Swimming Pool Chemicals

Swimming Pool Chemicals

Algaecides (Click for a listing of Algaecides)

An algaecide is a chemical that aids in the killing of Algae in a swimming Pool. Besides a number of speciality algaecides the two most popular are copper based algaecide and Quat based algaecides.
Copper Algaecide quickly takes care of existing algae while providing protection from future algae growth eliminating algae and keeping your pool clean. Copper-based algaecides use copper to treat algae growth, and are most effective against mustard and green types of algae and are non-foaming. If used improperly staining of the pool surface can occur.
Quaternary Algaecides, “quat" or “poly quat" are quaternary ammonium compounds), are very effective at killing most types of pool algae contamination, including green, chlorine-resistant mustard and even black algae. These algaecides are safer to use than a copper based algaecide because they will not stain a swimming pool.

Alkalinity Increaser (Click for a listing of Alkalinity Increaser)

Alkalinity is a chemical compound known as Sodium Bicarbonate. When chlorine breaks down it releases an acid, the purpose of adding an alkalinity increaser is to absorb this acid and help stabilizer the pH in an acceptable range for swimming, equipment longevity and water balance. In most cases it will be difficult to lower the pH if the alkalinity is high. One pounds of Alkalinity increaser will raise totality alkalinity 10 ppm. Alkalinity is one factor in correctly balancing water.

Bromine (Click for a listing of Bromine)

Bromine is a sanitizer A sanitizer, for the purposes of pool and spa chemistry, is any chemical that kills or inactivates germs, viruses and bacteria in water. Bromine is the most popular sanitizer for spas, mainly because it has a better tolerance to the higher temperature of spa, producing less odor. When chlorine sanitze is an issue the use of bromine in swimming pools can be used as an alternative, the trade off are much higher costs for Bromine and unlike chlorine there is no stabilizer to protect the bromine from the suns rays.

Calcium Increaser (Click for a listing of Calcium Increaser)

Calcium Increaser is a chemical compound called Calcium Chloride, the purpose of adding calcium to a pool is to protect the pools surface. Adding 1-1/4 pounds of Hardness Plus to 10,000 gallons of water will raise the Calcium Hardness by 10 ppm. Calcium is one factor in correctly balancing water. Important: Some chlorine products contain calcium, over time using this form of chlorine will replenish the amount of calcium in a pool. Calcium Chloride when added to water releases heat, dissolve in first in a bucket and then add it slowly to the pool. Dumping it in the skimmer can damage or clog the skimmer.

Chlorine (Click for a listing of Chlorine Products)

Chlorine is a sanitizer. A sanitizer, for the purposes of pool and spa chemistry, is any chemical that kills or inactivates germs, viruses and bacteria in water. Chlorine comes in many forms, Including gas, liquid, powder and tablets. Once dissolved in water all act to kill bacteria and prevent algae growth. remember all forms of chlorine when broken down release acid. Some forms of chlorine when first added to the pool will increase the pH of the pool, this is especially true of liquid chlorine and some powered chlorines

Cyanuric Acid (Prevents Chlorine Loss)

Cyanuric acid is a chlorine stabilizer for pool water. Cyanuric acid is the backbone of Dichlor and Tri-Chlor chlorine products. Cyanuric acid when added to a swimming pool will inhibit the breakdown of chlorine due to the ultraviolet affects of the sun. Adding cyanuric acid to a pool will reduce the cost of maintain the pool. Prolonged use of Tri-Chlor or Dichlor tablets may lead to high levels of cyanuric acid in the pool. When adding cyanuric acid to a pool, it can be broadcasted over the pools surface, it very slow dissolving,If added to the pool skimmer, it should be done slowly, typically 1 cup per minute, if added to fast can easily clog the skimmer line.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth also known as D.E., DE, diatomite, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. Diatomaceous earth is used as a filtration aid. The powder is coated onto grids by adding the DE to the skimmer, water then is passed through this coating and dirt particles are trapped.

Clarifiers

Clarifies are added to the swimming pool water to aid the filter in clearing cloudy water faster than the filter would do so on its own, Clarifies helps prevents hazy water from recurring, improves filter efficiency by removing dirt particles and allows for swimming immediately after treatment. Before adding a clarifier,Check your pH as one cause of cloudy water is high pH.

Nature2
Nature2 is an alternate form of pool sanitizer - installed in over 300,000 pools and spas worldwide. The use of Nature2, greatly reduces the need for swimming pool chlorine. Minerals such as silver and copper have long been known for their sanitizing antimicrobial properties. With Nature2 cartridges, we bring that natural sanitization to your swimming pool. Nature2 is proven to allow you to reduce chlorine use up to 50% and is guaranteed to kill bacteria and control algae. Zodiac's Nature2 mineral sanitizing products for the pool and spa dramatically reduce the need for heavy doses of chlorine and provide an eco-friendly choice for pool and spa maintenance.

Other

Phosphate Removers

Phosphates (also denoted as PO4) are known nutrients that help increase plant growth rates such as in algae. Fetilizers used on lawns contain phospates, the purpose of which is to green up the lawn and make it look good. For your lawn this is great for the pool it is not so great. Phosphate Removers eliminate phosphates introduced into the pool from such sources pool chemicals, fertilizers, cleaners, and other pollutants. Enhances the performance of salt generators

pH Up, pH Down

pH is a measure of how acid or basic a liwuid such as water is. The pH scale is 0 to 14, A pH of 7 is neutral it is neither acidic (below 7) or basic above 7. Maintaining the proper pH for swimming pools is perhaps the most siginificant factor in balancing swiminng pool water. The ideal range for swimming pool water is 7.4-7.6, although 7.2 to 7.8 is generally acceptable. At a pH of 7.4-7.6 chlorine works most effectively, at lower pH's the chlorine is more active and at higher pH's it is less active. When the pH of the swimming pool water is high, Acid needs to be added to the swmimming pool to lower the pH if the pH is higher than the acceptable range. When the pH is low, a base must be added to the water to increase the pH. It is important to remember that it might be difficult to change the pH if the alkalinity of the pool is high, the purpose of the alkalinity in a swmiming pool is prevent pH bounce, therefore reducing the allkalinity might be necessary if the pH is high. If the ph is very low adding small amounts of soda ash will increase the pH, if the pH is only slighly lower than the acceptable range adding alkalinity increaser typically will increase the pH very slightly

Spa Chemicals

Spa chemicals are generally the same chemicals as pool chemicals in smaller sizes for the lower water volume of spas and Hot Tubs.

Marlig-Fix-A-Leak

Marlig Fix a leak is a swimming pool chemical in a class all by itself. It will find and stop leaks in pools and spas.

Stain & Scale Control

Stain and Scale Control, the purpose of this class of chemicals is to either reduce of elimate metals in the pool that can cause staining. When the pH of a pool is high scaling can occure the use of a scale control chemical will help reduce this issue.