Making Stabilized Chlorine
Cyanuric acid is a white, crystalline powder commonly used in the swimming pool industry as a stabilizer. It helps slow chlorine decomposition in sunlight, reducing the amount of chlorine needed…
Iron Bacteria
Swimming Pool Iron Bacteria - The Orange Sludge! Iron bacteria are commonly found in well water and can pose a health hazard in swimming pools. These bacteria are responsible for…
Chelating agents and Sequestering agents
the secrets behind chelating agents and sequestering agents. Remember, the dance between metals and your pool's chemistry is a delicate one.
The Brain-Eating Amoeba
The Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) is a single-celled amoeba that can cause a rare and devastating brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). While it is relatively uncommon, cases of…
Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide, or ammonia water, is a common chemical in swimming pool care. It is a colorless solution of ammonia gas in water and has a pungent odor. It is…
Carbonate Alkalinity
You are probably familiar with the effect of cyanuric acid on the effectiveness of chlorine. Or, at least, the myth of chlorine lock. Regardless, we agree that the subject gets…
Plaster, Fiberglass, & Vinyl Pool Surface Fails
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to present at a conference. This one the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) had contracted with me to teach a Certified Pool…
How Phosphate Removers work
I'm continuing with the specialty chemical thing. Last week we talked about how enzymes work. This time it's how phosphate removers work. Sadly, this is not something that everyone has…
How enzymes work
If you've been following along, I'm sure you've noticed that I've been spending a lot of time talking about specialty chemicals lately. That's because the availability of the critical disinfectants…
Langelier Saturation Index Inaccuracies
The Langelier Saturation Index is the basis of swimming pool water chemistry. A simple mathematical formula determines whether the water is in balance (neither corrosive nor scale forming). Realistically, not…
