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L I M I N I O I P I Q I R I S I Sta I T I U I V I Vol I W I Z
CYANURIC
ACID: A granular chemical
added to the pool water which provides
a shield to chlorine for protection
from UV radiation, which disrupts
the molecule, destroying its sanitizing
ability.
DIATOMACEOUS
EARTH: The filtering medium
of the DE filter, this dry powder is
the fossilized remains of the ancient
plankton; diatom.
DIATOMACEOUS
EARTH FILTER: A filter tank
containing fabric covered grids which
hold the DE powder up against the flow
of the water.
DICHLORO-S-TRIAZINETRIONE: a
chemical compound. It is an oxidizer, bacteriocide,
algicide, and cleaning agent that reacts
with water to form hypochlorous acid, which
is related to bleach.
DISINFECTANT: Chemicals
or processes which work to destroy vegetative
forms of microorganisms and other contaminants. Examples
are chlorine, bromine, Soft-Swim, and ionizers;
also included are copper and silver algaecides.
DIRECTIONS: What
you should read before using any chemicals.
DIRT
DEMAND: The demand that your
pool has for dirt. This level is
inversely proportional to available time
for cleaning. If you remove the dirt
from the pool, you have created a dirt
deficit, and the pool will actually suck
dirt out of the air to maintain its dirt
demand.
DIVERTER VALVE: Used in
a twin port skimmer, a diverter allows
the operator to manipulate the amount
of flow from the main drain and skimmer
to the pump.
DPD: A
method of testing for chlorine levels
in the pool water. Unlike OTO,
DPD testing allows determination of total
and free available chlorine levels which
through subtraction gives us combined
levels.
DRAIN: Also called the "main
drain," this plumbing fitting
is the start of one suction line to
the pump and is usually situated at
or near the center bottom of the pool.
DRY
ACID: Sodium bisulfate, a granular
form of acid used to lower pH and alkalinity
in the water. It is safer and less
caustic than muriatic acid. Usually
available as a "pH decreaser."
EFFICACY: The
power to produce an effect. Chlorine's
efficacy is affected by many factors,
including the sun, water balance, and
the water's chlorine demand.
EFFLUENT: The
water that flows out of the pump on
its way through the filter, heating,
treating equipment,
and then returning to the pool. Also
known as the pressure side.
ELBOW: A 90 or 45 degree
plumbing fitting. Used where your
pipes take a turn
electrolysis: A
method of separating chemically bonded
elements and compounds by passing an
electric current through them.
ENZYMES: Used
in swimming pool formulations designed
to break down and digest oils in a pool
or spa similar to the way enzymes are
used in oil spill clean-up efforts.
FILL
WATER: Used in filling or
adding to the water level. Whether
from the hose or from a well, your
fill water brings its own chemical
make up and water balance (or lack
thereof).
FILTER: A device used to remove particles suspended
in the water by pumping water through a porous substance or material.
FILTER ELEMENT: A
device inside a filter tank designed to entrap solids and direct
water through a manifold system to exit the filter.
Cartridge filter elements and DE filter
grids are two examples.
FILTER MEDIUM: A finely
graded material such as sand, diatomaceous
earth, polyester fabric, or anthracite
coal that removes suspended particles
from water passing through it.
FILTER PUMP: The device that pulls water from the pool
and pushes it through the filter on its way back to the pool.
FILTRATION RATE: The rate of water pumped through a
filter, in gallons per minute (gpm).
FILM-X: A
compound of citric acid used in cleaning plaster and other pool areas.
Safe replacement for muriatic acid.
FOAMING: A
term used to describe surface foam on your water, esp. in spas/hot
tubs. Foaming is
caused by high TDS levels working in combination with soft water
and oils. Certain low grade algaecides can foam when added to pool
or spa. Use enzymes for foam control.
FLOCCULENT: Essentially
the same as a coagulant, this chemical
(such as alum) is used to combined suspended
alkaline material and/or algae into a heavy
gel, which sinks to the bottom for vacuuming
to waste. |
