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WATER CHEMISTRY cont...
WATER TREATMENT GLOSSARY cont...
17 - Chloramines:
irritating, odorous forms of combined chlorine,
formed by the reaction of chlorine with nitrogen containing waste
products. Chloramines are ineffective as a pool or spa sanitizer. High
levels of chloramines can cause the problems of “Red Eyes” or
“Stinging Eyes.” Usually requires a shock treatment to lower or
destroy the combined chlorine level.
18 - Corona Discharge:
a method for producing ozone, by utilizing
high voltage arcing to convert oxygen (O2) into ozone (O3). Refer to
the listing for Ozone for more information.
19 - Enzymes:
organic agents that hasten the natural breakdown
(digestion) or decomposition of oily wastes and organic residues in
pools and spas.
20 - Hard Water:
the term used to describe water that is high in cal-
cium or magnesium. High levels, usually over 400 PPM, can lead to
clarity and scaling problems, if not treated. Source of the calcium can
be natural or can be contributed by chemicals such as calcium
hypochlorite.
21 - Ions:
the electrically charged state that an element assumes in
true solution. In the ionic state, ions are chemically reactive. Some
ions, such as, copper, silver and zinc, are used as sanitizers in mineral
purifiers and/or ionizers.
22 - Ionizers:
equipment that sanitizes pool and spa water by provid-
ing a low level source of copper and silver ions, as the water passes
over charged electrodes. Copper ions can provide algaecidal control.
Silver ions can provide bactericidal control. Other types of devices
(mineral purifiers) work by an erosion principle and utilize copper, silver
or zinc ions. Spa ionizers often lack the copper element because the
need for algae control is not as acute as in a pool.
23 - Mineral Purifier:
a type of device that releases copper, silver or
zinc ions into the water at very low levels. In this ionic state, these
minerals can function in the sanitizer role and help control algae and
bacteria in pool and spa water. Mineral Purifiers work on the principle-
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of erosion and do not require electrical components. Most include
some type of replaceable cartridge, that contains the copper, silver or
zinc materials.
24 - Biguanide:
the generic name for a non-chlorine, non-bromine,
sanitizer that utilizes the polymer PHMB (polyhexamethylene
biguanide). It is used to totally eliminate the use of chlorine or
bromine.
25 - Biofilm:
a slippery coating of microorganisms that can develop
in poorly sanitized pools and spas.
26 - Brominator:
feeding devices used to introduce bromine into
pools or spas. Most automatic types can be plumbed inline. Others
are simple floating varieties. All are intended to make the application
of bromine easier and more consistent.
27 - Calcium Carbonate:
crystalline deposits (scale) that can form
on all under water surfaces, if the water is excessively high in calcium
hardness. High pH and high total alkalinity can worsen the problem.
28 - Oxidation:
the chemical reaction by which organic matter is
“burned” or destroyed, by the action of chlorine, bromine, ozone, hy-
drogen peroxide or non-chlorine shock. Oxidation may cause miner-
als such as iron, manganese and copper to form discoloring stains and
precipitates, if not treated properly.
29 - Ozonator:
a device for producing Ozone (O3), by either a UV
(ultraviolet) light source or by electrical arcing (corona discharge).
Used for oxidizing and sanitizing purposes in both pools and spas.
3
0 - Ozone (O3):
typically produced by an Ozonator installed in a pool
or spa. Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen (O2) and is a powerful
oxidizing agent. It is used to destroy organic waste and byproducts and
help in the control of algae and bacteria. Ozone is not a stand alone
sanitizer and requires the supplementation of chlorine, bromine,
minerals, or ionization.
31 - Soft Water:
is water that is low in calcium and magnesium
hardness. Such water can prove to be corrosive to masonry surfaces
and underwater metal parts. The calcium hardness level can be
raised, to the optimum range of 150-200 PPM, by the addition of
appropriate amounts of a calcium hardness increaser (calcium
hardness).
