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WATER CHEMISTRY cont...
WATER TREATMENT GLOSSARY cont...
be rapid sanitizer loss, eye and skin irritation, expedited corrosion of
metals, as well as staining throughout the spa. High PH can result in
cloudy water, low sanitizer efficiency, as well as eye and skin irritation.
3 - Parts per Million (PPM):
The term “parts pre million” will be used
frequently in the world of water care. The term simply means
exactly what it says: the coexistence of any one unlike item with a
larger number of “like” items.
4 - Sanitizers:
Sanitizers are used to destroy bacteria and other germs
in the water. Only 2 sanitizers are used in spas, chlorine (Sodium
Dichlor) and Bromine (Hydrotech or Lonza). Without the use of a
mineral system or an enzyme, the perferred level of sanitizer is
between 2 and 3 ppm.
5 - Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):
TDS is simply the measure of the
total amount of matter dissolved in the water. When this level
becomes too high, action is advised.
6 - Calcium Hardness:
The measure of the amount of calcium
dissolved in the water as expressed in PPM. Hard water, or water with
calcium levels over 250 PPM can cause scale formation on the
surface of the spa or the components of the spa.
7 - Total Chlorine:
Total Chlorine is the sum of the free and combined
chlorines in the water. Often, water will contain a higher level of total
chlorine than available chlorine. If this is the case in your water, you
may use a non-chlorine shock (typically potassium monopersulfate) to
free up the remainder of total chlorine.
8 - Ozone:
Ozone is a gas molecule that can be generated by an
Ozonator, which is composed of three atoms of oxygen and used to
oxidize the water. Ozone is very useful for regenerating bromine from
bromide ions. It also acts as a supplement when used in conjunction
with a sanitizer and may reduce the level of sanitizer required. You
may read more about ozone later in this section of your owner’s
manual.
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9 - Organic Matter:
These are carbon-derived substances typically
generated by living organisms. In a spa, they are most frequently
introduced into the water by bathers. Enzyme products such as Spa
Perfect by Natural Chemistry are most effective at eliminating organic
matter from your body of water.
10 - Microorganisms:
This term refers to tiny, living organisms such
as bacteria, protozoa, or algae.
11 - Sequestering:
This term defines the action taken to remedy high
levels of metals or calcium in the water. By forming a complex that
envelops materials in the water, commonly hardness ions, a
sequestering chemical prevents the ions from reacting to one another,
thus forming complex structures or solids.
12 - Shocking:
Shocking is the act of hyper-chlorinating or
hyper-oxidizing the water. This can be accomplished with a myriad of
shock treatments, but is most commonly accomplished with Sodium
Dichlor or Potassium Monopersulfate. The former raises the
sanitizer level to at least 8 PPM, and the latter burns off chloramines
or bromines. The use of P.S., or non-chlorine shock is advantageous
because you can bathe only 15 minutes after treatment; however,
oxidizing the water will not kill the bacteria unless there is sufficient
total chlorine to free up used chlorine to actively sanitize.
13 - Bather Load:
You may be asked by your spa professional what
the average bather load is, meaning, how many people enter the spa
on a daily or weekly basis.
14 -
Alternative Sanitizers
a group of products that sanitize pool,
spa and hot tub water, by means other than the application of
chemicals to the water. Includes such products as ultraviolet sanitizing
systems, mineral purifiers, ionizers and ozonators.
15 -
Bactericide:
a chemical that kills bacteria. The most common
bactericides are: chlorine, bromine, biguanide, ozone and silver. Most
algaecides, other than copper, exhibit some bactericidal properties.
16 - Balanced Water:
pool or spa water that is within the accepted
water analysis parameters for: pH, sanitizer, total alkalinity, calcium
hardness, chlorine stabilizer (chlorine pools only) and minerals. The
balancing, of the pool or spa water, helps to eliminate water chemistry
problems.
