Swimming Pool Terms Glossary
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Neutralizer A chemical solution used to make chlorine or bromine harmless. Used in test kits to counteract the bleaching effect of the chlorine or bromine in order to increase the accuracy of pool water tests. Sold as chlorine and bromine neutralizer, it is used to destroy excessive amounts of chlorine or bromine so the high levels will not affect swimmers. The most common ones are sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite Leslie’s Chlor Neutralizer), sodium metabisulfite, hydrogen peroxide, and vitamin C.
Niche The housing built into the wall of a pool or spa to accommodate a light fixture.
Nitrates An oxidized ion of nitrogen. The presence of nitrates indicates the final stages of the end of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrates can be checked with a nitrite or nitrate test kit. The level should not exceed 10 ppm. Nitrate causes algae to bloom and disables free available chlorine. Nitrites are often reduced to nitrates in pool water by bacteria and algae. Humans, rain bringing in smog and NOx, bird droppings and fertilizer run off are the most common sources. They are not oxidizable and are not destroyed by Superchlorination or non-chlorine oxidizers. Draining and refilling is the only practical way to lower them. Keeping free chlorine in the water at all times destroys the precursors to nitrate formation.
Nitrites Nitrites can become nitrates in pool and spa water. They disable chlorine and can cause algae to bloom. The level can be checked with a nitrate/nitrite test kit or strip. Nitrites can be oxidized by Superchlorination.
Nitrogen A gaseous element (molecular formula N2) that constitutes 78 percent of our atmosphere. Causes algae to bloom and disables chlorine. It is brought into the water each time it rains. Maintaining proper chlorine levels will prevent nitrogen from becoming a problem. Superchlorination will remove nitrogen and its related compounds.
Non-Chlorine Shock A term given to a class of chemical compounds that are used to oxidize or shock the water (destroy ammonia, nitrogen and swimmer waste). They contain no chlorine or bromine and do not kill living organisms. Swimmers may re-enter the water in only 15 minutes after adding a non-chlorine shock. Examples are monopersulfates, hydrogen peroxide and percarbonates.
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