FROG Water Care Experts Glossary of terms

Type of filter that uses sand to clean the water.

A general term for a substance used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria und algae and oxidize organic contaminants. Generic names include Bromine, Biguanide and Chlorine.

Mineral deposits that form on swim spa or surfaces und equipment due to excessive calcium in the water when the pH level is high. Scale may appear as gray, white or dark streaks on the acrylic, fiberglass surfaces. It may also appear as a hard crust around tile.

The extraneous or foreign matter that rises to the surface of the water and forms a layer or a film there. It can also be residue deposited on the tile or walls of the swim spa. Sources of scum include soap, oil, deodorant, hair spray, suntan lotions and others.

The solid material settled out from the water.

A chemical that bonds with metals so that they can't cause staining or discoloration. See also Chelating Agent.

An oxidizer that burns off the organic waste that causes cloudiness and algae. It's a generic term for a chemical used to oxidize organic waste.

The practice of adding a significant amount of an oxidizing chemical (usually non chlorine oxidizers, such as sodium persulfate or potassium peroxymonosulfate) to the water to control ammonia, nitrogen compounds or swimmer waste.

Soil particles having diameters between 0.004 and 0.062 millimeters. Sometimes they may be too small to be trapped by the circulation system. In those cases, a clarifier or an alum product may be needed.

A system that uses silver ions to kill bacteria in water

A chemical substance used in swim spas as an herbicide or algaecide. Mainly used for killing black algae.

The white, box-like compartment on the side of the swim spa that automatically skims the top few inches of water, removing debris and oily films. Contains a removable basket that needs to be periodically cleared of debris.

Part of a skimmer that adjusts automatically to small changes in water level to assure a continuous flow of water to the skimmer. The small floating "door" on the side of the skimmer that faces the water over which the welter flows on its way to the skimmer. The weir also prevents debris from floating back into the swim spa when the pump shuts off.

A manually controlled valve with two settings used to direct swim spa water flow.

A method of lowering Total Alkalinity by pouring pH decreaser in one concentrated spot and turning off the filter.

Water or a liquid containing a high concentration of suspended solids. Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) is usually added to the filter as a slurry by mixing a small amount of D.E. in a bucket of water and then pouring the slurry into the skimmer with the filter on.

See Sodium Carbonate.

Baking Soda or Bicarb. The alkaline salt compound used to raise Total Alkalinity. Not to be used for increasing pH Also called Bicarb or Bicarbonate of Soda.

Dry Acid also called pH Down. Used to decrease the pH and/or Total Alkalinity of water.

A salt of bromine used to establish a bromine "bank" in swim spa water prior to beginning the use of bromine tablets.

Soda Ash. Used to increase water’s pH. Also called pH Up.

Also called Alkalinity Up or pH Stabilizer. Used to raise Total Alkalinity.

Otherwise known as common household bleach

Active ingredient and chemical name of a non-chlorine shock treatment or non­chlorine oxidizer. Does not kill bacteria or algae but it will oxidize or control ammonia, nitrogen and swimmer waste. Does not increase chlorine or bromine levels the way superchlorination does, so water may be entered 75 minutes after addition. It will not reactivate bromine.

A chemical mixture of equal ports soda ash and sodium bicarbonate used to increase pH and Total Alkalinity in swim spa. It has a pH of 10.1.

A chemical used to neutralize or dechlorinate swim spa water.

A chemical used to neutralize or dechlorinate swim spa water.

Water low in calcium and magnesium mineral content (Total Hardness) usually less than 100 ppm. Also, water that has gone through a water softener. Swim spas should not be filled with soft water from a softener. Water with less than 100 ppm of Total Hardness should be increased to a minimum of 150 - 200 ppm using calcium chloride.

A cover that, when placed on the swim spa water's surface, increases the water temperature by absorption and transmission of solar radiation; reduces evaporation and prevents wind born debris from entering the water.

Accessory tubes through which water is warmed by the sun and returned to the swim spa.

Also called "tap" water. It is the water used to fill or refill the swim spa.

Chlorine that contains Cyanuric Acid (CYA) (CYA) to protect chlorine from the degrading UV rays in sunlight. Most common types are sodium dichlor and trichlor.

A discoloration or a colored deposit on the walls or bottom of a swim spa. Most often, stains are metals such as iron, copper and manganese. They may appear as green, gray, brown or black and may even discolor the water. Sometimes a sequestering or chelating agent will remove them. If not, usually an acid wash is necessary to remove them from the walls and bottom. The metals get into the water because the pH was too low, or someone has added u low-pH chemical directly into the circulation system. Stains are sometimes confused with scale.

Also called a sequestering or chelating agent. A chemical that will combine with dissolved metals in the water to prevent the metals from coming out of solution (precipitating or causing stains). May also be a chemical that removes dissolved metals from water.

A basket in front of the pump that keeps fine debris from reaching the pump's impeller area. Must be cleaned periodically. Sometimes called a "hair and lint trap."

Adding sanitizers in larger amounts than normal (5 - l0X normal dosage) to burn out organics, chloramines, etc. See Shock.

A plastic, flat mesh net skimmer used to scoop up and remove floating debris.

A soluble chemical compound that reduces the surface tension between two liquids. It is used in many detergents and soapy cleaning compounds.

Insoluble solid particles that either float on the surface or are in suspension in the water, causing turbidity, or a cloudy condition. They may be held in suspension by agitation or flow. They may be removed by filtration, but if the particles are too small, they may not be trapped by the filter. In these cases, a clarifier or alum may be needed to remove them.