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Glossary Of Swimming Pool Terms & Definitions |
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ACID A sour 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 the acid demand test.
ACID DEMAND TEST A reagent test usually used in conjunction with a pH test to determine the amount of acid needed to lower pH and total alkalinity levels.
ACID RAIN Precipitation having an unusually low pH value (4.5 or lower) caused by absorption of air polluted by sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
ACRYLIC A thermoplastic sheet formed into a mold to make a spa or related equipment. It is first heated and then vacuumed onto the mold.
AIR BLOWER A mechanical device that forces air through holes in the floor, bubbler ring or hydrotherapy jets in a spa.
AIR-RELIEF VALVE A brass or plastic, manually operated valve located at the top of a filter tank for relieving the pressure inside the filter and for removing the air inside the filter (called bleeding the filter). Sometimes called a pressure-relief valve.
ALGAE Microscopic plant-like organisms that contain chlorophyll. Algae are nourished by carbon dioxide (CO2) 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, and it is slippery. There are 21,000 known species of algae. The most common pool types and black, blue-green, green and mustard (yellow or drawn). Pink or red-colored algae-like organisms exist but are bacteria and not algae. Maintaining proper sanitizer levels, shocking and superchlorination will help prevent its occurrence.
ALGAECIDE Also called algicide - A natural or synthetic chemical designed to kill, destroy or control algae.
ALKALI Also called base - A Class of compounds which will react with an acid to give a salt. Alkali is the opposite of acid.
ALKALINITY Also more commonly called total alkalinity. A measure of the pH-buffering capacity of water. Also called the 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.
ALUM Any one of several aluminum compounds used in pools to form a gelatinous floc on sand filters or to coagulate and precipitate suspended particles in the water.
AMMONIA Introduced into the water by swimmers as waste (perspiration or urine) or by other means. Quickly forms foul-smelling, body- irritating chloramines - a disabled, less- effective form of chlorine. See chloramines or combined chlorine.
ANTI-FOAM A chemical added to the water to make the suds or foam go away. These products do not remove the source of the sudsing. Most often, the water must be drained and refilled to remove the soaps, oils and other causes of foaming. Shocking and superchlorination may help prevent foaming.
ASCORBIC ACID A chemical compound used to remove iron stains from fiberglass and vinyl-liner pools.
AUTOMATIC POOL CLNR A pool maintenance system that will agitate or vacuum debris from the pool interior automatically.
AVAIL.CHLOR CONTENT A term used or an index used to compare the oxidizing power of chorine-containing products to gas chlorine. It permits easy comparison of chlorine compounds.
AVAILABLE CHLORINE The amount of chlorine, both free and combined in the pool water that is available to sanitize or disinfect the water. Some- times called residual chlorine.
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