; used for sanitization.
Minerals
Naturally occurring components of water, including: salt, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, etc.
Microorganisms
Living organisms, including: algae, bacteria, mold and fungus.
Mottling
Dark blotches, spots or stains that can appear on some pool surfaces.
Muriatic Acid
A.k.a. hydrochloric acid; used to lower pH, lower total alkalinity, acid washing and stain removal.
Nitrates
Vital nutrient for algae that stimulates algal growth and leads to higher consumption of chlorine.
Non-Chlorine Shock (MPS)
A.k.a. potassium monopersulfate, monopersulfate compound and potassium peroxymonosulfate; used as a shock treatment.
Opening
Steps taken to restore the pool to operational status after a closure.
ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential)
Measurement of the oxidizing power of pool water containing chlorine or bromine.
Oxidation
Chemical reaction where organic matter is destroyed by the action of chlorine, bromine, ozone, hydrogen peroxide or non-chlorine shock.
Ozonator
Device for producing Ozone (O3).
Ozone (O3)
Powerful oxidizing agent typically produced by an Ozonator installed in a pool or spa; used to destroy organic waste and byproducts and help in the control of algae and bacteria.
Parameter
Limits, ranges or boundary-determining characteristics.
Pathogenic
Describes infectious, disease-causing microorganisms in pools such as e. coli or pseudomonas aeruginosa.
pH
The pH scale goes from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline); 7 is neutral. The ideal range for most pools and spas is 7.2-7.8.
Phosphates
Salt or ester of phosphoric acid; in excess it stimulates algae growth in pools. Collect in pool water from decomposition of vegetation, urine, body wastes, and some mineral or scale treatments.
Potassium Monopersulfate
A.k.a. Non-Chlorine Shock.
PPM
Parts per million; used as a unit or measurement of concentration. 1 PPM equals 1 pound per 1 million pounds of water.
Precipitation
Formation of an insoluble chemical compound which drops out of solution.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
A.k.a. quats; used to treat the most common varieties of algae.
Reagent
Technical term for a testing solution.
Salt Chlorine Generator
Equipment that converts salt into chlorine in line as the water passes over specially-coated titanium electrodes.
Sand Filter
Tank-shaped filter that utilizes a special grade of sand, as a filter media.
Sanitizers
Chemicals or equipment used to kill bacteria, viruses, algae and mold; includes: chlorine, bromine, biguanide, ozone, ionization, mineral purifiers, salt chlorine generators, ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing, etc.
Scale
A.k.a. calcium carbonate precipitate.
Scale Formation
Whitish coating on underwater surfaces. In excess causes problems with filtration and pool heating. Scale occurs if the calcium hardness exceeds 400 PPM and the pool chemistry is not properly maintained.
Sequestering Agent
Used to treat calcium problems in pool water.
Shock
A.k.a superchlorination; used to break down combined chlorine, organic waste and contamination and re-establish a positive level of Free Chlorine.
Silt
ultra fine particles that settle to the bottom of a pool during periods of inactivity.
Silver
Used in ionization units; silver ions can function as a bactericide.
Skimmer
Intake filter on the side of a pool that aids in the removal of floating debris and regulates the water-level.
Slime
A.k.a. biofilm; algal or bacterial film often due to inadequate sanitation or water circulation.
Soda Ash
A.k.a. sodium carbonate; used to raise the pH of water and neutralize acid.
Sodium Bicarbonate
A.k.a. sodium acid carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, baking soda; used to raise the total alkalinity of water and create a pH buffer.
Sodium Bromide
Used to treat a variety of resistant conditions, including: "pink" algae, water mold, slimes and yellow-mustard algae.
Sodium Carbonate
A.k.a. soda ash; used to raise the pH of water and neutralize acid.
Sodium Bisulfate
Acidic, granular chemical used to lower the pH and/or total alkalinity.
Sodium Dichlor
Form of stabilized chlorine.
Sodium Hydroxide
Caustic, high pH by-product produced by common types of salt chlorine generators. Also known as lye or caustic soda.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Liquid chlorine solution.
Soft Water
Water that is low in calcium and magnesium hardness. Soft water is corrosive to masonry surfaces and underwater metal parts.
Solar Blanket
Buoyant, air bubble filled plastic sheet placed directly on water surface. Warms water by capturing any solar rays and by reducing evaporation.
Solar Heating Systems
Type of heater powered by solar energy which can be plumbed to the pool for decreased power consumption.
Spa
Small recreational basin; typically features heated water and air jets.
Swale
A linear, shallow open area of ground which contours direct water flow.
Superchlorination
A.k.a. Shocking pool water.
Total Alkalinity (TA)
The ability of water to resist changes in pH. Ideal is 80-120 PPM.
Total Chlorine
Measurement of the total amount of FREE CHLORINE plus the amount of COMBINED CHLORINE; reported in PPM.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Measurement in PPM of all dissolved compounds in the water including metals, minerals and salts.
Turbidity
Degree to which light is blocked because pool / spa water is cloudy.
Ultraviolet (UV)
Used in line to reduce the overall population of micro-organisms in water.
Vacuuming
Drawing unwanted debris and water from the bottom of a pool into the filter by using a hose attached to a vacuum head, typically attached to a pole.
Venturi
A vacuum line in the return line of a pool or spa; used with ozonators, in order to inject ozone into water.
Water Chemistry
Proper balance of common pool water parameters, including: sanitizer level, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, chlorine levels, phosphate control, nitrate levels, heavy metals, etc.
Water Mold
General term that describes a bacterial or microorganism bloom that can cover broad areas and can cloud the water. Can be pink or white in appearance.
Water Quality
The state of the overall pool or spa water conditions, specifically including: water clarity, water color, overall water chemistry, sanitation and the appearance of underwater surfaces.
Wetting Agent
Component that helps make water wetter by minimizing surface tension of the water molecule.
Winterizing
A.k.a. closing. Steps taken to protect equipment and prepare the pool for an inactive period.
Zeolite
Naturally-occurring mineral used as a replacement for ordinary sand filter media. Lasts longer and produces higher clarity and quality water than ordinary filter sand. 1 lb zeolite can replace 2 lbs filter sand.
Zinc
Metallic chemical element; used in some ionization units. Zinc ions can function as a bactericide.
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