Water Care Glossary
Acid: A pH below neutral; also refers to a liquid or dry chemical to lower the pH
Alkaline: A pH above neutral; also a chemical used to raise water pH
Balance: A range where the properties of the water are ideal and will not corrode or form scale
Biguanide: A chlorine alternative sanitizing system
Bromine: A halogen sanitizer, effective at higher pH but not stabile in sunlight
Calcium hardness: The amount of calcium suspended in the water
Catalytic cell: In pool and spa water treatment, this is a box containing electrodes that break apart ions so they can join other ions to form algae- and bacteria-killing chlorine
Chelating agent: A product that binds to metals for their removal
Chlorine: A popular and effective sanitizer and oxidizer that kills algae and bacteria and destroys suspended dirt particles in water
Corona discharge: A method of making ozone
Cynauric Acid: A chlorine stabilizer
Flocculant: A product to bind particles together so they can be vacuumed out of the pool
Free available chlorine: The amount of chlorine available to sanitize
Ionizer: A device to produce minerals that help sanitize the water
Oxidize: To remove oils, lotions and other unwanted elements from the water by changing them chemically
Ozonator: A device that produces ozone
Ozone: A short-acting sanitizer and oxidizer made from oxygen
pH: The abbreviation for potential hydrogen, this indicates the acidity or alkalinity of pool or spa water.
ppm: parts per million
Salt chlorine generator: A device that turns ordinary salt into chlorine, a sanitizer
Sanitize: Kill bacteria or inhibit bacteria and algae growth
Sanitizer residual: The amount of active chemical available to sanitize
Sequestering agent: A product to coagulate particles and remove minerals or metals from the water
Shock treatment: The addition of chemicals to eliminate unhealthy water conditions; ""shocking"" chemically changes oils, lotions and other unwanted elements so they can be removed from water
Stabilizer: A product added to chlorine that helps it resist breaking down in sunlight
Total alkalinity: The amount of alkaline elements in the pool
Total dissolved solids (TDS): The amount of inert elements in the water
Ultraviolet: Wavelengths shorter than visible light used for making ozone