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Acid
Chemicals such as sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid used to lower pH or alkalinity.

Algae
Microscopic aquatic plant life which can grow on spa surfaces or float in the water. Although harmless to bathers, algae discolors the water and indicates improper sanitization.

 

Algaecide
A chemical used to kill algae and prevent the re-growth.

Alkalinity
See Total Alkalinity.

Bacteria
Microscopic organisms continuously entering the water via bathers, airborne dust, etc. Without proper sanitization hot tubs and spas are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, many of which can cause disease or infection.

Balanced Water
Water that is neither corrosive nor scale forming. Water with the proper relationships of pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness is said to be balanced.

Base
A chemical which raises pH and/or alkalinity when added to the water.

Bather Load
The number of individuals using a pool or spa in a 24 hour period. This is the primary source of bacterial and organic contamination.

Break Point Chlorination
The process of shocking the water with significant quantities of chlorine to oxidize all contaminants and organic wastes and leave all remaining chlorine as free chlorine.

Brominator
A floating device which holds bromine tablets and dispenses a metered amount of bromine sanitizer into the spa water.

Bromine
The preferred sanitizing agent for hot tub spas that kills bacteria and algae. The tablet form of this product is dispensed using a floating brominator. The granular form is added upon spa startup (initial filling) to establish an immediate bromine reserve. Bromine can not be effectively stabilised against sunlight, so is not normally used outdoors. Bromine is more stable than chlorine at high temperatures, so it is often used in hot tubs.

Buffer
A chemical that resists pH change in spa water, such as sodium bicarbonate.

Calcium Hardness
A measure of the amount of calcium dissolved in water. Water with low hardness can lead to corrosion of metal parts. Total Hardness Test Kits are available for checking hardness levels.

Calcium Hypochlorite
Cal Hypo
A slow dissolving unstabilised chlorine in powder or granular form. It has minimal impact on pH but it will raise calcium hardness with continued use. Suitable for normal sanitation or shocking and is the most common form of chlorine sold as "Shock". It can cloud your water if your TA is high and it is recommended to premix it in a bucket of water before adding to your pool. Relatively inexpensive. It is sold in different strengths with 48% and 65% being the most common.

Chitin
A naturally occurring polymer (pronounced KY-tin) found in crab and lobster shells

Chloramines
Combined Chlorine
Chlorine ammonia compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic contaminates in the water. Chloramines are not effective as sanitizers and are responsible for eye and skin irritation as well as b chlorine odours.

Chlorine
A sanitizing agent that kills bacteria and algae.

Corrosion
The etching away of metal fixtures and pump seals due to improperly balanced water.

Cover Protectant
A special formulation for vinyl spa covers which prevents deterioration caused by sunlight and weather.

Cover Removal Device
A device to aid in the removal, storage and reinstallation of insulated spa covers.

Disinfect
To kill and inhibit growth of harmful microorganisms spa water through the use of a sanitizer such as chlorine or bromine.

Dry Acid
A granular chemical, sodium bisulfate used to lower the pH and/or total alkalinity.

Enzymes
Biodegradable proteins which break-down oils, films and digest scum in spa water.

Filter Media
A pleated, porous synthetic fabric in filter cartridges, used to trap foreign matter. Filter cartridges must be cleaned regularly with filter cleaning compounds to maintain spa water quality.

Flocculent
A compound which clarifies of "flocs" spa water by gathering small contaminant particles into larger globules, which then can be easily trapped in the filtering system.

Free Chlorine
The amount of chlorine available to kill bacteria or algae.

Hard Water
(See Calcium Hardness).

Nature2
An alternative proprietary spa sanitizing system which does not require the addition of bromine or chlorine.

Non Chlorine Shock
An oxygen-based shocking compound, potassium peroxymonosulfate, Non-chlorine shock is fast dissolving so it allows hot tub use just 15 minutes after application (see Shock).

Organic Wastes
Wastes such as body oils, perspiration and sun tan residues which bathers introduce into the spa. Most organic wastes will not filter out and must be broken-down by shocking with an oxidizer.

OTO
A test reagent used to test bromine and chlorine in pool and spa water in liquid test kits.

Oxidizing
The process of breaking down organic wastes by the addition of a shocking compound to the spa water.

pH
A scale of the relative acidity/alkalinity of water. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being the neutral midpoint. A pH reading of less than 7 indicates water which is on the acid side of the scale. A pH of more than 7 is on the basic (alkaline) side. In spas, the acceptable range is between 7.2 and 7.8.

pH Decreaser
An acidic chemical used to lower pH or alkalinity.

pH Hold
A product which locks the pH of spa water into perfect balance for up to 3 months or until the next water change. After setting initial pH, use of this product eliminates the need for continual pH adjustment.

pH Increaser
A base compound used to raise pH.

pH Meter
A hand-held electronic device for instantly measuring the relative pH of spa water without the need for test strips or reagent solutions.

Phenol Red
Chemical reagent used for testing pH in the range of 6.8 - 8.4. Found in liquid test kits.

PPM
Parts per million. (Example: 1 cent in $10,000 = 1 PPM).

Sanitizer
A compound such as bromine or chlorine used to kill microorganisms in spa water.

Scale
Calcium crust or buildup caused by unbalanced water. These mineral deposits forms on spa surfaces and clog filters, heaters and pumps. The regular use of stain prevention chemicals can prevent scale formation.

Scale & Stain Preventer
A product which prevents the formation of calcium scale and stains on spa fittings caused from copper and iron plumbing (Metal Gon).

Scum Digester
An enzyme product which breaks down body oils, soap film and lotion residues in spa water.

Shock
Addition of an oxidizer or superchlorinator to break-down the organic contaminates on which bacteria feed.

Soda Ash
Common term for sodium carbonate which is used to raise pH of spa water.

Sodium Bicarbonate
Commonly used to increase pH and total alkalinity of spa water.

Sodium Bisulfate
Also known as dry acid, the chemical used to lower pH and total alkalinity of spa water.

Soft Water
Water with very low levels of dissolved calcium. Can be corrected with calcium hardness increaser.

Spa Fragrance
Special perfumes designed to enhance the hot tub experience and overcome chemical odors. These are designed for spas, and will not alter water balance or clog filters.

Superchlorination
Application of large shock dosages of chlorine to destroy buildup of organic contaminates in water. The preferred alternative is to use a non-chlorine shock .

Test Kit
A set of chemical solutions and color references for testing pH, total alkalinity and sanitizer levels of spa water.

Test Strips
Easy-to-use dip strips for measuring the pH, total alkalinity and sanitizer levels of spa water. Strips are also available for testing water hardness levels.

Total Alkalinity (TA)
The measure in PPM of all the dissolved base/alkaline material in the water. The acid-neutralizing capacity of water which indicates its buffering ability, or resistance to fluctuations in pH.