Aeration:

The process of mixing air and water. In a spa this can happen two ways:
1) Using an Air Blower to force air into an air channel or through the spa jets.
2) With Venturi Air Controls which allow air to be pulled into and mixed with the water in the spa jet.

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Available Chlorine:

The amount of total chlorine power (ability to kill bacteria) a chlorinating product contains. Also referred to as Free Available Chlorine in the water.

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Bacteria:

Single-celled microscopic organisms. Pathogenic bacteria can cause infections, disease and bather irritation. Sanitizers are used to kill bacteria in pool & spa water.

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Balanced Water:

Pool or spa water that has a proper pH and the appropriate mineral content to prevent corrosion and scaling.

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Bromine:

A halogen element; brominated compounds provide an alternative sanitizer for pools; widely used in spas and indoor pools.

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Buffer:

Chemicals that work to prevent fluctuations in pH. Spa Sentry provides a buffer for your spa water.

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Chelant:

Compound that prevents metals from dropping out of solution and staining spa surfaces. SpaGuard Stain and Scale Control is an excellent chelant.

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Coagulant:

Product that gathers small particles together for better filter efficiency and for easy vacuum removal. SpaGuard Water Clarifier is an example of an outstanding coagulant.

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Corrosion:

Etching, pitting and other destructive erosion of the spa surfaces and equipment due to low pH or chemical imbalance.

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Filter Element:

A device (cartridge) within a filter housing designed to remove suspended debris from the water.

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Make-Up Water:

Fresh water used to fill the spa. Also called Source Water.

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Organic Matter:

Contaminants derived from living organisms. Includes leaves, cosmetics, urine, perspiration, bugs, animals, and other bather/environmental debris. Organic compounds contain carbon.

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Oxidation:

A chemical process for removing organic compounds from the water.

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Ozone:

A gaseous molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen (03). In a spa, ozone generators are used to oxidize contaminants. It's instability and short life in the water require that it be used only in conjuction with an EPA registered sanitizer.

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pH:

A measurement that indicates the acidic or basic nature of a solution. Measured on a scale from O to 14 the ideal pH for spa water is 7.4 to 7.6. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is basic.

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ppm:

Parts Per Million. A unit of measurement used in measuring chemical application. It indicates the amount, by weight, of a chemical in relation to one million parts, by weight of water.

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Psi:

Pounds per square inch. The unit by which filter pressure is measured on a pressure gauge. Psi increase as the filter gets dirtier.

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Pump:

A motor powered device that creates pressure and water flow by spinning an impeller to provide circulation through the filter and heater Some spas combine a pump for filtration/heating with an additional "therapy pump."

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Saturation Index (SI):

A numeric value indicating whether water is scale forming or corrosive. It factors in pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and water temperature. Ideal range is between -.3 and +.3. (Note: Spas using SpaGuard Spa Sentry are not intended to be balanced by the SI.)

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Scale:

Mineral deposits that form on spa surfaces and equipment due to excessive calcium in the water. Scale is more likely to form in heated water, especially on the heater element or heat exchanger, if proper water balance is not maintained.

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Shock Treatment:

The addition of significant amounts of chlorinating compounds (or other oxidizing compound) for the destruction of nitrogenous and other organic contaminants.

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Skimmer:

A device in the spa that continuously pulls the surface water and floating debris from the spa to be removed by the filter. OR a hand skimmer net that can be used manually to "dip" floating debris from the water.

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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):

A measure of the amount of dissolved matter in the water. High TDS (1,500 ppm and higher) can interfere with the sanitizer's ability to combat bacteria growth.