Cal Spas LES - Water Quality Terms and Definitions

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4.1 Water Quality Terms and Definitions4.1 Water Quality Terms and Definitions
The following chemical terms are used in this section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better
understand clear water maintenance. Words in bold type are defined in this table.
Bromine /
Bromamines
Bromine is an eicient sanitizer chemical for spas. When used as a sanitizer, bromine
forms compounds called bromamines. Bromine can be added to the spa or automatically
generated. See page 33 for discussion on sanitizers.
Bromamines are compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body
oils, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines, bromamines have no pungent odor and are
eective sanitizers.
Chlorine /
Chloramines
Chlorine is an eicient sanitizing chemical for spas. We recommend using sodium dichlor-
type granulated chlorine because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral. When used as
a sanitizer, chlorine forms compounds called chloramines. See page 33 for discussion on
sanitizers.
Chloramines are compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body
oils, perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause eye irritation as well as having a strong odor.
Unlike bromamines, chloramines are weaker, slower sanitizers. To remove chloramines,
see the description of shock below.
Calcium
Hardness
Abbreviated as CH. Calcium hardness is a measure of the total amount of dissolved
calcium in the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spa’s water
and is why so water is not recommended. The low CH level can cause corrosion to
the equipment and can cause staining of the spa shell. See page 32 for testing for and
balancing calcium hardness.
Corrosion
The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally,
corrosion is caused by low pH or by water with levels of TA, CH, pH or sanitizer which are
outside the recommended ranges.
Dichlor
Also called sodium dichlor. It is a type of chlorine and is frequently used when shocking
the water. An eective chlorine-based powdered oxidizer and sanitizer. Dichlor works by
oxidizing waste product in the water such as bromamines and chloramines and causing
them to burn o.
Monopersulphate
or MPS
Frequently used when shocking the water. An eective non-chlorine-based powdered
oxidizer that works well with both chlorine and bromine. It works by oxidizing waste
product in the water such as bromamines and chloramines and causing them to burn o.
Oxidizer
Shocking the water with an oxidizing chemical prevents the buildup of contaminants,
maximizes sanitizer eiciency, minimizes combined chlorine and improves water clarity.
Ozone
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which is produced in nature and artificially. Ozone
forms no by-products of chloramines (ozone actually oxidizes chloramines) and will not
alter the water’s pH.
pH
The pH level is the measure of the balance between acidity and alkalinity. Low pH causes
the water to be too acid, which will cause corrosion, whereas high pH causes the water to
be too alkaline, which will cause scaling. See page 33 for testing for and balancing pH.
ppm
The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement of chemical
concentration in water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per liter).
Sanitizer
Sanitizer is a chemical added to the water to kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water
clean. The two sanitizers we recommend are chlorine and bromine. See page 33 for
discussion of sanitation.