We bought our house, with an in-ground vinyl pool, in April. Just FYI, we have softened water. We've been trying to get our pool clear for a couple weeks now. Didn't start immediately, due to heavy rains. Had a pool guy out, but decided to go to Leslie's with water sample. Bought over $400 worth of chemicals so far. Pool went from very green to cloudy, and started to clear slowly, but today I used the net again and found there's still algae at the bottom. Eww, yuck...gross!
Oh well, my compost pile will like it! 
There is a Polaris vacuum in the pool deck area, and also a vacuum pump there, which was snipped from the electrical supply near the pool pump, and removed, so we have nothing to hook the vacuum up to. So no vacuuming. Probably not the best way to go. Are there other choices for vacuums besides those that are attached to a (supposed to be) permanent pump, like this one?
Pool dimensions are 16'×32', with a variable depth that drops off sharply into the deep end. Somehow, we got a volume estimate of 27,000 gallons at Leslie's, but I think, by my calculations, that 19,000 to 20,000 gallons is more realistic, depending on how full the pool is. I finally realized, with help from a FB pool group, that the pool should be filled about halfway up the skimmer (please correct me if I'm wrong), so by that fill level, the shallow end is approx 3' deep for about 10' of the length of pool (16' wide, with 3 steps off to the side, as far as EYE can see
...side note, I didn't add the step area into my calculations for volume). The remaining 22' of the pool starts at approx 3'2" and goes to approx 8'8". These are my best guesstimates! 
Following is our pool chemistry, per Leslie's, and treatments, so far.
First test, on 06/06, FC=0.25, TC=0.25, pH=8.7, TA=8.7, CH=116, CA=5, Fe=0, Cu=0.1, phosphates=0, and TDS=800. Started treating on 06/16 due to rain not letting us alone long enough to start sooner. Added 4 lbs Green to Clean, then 4 lbs shock (Leslie's Power Powder Plus 73), 3 times, waiting 12 hours between each addition of shock, as instructed.
Second test, on 06/16, FC=1.49, TC=13.63, pH=8.7, TA=51, CH=128, CA=5, Fe=0, Cu=0.1, phosphates=263, and TDS=900. Treated that evening. I believe, with approx 20 lbs, give or take (need to measure weight for next time, finally found my food scale!
), baking soda (fresh from Walmart) and Leslie's Alkalinity Up (found in pool deck storage area, so unsure how fresh it is). The next day, added one gallon liquid muriatic acid, in 4 divided doses, 4 hours between treatments. The following day (evening) I added the equivalent of 6 lbs of shock, plus 19 fl. oz. Leslie's Ultra Bright Advanced water clarifier, waited one hour, and then added 6 lbs of Leslie's Fresh and Clear.
Third test, on 06/20 (Sunday), FC=0.19, TC=2.88, pH=7.1, TA=107, CH=145, CA=5, Fe=.1, Cu=0, phosphates=221, and TDS=1100. Monday night, treated with 9 lbs of shock and 13 fl. oz. Leslie's Ultra Bright Advanced water clarifier. Was expecting rain on Tuesday. It never came!! Today, added 27 lbs of Leslie's Hardness Plus.
Leslie's wanted us to bring another pool sample after adding the Hardness Plus. I may try tweaking the alkalinity and pH first, though, and maybe shock the system again. What are y'alls suggestions about what I can do from here on out, without spending bookoo more bucks? I'm planning to order a test kit and start testing my water myself. We're spending far more at Leslie's than we can really afford, so we've got to start cutting costs now. I've read up on the test kits and it looks like the Taylor K-2006 is the best one out there. Any thoughts?
Pictures inserted are in reverse chronological order. I didn't get a picture from after I basically stirred up the algae from the bottom. The last 2 were taken at the time we looked at the house, before purchase. It wasn't kept up afterwards, we're assuming from the time our negotiations began.
I appreciate any help given. Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to cover all bases as much as possible. Thank you!!
Oh well, my compost pile will like it! There is a Polaris vacuum in the pool deck area, and also a vacuum pump there, which was snipped from the electrical supply near the pool pump, and removed, so we have nothing to hook the vacuum up to. So no vacuuming. Probably not the best way to go. Are there other choices for vacuums besides those that are attached to a (supposed to be) permanent pump, like this one?
Pool dimensions are 16'×32', with a variable depth that drops off sharply into the deep end. Somehow, we got a volume estimate of 27,000 gallons at Leslie's, but I think, by my calculations, that 19,000 to 20,000 gallons is more realistic, depending on how full the pool is. I finally realized, with help from a FB pool group, that the pool should be filled about halfway up the skimmer (please correct me if I'm wrong), so by that fill level, the shallow end is approx 3' deep for about 10' of the length of pool (16' wide, with 3 steps off to the side, as far as EYE can see
...side note, I didn't add the step area into my calculations for volume). The remaining 22' of the pool starts at approx 3'2" and goes to approx 8'8". These are my best guesstimates! Following is our pool chemistry, per Leslie's, and treatments, so far.
First test, on 06/06, FC=0.25, TC=0.25, pH=8.7, TA=8.7, CH=116, CA=5, Fe=0, Cu=0.1, phosphates=0, and TDS=800. Started treating on 06/16 due to rain not letting us alone long enough to start sooner. Added 4 lbs Green to Clean, then 4 lbs shock (Leslie's Power Powder Plus 73), 3 times, waiting 12 hours between each addition of shock, as instructed.
Second test, on 06/16, FC=1.49, TC=13.63, pH=8.7, TA=51, CH=128, CA=5, Fe=0, Cu=0.1, phosphates=263, and TDS=900. Treated that evening. I believe, with approx 20 lbs, give or take (need to measure weight for next time, finally found my food scale!
), baking soda (fresh from Walmart) and Leslie's Alkalinity Up (found in pool deck storage area, so unsure how fresh it is). The next day, added one gallon liquid muriatic acid, in 4 divided doses, 4 hours between treatments. The following day (evening) I added the equivalent of 6 lbs of shock, plus 19 fl. oz. Leslie's Ultra Bright Advanced water clarifier, waited one hour, and then added 6 lbs of Leslie's Fresh and Clear.Third test, on 06/20 (Sunday), FC=0.19, TC=2.88, pH=7.1, TA=107, CH=145, CA=5, Fe=.1, Cu=0, phosphates=221, and TDS=1100. Monday night, treated with 9 lbs of shock and 13 fl. oz. Leslie's Ultra Bright Advanced water clarifier. Was expecting rain on Tuesday. It never came!! Today, added 27 lbs of Leslie's Hardness Plus.
Leslie's wanted us to bring another pool sample after adding the Hardness Plus. I may try tweaking the alkalinity and pH first, though, and maybe shock the system again. What are y'alls suggestions about what I can do from here on out, without spending bookoo more bucks? I'm planning to order a test kit and start testing my water myself. We're spending far more at Leslie's than we can really afford, so we've got to start cutting costs now. I've read up on the test kits and it looks like the Taylor K-2006 is the best one out there. Any thoughts?
Pictures inserted are in reverse chronological order. I didn't get a picture from after I basically stirred up the algae from the bottom. The last 2 were taken at the time we looked at the house, before purchase. It wasn't kept up afterwards, we're assuming from the time our negotiations began.
I appreciate any help given. Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to cover all bases as much as possible. Thank you!!
Well, Leslie's certainly got their money's worth from you, and as you learned the expensive way it did no good. Nothing they said or sold you will help - period. You do need a proper test kit, that's #1. While you could order a Taylor K-2006C (the C is important), I would recommend the TF-100 (link in my signature). Better value overall. 
Well that's the first thing we've ever heard that they got right!! 
