What a damn hassle. My levels have been consistently good, but over the past week, the pool has turned a slight green. Threw algaecide in there last night, vacuumed this morning, and then put a half gallon of bleach to get my FC levels up to 4. Filter just turned off (on a timer) and now it's cloudy.
Anyone here have a pool that knows what to do? How long do you run your filter each day? I have mine running three hours a day, which based on online recommendations, is good for the size of my pool and how many gallons it is. Other than hiring a pool guy that will try to fuck my wife, how do I get this pool clear again? 
I don't have a pool. But, I work in a pool and spa store, and I know what to do.
Where do you live? Take a water sample to a pinch-a-penny if you have them near you. They'll test the water and tell you the amounts of what chemicals you'll need. 
A half gallon of bleach?!? How big is your pool? In my pool, I keep the free chlorine at 2-4 ppm, and at 4-5 ppm in my hot tub. I use powdered chlorinator that calls for 1 teaspoon per 500 gallons. I run my filter for at least 6 hours every time I add chlorine.
IronHands - A half gallon of bleach?!? How big is your pool? In my pool, I keep the free chlorine at 2-4 ppm, and at 4-5 ppm in my hot tub. I use powdered chlorinator that calls for 1 teaspoon per 500 gallons. I run my filter for at least 6 hours every time I add chlorine.18 ft diameter by 4 ft, although that's to the top, so the water is actually filled only to around 3.5 ft high. I used the pool calculator website and it said based on those dimensions, my pool is 6,700 gallons. My chlorine today was less than 1, so adding a little less than half to the pool should bring it to 4 based on that website.
I tested my levels this morning before I vacuumed the algae, and everything was in the ok range with the exception of the chlorine. This is my first time taking care of a pool, so my experience is limited.
We just hire a pool guy to clean our pool weekly. Costs 40$a month and he comes once a week
things to see people to do - We just hire a pool guy to clean our pool weekly. Costs 40$a month and he comes once a weekTwice if you include in your wife!
Fuck the pool guy while he fucks your wife. And then jump in the pool.
things to see people to do - We just hire a pool guy to clean our pool weekly. Costs 40$a month and he comes once a weekSame here. I used to clean the pool myself and I was exactly like the op. Constantly having to check levels and if you slip up even once, it turns green pretty fast especially in summer. Then it's a total bitch to turn it back and the algaecide chemicals are expensive.
So I now have a service do it for the last 4-5 years. Has never turned green. I pay $70 (I'm in L.A.) and they provide all the chemicals of course.
Mine is cloudier than willie nelsons tour bus. Dropped a bunch of algaeicide and water clarifier, but not worky.
MrFluffyHippo -Lol! VUthings to see people to do - We just hire a pool guy to clean our pool weekly. Costs 40$a month and he comes once a weekTwice if you include in your wife!
Another plus is that I don't have to keep dangerous chemicals in my backyard. I have a 7 year old son and it would be very dangerous to have acid and chlorine in bottles in the back.
beatbum - Another plus is that I don't have to keep dangerous chemicals in my backyard. I have a 7 year old son and it would be very dangerous to have acid and chlorine in bottles in the back.I honestly hate chemicals the most out of anything pool related. I try to avoid even using bleach to clean, so swimming in it makes no sense, but apparently there's no other way to keep the pool clean short of converting to salt water. These things are just a money pit lol.
MrFluffyHippo -Holy shit I just shot my Starbucks out my nose !things to see people to do - We just hire a pool guy to clean our pool weekly. Costs 40$a month and he comes once a weekTwice if you include in your wife!