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CALCIUM
CARBONATE
(chemical related)
Crystalline compounds formed in swimming pool and spa water when the calcium, pH
and total alkalinity levels are too high. Once formed, the crystals adhere to
the plumbing, equipment, pool walls and bottom. These crystals are better known
as scale.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE
(chemical related)
A soluble white salt used to raise the calcium or total hardness level in the
pool or spa.
CALCIUM HARDNESS
(chemical related)
The calcium content of the water. Calcium hardness is sometimes confused with
the terms water hardness and total hardness. Too little calcium hardness and the
water is corrosive. Too much calcium hardness and the water is scale forming.
One of the basic water tests necessary to determine water balance. Minimum level
is 150 ppm. Ideal range is 200 to 400 ppm.
CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE
(chemical related)
Also called 'Cal Hypo'. A compound of chlorine and calcium used as a
disinfectant, sanitizer, bactericide, algaecide and oxidizer in swimming pool
and spa water. It is available as a white granular material usually used for
super chlorination or it is available as tablets used in a feeder for regular
chlorination. It usually contains 65% available chlorine.
CARTRIDGE A replaceable
porous element made of paper or polyester used as the filter medium in cartridge
filters.
CARTRIDGE FILTER A pool or
spa water filter that uses a replaceable porous element made of paper or
polyester.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP A pump
consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating shaft and enclosed in a casing or
volute and having an inlet and a discharge connection. The rotating impeller
creates pressure in the water by the velocity derived from the centrifugal
force.
CHECK VALVE A mechanical
device in a pipe that permits the flow of water or air in one direction only.
CHELATE
(chemical related)
(Pronounced KEY-late) - also called sequester - It is the process of preventing
metals in the water from combining with other components in water to form
colored precipitates that stain the pool walls and bottom or produce colored
water.
CHELATED COPPER
(chemical related)
Copper algaecides that contain a special ingredient to prevent the copper from
staining the pool walls and bottom or producing colored water.
CHEMICAL FEEDER
(chemical related)
Any of several types of devices that dispense chemicals into the pool or spa
water at a predetermined rate. Some dispense chlorine or bromine while others
dispense pH-adjusting chemicals.
CHLORINE NEUTRALIZER
(chemical related)
A chemical used to make chlorine harmless. Used in test kits to counteract the
bleaching effect of the chlorine or bromine in order to increase the accuracy of
pool water tests. Sold as chlorine and bromine neutralizer, it is used to
destroy excessive amounts of chlorine or bromine, so the high levels will not
affect swimmers.
CHLORAMINES
(chemical related)
Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds formed when insufficient
levels of free available chlorine react with ammonia and other
nitrogen-containing compounds (swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer,
perspiration, urine, etc.). Chloramines are still disinfectants, but they are a
much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine. Chloramines are removed by super
chlorination or shock treating.
CHLORINATOR
(chemical related)
A mechanical or electrical device for dispensing chlorine at a controlled rate.
Most often a canister or floater filled with tablets of chlorine.
CHLORINE
(chemical related)
A term used to describe any type of chlorine compound used as a disinfectant in
swimming pool and spa water or to kill, destroy or control bacteria and algae.
In addition, chlorine oxidizes ammonia and nitrogen compounds (swimmer and
bather waste).
CHLORINE DEMAND
(chemical related)
The amount of chlorine necessary to oxidize all organic matter (bacteria, algae,
chloramines, ammonia and nitrogen compounds) in the pool or spa water.
CHLORINE ENHANCER
(chemical related)
A chemical compound that when used in conjunction with chlorine makes the
chlorine perform better as an algaecide.
CHLORINE gas
(chemical related)
This is the most pure form of chlorine and can only be applied to pools by a
trained professional. It is not an appropriate sanitizer for spas
CHLORINE GENERATOR
(chemical related)
An electrical device that generates chlorine from a salt solution in a tank or
from salt added to the pool water.
CHLORINE LOCK
(chemical related)
This is a term that implies that an over- abundance of cyanuric acid (stabilizer
or conditioner) in the water would cause the chlorine to be all "locked up."
This is not true.
CHLORINE RESIDUAL
(chemical related)
The amount of chlorine left in the pool or spa water after the chlorine demand
has been satisfied.
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
An arrangement of mechanical equipment or components, connected by piping to a
pool or spa in a closed circuit. The function of a circulation system is to
direct water from the pool or spa, causing it to flow through the various system
components for purposes of clarifying, heating, purifying, and returning the
water back to the original body of water.
CLARIFIER
(chemical related)
Also called coagulant or flocculant - A chemical compound used to gather
(coagulate or agglomerate), or to precipitate suspend- ed particles so they may
be removed by vacuuming or filtration. The are two types; inorganic salts of
aluminum (alum) or water- soluble organic polyelectrolytes.
CLARITY
(chemical related)
The degree of transparency of the water.
COAGULANT
(chemical related)
An organic polyelectrolyte used to gather (coagulate) suspended particles in the
water.
COLORMETRIC TEST
(chemical related)
A test for chlorine, bromine and pH where the reagent causes a change in color
when reacting with the specified chemical.
COMBINED CHLORINE
(chemical related)
Undesirable, foul-smelling, body-irritating compounds formed when insufficient
levels of free available chlorine react with ammonia and other
nitrogen-containing compounds (swimmer and bather waste, fertilizer,
perspiration, urine, etc.). Combined chlorine is still a disinfectant, but it is
a much weaker, ineffective form of chlorine.
CONDITIONER
(chemical related)
Chemically, conditioner is cyanuric acid. It slows down the degradation of
chlorine in the water by sunlight.
COPING The cap or top lip
on the pool or spa wall that provides a finished edge around the pool or spa. It
can be formed, cast in place or pre-cast, or prefabricated of extruded aluminum
or rigid vinyl. It may also be part of the system that secures a vinyl liner to
the top of the pool wall.
COPPER
(chemical related)
It is one of nature's elements. It is also used for various parts of equipment
and plumbing in swimming pools and spas. Corrosive water caused by misuse of
chemicals, improper water balance, or placing trichlor tablets in the skimmer
can cause copper to be dissolved from the equipment or plumbing and deposit the
precipitates on hair, finger- nails or pool walls. High levels of copper also
cause green water. Copper is also used as an algaecide. Maximum level is about
0.2 ppm.
COPPER ALGAECIDE
(chemical related)
A chemical compound that contains the element copper. Copper sulfate was one of
the original copper algaecides. Too much copper in the water can cause
green-colored stains. Newer copper algaecides contain an ingredient that
prevents the copper from staining but does not affect copper's ability to kill
algae. These special copper algaecides are called chelated copper algaecides.
CORROSION
(chemical related)
The etching, pitting or eating away of the pool or spa or equipment. Caused by
improper water balance, misuse of acid or acidic products or from soft water.
COUPLING A plumbing
fitting that is used to connect two pieces of pipe.
COVER, HARD-TOP A cover
used on pools, spas and hot tubs that rests on the lip (coping) of the pool or
spa deck - not a flotation cover. Used as a barrier to swimmers and bathers, and
for maintenance and thermal protection.
COVER, SOLAR A cover that,
when placed on the water's surface of a pool, spa or hot tub, increases the
water temperature by absorption and transmission of solar radiation; reduces
evaporation and prevents wine-borne debris from entering the water.
COVER, THERMAL An
non-transparent insulating flotation cover used to help prevent evaporation and
heat loss from pools and spas.
COVER, WINTER A cover that
is secured around the perimeter of a pool, spa or hot tub that provides a
barrier to bathers and debris when the pool, spa or hot tub is closed for the
season.
CYANURIC ACID
(chemical related)
Also called conditioner or stabilizer - Chemically, conditioner is cyanuric
acid. It protects chlorine in the water from being destroyed by sunlight.
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