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Pool & Spa terminology
Definitions of commonly used pool and spa terminology.
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
Acid | Hydrochloric Acid. To lower pH and/or Total Alkalinity |
Algaecide | A chemical to kill and prevent algae in pools |
Ammonia | Chemical introduced by swimmers which forms Chloramines |
Backwash | On a multiport valve. To clean the filter |
Black spot algae | A common type of algae found in pools |
Bromine | A sanitiser used in heated indoor pools |
Buffer | Buffer slows down the change of pH in pool water The ideal level is 80 to 120 ppm |
Calcium Chloride | The chemical that is added to increase Calcium Hardness |
Calcium Hardness | A measure of Calcium in the pool which protects the pool surface and is part of water balance |
Calcium Hypochlorite | A common Chlorine sanitiser |
Cartridge | Used in a cartridge filter |
Cell | Where Chlorine is generated in a salt chlorinator |
Cell cleaner | A chemical to clean the scale from salt cells Usually Phosphoric acid based |
Chloramines | A chemical formed by Chlorine and Ammonia, which causes sore eyes, itchy skin and makes the pool smell strongly of Chlorine Removed by superchlorination |
Chlorine | The most common sanitiser used in pools Can be liquid or granular |
Chlorine remover | A chemical to remove excess Chlorine from water |
Citric Acid | Chemical used to remove stains |
Clarifier | A chemical to clear cloudy water |
Cyanuric Acid | See Stabiliser |
Eyeball | Movable return to pool Where water returns to the pool |
Filter aid | A powdered chemical to aid filtration |
Filter cleaner | A proprietary product to clean cartridges and sand filters |
Flocculent | A chemical to clear very cloudy water Alum in powder or liquid form |
Glass Media | Type of media used in a media filter |
Granular chlorine | See Calcium Hypochlorite |
Green algae | The most common type of algae found in pools |
Hardness increaser | See Calcium Chloride |
Heat pump | Water heater using heat from the air |
Instant pellets | A chemical used for boosting Chlorine levels and used for superchlorination |
Ioniser | An electronic device to purify pool water |
Leaf rake | Device for removing leaves from the bottom of a pool |
Leaf scoop | Device for removing leaves from the pool surface |
Leaf shovel | Device for removing leaves from the bottom of a pool |
Leak sealer | A chemical to stop leaks in pools |
Liquid Chlorine | A sanitiser |
Lithium Hypochlorite | Sanitiser used in spas |
mg/litre | See ppm |
Main drain | In the bottom of the pool A relief valve |
Multiport valve | Valve on a media filter to direct water flow |
Mustard algae | A rare type of algae found in pools |
"O" ring grease | Special waterproof silicone grease |
Once a week tablets (Trichlor, TCCA) | Slow dissolving tablets used in a floating dispenser A sanitiser |
Ozoniser | An electronic device to make Ozone which purifies pool water |
pH | A measure of acid or alkali in pool water The ideal pH is 7.2 to 7.6 |
ppm | Parts per Million. Concentration Also, milligrams per litre, mg/litre |
Phosphate | A mineral food that algae needs to grow |
Phosphate remover | A chemical to prevent algae growth; to remove phosphates |
Polyhexanide | An organic chemical sanitiser |
Pool alarm | Device that sounds an alarm when a child falls into a pool |
Pool cleaner | A device to clean the pool Either suction, robotic or pressure cleaner |
Pool cover | Plastic Cover used to control heat loss from the pool May also be a safety cover |
Pressure gauge | Gauge on top of the filter to tell you when to clean it |
Pump basket | A plastic basket in the pump, which collects leaves |
Pump lid "o" ring | Rubber ring around the pump lid which needs greasing regularly, to stop air leaks |
Re-circulate | On a multiport valve The water by-passes the filter |
Return | See eyeball |
Salt | Used by a salt chlorinator to make Chlorine |
Salt Chlorinator | An electronic device to make Chlorine from salt in the water |
Salt level | Salt content of pool water, needed by the salt chlorinator |
Sand | Specially graded sand for a media filter |
Sanitiser | A chemical that kills harmful bacteria; usually Chlorine |
Scale | Scale, a Calcium Carbonate (chalk) build up on salt chlorinator cells and pool walls |
SDIC | See Stabilised Chlorine |
Skimmer basket | A plastic basket in the skimmer box, which collects leaves |
Skimmer box | At the side of the pool. Where water is skimmed from the surface |
Skimmer sock | A sock put over the skimmer basket, to remove fine particles |
Sodium Bicarbonate | See Buffer |
Sodium Hypochlorite | See Liquid Chlorine |
Stabilised Chlorine (SDIC) | A common Chlorine sanitiser |
Stabiliser (Sunscreen, Cyanuric Acid) | A chemical to stop Chlorine loss by sunlight. Liquid or granular The ideal level is 30 to 50 ppm |
Stain remover | A chemical to remove stains (usually brown Iron or Manganese) from the pool surface |
Sunscreen | See Stabiliser |
Telescopic pole | Extendable pole for attaching pool accessories |
Test Kit | A 4 in 1 kit to test Chlorine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Acid Demand |
Tile and vinyl cleaner | Chemical to clean the water line of a pool |
Timeclock | Standalone or part of the salt chlorinator To regulate the pump hours |
Total Alkalinity | A measure of the amount of alkaline (see Buffer) in the water The ideal level is 80 to 120 ppm |
Vac head | Attached to the telescopic pole to clean the floor of a pool With wheels for concrete pools or brushes for fibreglass, vinyl and painted pools |
Vac hose | Special flexible hose for vacuuming the pool |
Vac plate | A plastic disc, placed in the skimmer box when vacuuming, which the vac hose is connected to |
Vacuuming | Sucking dirt and debris into the filter Cleaning the pool |
Waste | On a multiport valve Water goes down the drain |
Water balance | Balanced water is safe to swim in and protects the pool surface and fittings |
Water flow control valve | Valve used to control the suction (and speed) of a cleaner |
Weir door | For debris floating on the surface to be removed from the pool more easily than without it, as well as keeping that debris in the skimmer basket area so that it can be removed later. |
Winterise | When the pool is not used, in winter |
Zeolite | A type of media used in a sand filter |