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Pool and Spa Care
Glossary
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You can use this list of terms and definitions to understand how to
use products containing DuPont™ Oxone® pool and spa oxidizer as part
of your regular pool or spa care program. All entries marked with
an (N) are definitions developed by the NSPI (National Spa and Pool
Institute).
Alkalinity
Backwash
Bather load
Breakpoint chlorination
Bromine
Calcium hardness
Chemical test kit
Combined available chlorine (CAC) or chloramines
Free available chlorine (FAC)
Nonmicrobial contaminants
pH level
Potassium monopersulfate
Sanitizer
Skimmer
Superchlorination
Volume of water
Alkalinity
(also referred to as total alkalinity): a measure of the pH buffering
capacity of water. Alkalinity is generally expressed in terms of the
equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate in ppm or mg/l. In pool
or spa water, alkalinity should be 80–140 ppm. (N)
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Backwash:
the process of cleansing the filter medium and/or elements by the
reverse flow of water through the filter. (N)
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Bather load:
the number of persons in the pool/spa water at any given moment or
during any stated period of time. Bather load influences the amount
of chemicals required to clean the pool: more people = more waste
= more chemicals. (N)
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Breakpoint
chlorination: the addition of a sufficient amount of chlorine
to water to destroy the combined inorganic chlorine present. Normally,
the amount added is equal to ten times or more the combined chlorine
concentration. (N)
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Bromine (Br2): one of several
chemicals that yield hypobromous acid when added to water. (N)
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Calcium hardness: a measure
of the amount of calcium dissolved in water and expressed in ppm or
mg/l as calcium carbonate. The standard measure is 200-400 ppm. (N)
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Chemical test kit: a convenient
way to measure the quality of your pool or spa water. When you use
Oxone®, it is recommended that you measure with one of the following
kits, which are designed to eliminate the false high readings of combined
chlorine (CC) that potassium monopersulfate can cause:
Taylor
DPD-FAS Chlorine and Monopersulfate Tests (K-1518)
LaMotte Pool Manager
DPD Test Kit with MPS-OUT
Aquacheck MasterTech
Professional DPD Test Kit
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Combined
available chlorine (CAC) or chloramines: compounds formed when
free chlorine combines with nitrogen-containing compounds (for example,
perspiration and ammonia). These compounds can cause eye and skin
irritation, have strong objectionable chlorine-type odors and low
sanitizing capacity. (N)
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Free available
chlorine (FAC): that portion of the total chlorine that is
not combined chlorine and is available as a sanitizer. (N)
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Nonmicrobial
contaminants: organic substances that can promote bacterial
growth and turn your pool or spa water cloudy. They include urine,
fecal matter, perspiration, cosmetics, sunscreens, dust, dirt, pollen,
insects, grass clippings and plant debris.
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pH level: a
value used to express acidity of a substance. Expressed as a number
on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral; values less than 7.0
are acidic and values greater than 7.0 are basic. In pool and spa
water, the pH level should be in the range of 7.2–7.8, with 7.4–7.6
considered ideal. (N)
Potassium
monopersulfate (KHSO5): a solid oxidizer used to prevent
the buildup of contaminants in pool and spa water. (N)
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Sanitizer:
a substance, such as chlorine, bromine, calcium hypochlorite or dichloroisocyanurate,
that sanitizes pool and spa water, eliminating pathogens that can
be harmful to swimmers.
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Skimmer:
a device installed in the pool or spa that permits the removal of
floating debris and surface water to the filter. (N)
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Superchlorination:
the practice of adding a sufficient amount of a chlorinating compound
to reduce cloudy water, slime formation, musty odors, algae and bacteria
counts and/or improve the ability to maintain sanitizer residuals.
(N)
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Volume of
water: the total amount of water in your pool or spa. The volume
determines the correct amount of chemicals to use in pool care. To
calculate the volume, use this formula:
Length of the pool X width of the pool X average depth of the pool
X 7.5 = Total volume
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