Frustrated with algae and chlorine
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Hi, mnhwinn, and welcome to the forum!!!
It sounds to me like the algae has just gotten hold and is eating up your chlorine as fast as you're putting it in, so you're not able to get ahead of it far enough to kill it off. Just because it visibly disappears doesn't mean it's completely gone, which is why accurate testing is necessary.
First off, what method are you using for testing? We don't recommend strips--they're just not accurate and reliable enough for normal testing, let alone clearing up a problem. Pool stores often aren't the most reliable, either. We recommend that you get a good, drop-based kit. We like the Taylor K-2006, which can be found online for $50-$70 at a number of sites--can give you links if you like. I know it seems like a big expense, but it's going to be your #1 tool in keeping your pool clean and clear, and I'm betting it's less expensive than what you've already unsuccessfully put into your pool!!
First of all, TC= FC + CC. total chlorine = free chlorine (chlorine available to kill the algae) + combined chlorine (chlorine already involved in the battle). The goal is to have zero CC and have all of the chlorine in the pool available. You say that you use chlorine--what type? liquid chlorine, bleach, cal-hypo, trichlor, dichlor are all different types of chlorine, but each has its own effect on water chemistry. We need to know what type of chlorine you're using, also what chemicals (ingredients, not brand names, please) you've put into your pool since this battle began.
In order to clear up the algae and keep it away, you're gonna have to kill it first. With a CYA of 20, I would shock your pool using plain, unscented bleach to get the chlorine up to 15 ppm. In a pool your size, starting with 0 chlorine, that means 4 gallons of 6% (ultra) bleach. Test the water and add whatever amount of bleach it takes to get back up to the 15 ppm as often as you can daily, because to kill off the algae you need to keep that chlorine level consistent at 15 ppm until 1)the water is clear and algae gone, 2)the CC is zero, and 3) you don't lose more than 1 ppm chlorine when testing at sundown and sunup. In your pool, each quart of 6% bleach will raise your chlorine by 1 ppm, so you can use that as guide when figuring how much you need to add back in. If you keep it consistent, brushing the pool at least once daily, and keep the filter running 24/7, cleaning as the pressure indicates, then it will clear up. The key to keeping it clear, once those three conditions above are met, is going to be consistent chlorination--never letting your chlorine drop below 3 ppm.
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