Where do I start?

The Hunts

New member
May 5, 2025
2
Marion, Ohio
Pool Size
23000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Opened 18x36 chlorine pool with lots of algae. Treated with 6 bags of shock. Water is no longer green, but pretty cloudy. Can see shallow and deep end bottom, but looks milky. My question is, what do I treat first? Dumping and refilling is not an option, we have very hard well water. Thank you for any suggestions.
Free chlorine 0.8
Total chlorine 8.9
CYA 2
PH 8.1
 
Hi and welcome!

How are you testing your water? I'm guessing based on those numbers it's at pool store. At TFP, the advice and knowledge relies on your own test results from a solid test kit and not pool store testing and potions.
I strongly recommend you read through Pool School and invest in your own test kit if you don't already have one and those are pool store numbers.

Cloudy water is a sign of algae and you'd want to complete the SLAM process which requires your own test kit.
Also, I would recommend you download the PoolMath app to keep track of your chemicals and testing.

BUT until you receive a test kit and run your own numbers, add 5 PPM of liquid chlorine every day, brush daily (a few times a day if you can), keep the filter going and vacuum out dead algae.
The PoolMath app will help you determine how much liquid chlorine you would need to get to 5PPM based on your pool volume.
We recommend using liquid chlorine over powered shock - see How to Chlorinate Your Pool. Most people can find liquid chlorine at their local Walmart, Home Depot, Ocean State Job Lot and Mendards (for those who have those stores).