ALGAE
​An aquatic plant that grows rapidly in pool water when a combination of warm water temperature and lack of chlorine or other sanitizing agents exists.
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​ALGAECIDE
​A chemical used to kill existing algae and/or prevent algae from forming.
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​ALKALINITY
​A measure of the alkalis present in pool water. Alkalinity directly effects the pH level of pool water. The proper range for Alkalinity is 80 - 120 ppm (parts per million)
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​CHLORINE
​The most commonly used sanitizing agent for swimming pool water. The correct chlorine level is 1.0 - 3.0 ppm.
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​COMBINED CHLORINE
​A weak, ineffective form of chlorine. It is formed when chlorine oxidizes nitrogen compounds such as urine, perspiration, fertilizers, etc.
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​CONDITIONER & STABILIZER
​A chemical which prolongs the life of chlorine by preventing the sun from burning it off before it has done its job.
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​FREE CHLORINE
​The amount of chlorine that is available to kill algae, bacteria, and other contaminants.
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​HARDNESS
​The amount of calcium and magnesium in the water. High levels of hardness cause scaling. Low levels of hardness are very corrosive. The proper range for water hardness is  250 ppm. to 500 ppm.
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​MINERAL REMOVER
​Designed to clear discoloration in water caused by the oxidation of iron, copper, and other minerals.
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​OZONE
O3 mis active oxygen, one of natures basic elements. Ozone is superior to traditional sanitizers. It kills all known bacteria and viruses in pool water.
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​OXIDIZER
A shocking agent that removes built up contaminants and chloramines.
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​pH
A scale (0-16) used to measure the balance between acids and alkalis (bases). The ideal range is 7.2 - 7.6.
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​SHOCKING
​The routine burning out of contaminants in your pool water.
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​WATER CLARIFIER
​A concentrated chemical containing a coagulant or flocculant to remove suspended particles from pool water.