Glossary of Terms
- Algae: Microscopic plants capable of
rapid reproduction. Common pool infestations include green
floating, black wall clinging, and mustard colored stains.
Discolors water and pool surfaces.
- Algaecides: Products that prevent or
control algae growth.
- Bacteria: Single cell organisms that
contaminate your pool. Can be introduced from the environment
and by swimmers. Some are pathogenic (harmful to humans).
- Balanced water: The correct ratio of
mineral content and pH level that prevents pool water from
being either corrosive or scale-forming.
- Calcium Hardness: (Abbr. CH) The amount
of dissolved calcium in the water.
High hardness levels cause cloudy water and scale formation.
Low levels are harmful to pool and equipment.
- Cartridge filter: A filter for pool
water that uses paper or fabric-like material to remove
suspended matter.
- Chlorine: A form of sanitizing agent
that controls bacteria in swimming pools by the release
of hypochlorous acid, also known as "free available
chlorine."
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter: A filter
for pool water, using diatomaceous earth, which consists
of tiny prehistoric diatom skeletons. They are very porous
and provide an excellent filter media.
- pH: A measurement of acuity or basicity
(alkalinity) of water. In swimming pools, it is the most
important component of chemical balance.
- Sand filter: A pool water filter that
uses a fine silica sand as its filter media.
- Shock treatment: The addition of an
oxidizing compound to the pool water to chemically break
up (oxidize) contaminants such as suntan oils; cosmetics,
perspiration, metal ions, and wind-blown dirt which interfere
with normal sanitizer performance and/or cause cloudy or
colored water.
- Total Alkalinity: The amount of carbonates,
bicarbonates, and hydroxides in the pool. A high total alkalinity
causes pH to resist adjustment to the desired range. A low
total alkalinity makes it difficult to maintain pH within
the desired range.
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