Opened pool last Wednesday -- live in Northeast, 22,000 gallons 18x36 oval, vinyl liner, solid loop-loc cover removed -- put in 1 quart of algaecide 60, 3 lbs of shock after opening. Water didn't look too bad, just cloudy. In past years, 24-48 hours later, chemicals were balanced and water clear. This year, the pool took 5/6 days to clear and I have yet to get a free chlorine reading (the reading is not low, it's 0). I put 3 lbs of shock in each of the 1st 3 days -- put 6lbs in at once the 4th day -- and 3lbs twice on the 5th day -- still no free chlorine reading. Other readings (PH, alkalinity, stabilizer) are just about normal. I have had 6 3inch chlorine tabs (broken up) in the skimmer since opening. My pool store suggested that I continue to shock until I get a free chlorine reading. For some reason, all this shocking scares me. Is the pool god messing with me? Should I just keep shocking? It would be appreciated if anyone could offer advice or suggestions. Many thanks,
Jim