I've had the kit since July 2006. The powder is dark reddish-brown, not clumpy.

The only thing I've added to the pool this year, other than hundreds of gallons of chlorine, are CYA and muriatic acid. The water is cloudy and pale green. I can see about 18" down.

I started shocking a month ago; then realized I had a filter problem and my husband went into the hospital. For 2 1/2 weeks, I shocked once a day or twice when I was able to. Stopped it all for a few days while the filter got fixed. 10 days ago, began shocking morning and evening, every day. I sweep it down or run the robotic sweeper several times a day. Yesterday I brought it to shock level every 3-4 hours throughout the day. There is simply no change.

FC - 24
CC - <.5
PH - 7.2
CYA - 42

I am wondering about the accuracy of my test kit, but even with that, something ought to be changing with the huge amount of chlorine I've put into the pool the past month. I am beginning to wonder about my filter, also. Something isn't right.

Thank you!