Pool Glossary – Definition of every term
Pool automation – a system of sensors and controllers that measures water parameters and manages equipment automatically.
Algaecide (preventive / shock) – a chemical used to prevent algae growth or to eliminate it quickly.
Aluminum (Al) – a residual element from using coagulants; excess can cause water cloudiness.
Ammonium / Ammonia (NH₄/NH₃) – compounds that enter water from organic matter; react with chlorine to form chloramines (causing odor and irritation).
Sodium bisulfate – a reagent used to lower pH.
Biofilm – a thin layer of microorganisms that can form on walls and inside pipes, protecting bacteria from chlorine.
Hydraulic resistance – resistance to water flow in the system (pipes, filter), affecting circulation efficiency.
Sodium hypochlorite – liquid chlorine used for water disinfection.
Disinfection – the process of destroying bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water.
Dichlor – “fast” chlorine in granules for emergency water disinfection.
Dosing – the process of adding chemicals to water (manually or automatically) to maintain balance.
Dosing station – an automatic system with sensors that measures water parameters and injects the necessary chemicals to maintain balance.
Iron – a metal in water that can cause a reddish tint and stains on pool surfaces.
Incubation period – the time microorganisms need to multiply in water to reach a dangerous level.
Calcium hardness – a measure of dissolved calcium salts in water.
Coagulant – a chemical that binds tiny particles into larger flocs so the filter can catch them.
Coagulation – the process of combining small particles into larger ones to be captured by the filter.
Manometer – a device that measures pressure in the system.
Copper – a metal that can color water greenish and leave stains.
Multiport valve – a lever on the filter to switch between operating modes.
Urea – organic contamination entering water from the human body; reacts with chlorine to create unpleasant odors.
Nitrates – cumulative contaminants that promote algae growth.
Backwash – a filter cleaning mode using reverse water flow.
Check valve – allows water to flow only in one direction, preventing backflow.
Total alkalinity – the water’s ability to resist sudden pH changes.
Total chlorine – the sum of free and combined chlorine in water.
Oxidation – the chemical process of breaking down organic contaminants.
Overflow channel – a trough around the pool perimeter that collects excess water.
Sand media (quartz sand) – a filtering material that traps contaminants.
Pre-filter – a basket inside the pump to catch large debris.
Expansion tank – a container for water from the overflow channel before filtration.
Free chlorine – the active form of chlorine that kills bacteria.
Combined chlorine – chlorine that has reacted with contaminants (chloramines).
Skimmer – a device that draws water from the pool surface.
Soda (sodium bicarbonate) – used to raise total alkalinity.
Salt pool – a pool where chlorine is produced automatically from salt.
Stabilizer – protects chlorine from degradation by UV light.
Glass media (AFM) – an alternative to sand with higher filtration efficiency.
Sulfates – dissolved salts that accumulate in water and may affect equipment.
Breakpoint – the point at which chlorine is sufficient to destroy chloramines.
Trichlor – “slow” chlorine for long-term disinfection.
Turbidity – a measurement of water clarity and suspended particles.
Filtration – the process of cleaning water through a filter.
Flocculation – the process of forming flocs to remove contaminants.
Return nozzle – a device that returns filtered water to the pool.
Phosphates – substances that promote algae growth.
Chlorinator (salt electrolysis) – a device for generating chlorine from salt.
Chloramines – combined chlorine, causing odor and irritation.
Circulation – the movement of water through the filtration system.
Electrical conductivity – a measure of dissolved salts in water.
ORP (Redox) – a measure of water’s oxidative capacity and disinfection efficiency.
pH – the measure of water’s acid-base balance.
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) – the total amount of dissolved substances in water.