Welcome jlawlor! You sound frustrated and I completely understand why! The first step to easing that frustration is to stay out of the pool stores. Their advice obviously hasn't worked so far so why continue? Stop adding chemicals in an attempt to "shock" it into submission. You need good, sound advice that will actually clear your pool. The second step is just as woodyp advised. You need a good test kit. See the link in my signature for the most recommended kit around here. I know it's a little pricey but consider it an investment into finally taking control of your own pool! The TF-100 is only available online so order now because it takes a few days to arrive. While you wait for your kit to arrive, you have summer school!
Now, I'm gonna admit: I copy and pasted these handy links from one of my previous post because it's quite a bit to type out. However, the information is very applicable in your situation as well.
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Pool School is the beginning of all things pool. The TroubleFree method teaches you what is in your pool, how each element intertwines with the others, and how to manipulate those levels to keep a clear, sparkling, and sanitized pool
without costly pool store chemicals.
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TFP dictionary has some handy terms and explanations of all things pool to help you speak the language.
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ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry are the things you test for using your new kit.
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The Chlorine/CYA relationship chart is a very important concept to master. The amount of free chlorine is determined by the type of pool you have in conjunction with the amount of CYA you have. The higher the CYA, the higher your constant minumum free chlorine level should be.
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This explains that all forms of chlorine are not created equal. Yes, chlorine is chlorine is chlorine. It will sanitize your pool. It's the delivery mode that is important in order to keep things balanced.
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Pool Math is the greatest invention ever! At the top of each page is a direct link to Pool Math. Enter your pool's information and the calculator will tell you how much of everything you need to add to achieve desired levels. At the bottom of Pool Math, you will also find a handy tool that will simply tell you the effects of adding various chemicals.
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Recommended levels is a chart that tells you how much of each thing you should have for your pool type. Developed by someone much smarter than myself but I do use it as my "pool bible."
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Should you have a water clarity problem or chemical balance problem or visible algae, this SLAM article will be very helpful for you. This is what you will be doing soon! You asked when a SLAM was over. Well, a SLAM is finished when these 3 things happen at the same time: 1. your water is clear as glass 2. you have no CC (see woody's post) AND 3. your over night chlorine loss test (OCLT) is 1 ppm or less. And understand that a SLAM is not synonymous with "shock." A SLAM is a process with a beginning and end - it may take hours to days to complete. You start by hitting algae hard and frequently until it's totally (not just visibly) gone so that it doesn't come back!
So when you get your kit, run a set of numbers and post them back to this thread. There are plenty of people willing to help. All they ask is that you educate yourself as much as possible by searching and reading the forums. Oh, and some information about your general location and pool specifics added to your signature is very helpful as some advice will be locale specific. You can find out how to do that here:
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Update me! Welcome and good luck!