Thanks Watermom, after reading info on this forum, my first problem is I've always used the test strips, so even tho my free chlorine always reads excessive (deep purple) and total chlorine high but acceptable, the green persists, so I'm assuming the strips are next to worthless. I've had 2 Intex pools over the last 6 years, but for some reason I got a huge algae bloom this spring, (well, we went on vacation, that's all it took, came back to green water with little squiggly tadpole looking critters swimming around). Used shock according to directions, very little improvement. Read elsewhere online ignore package directions, use 4-6 times the amount called for. I then used a shock (6X the directions) plus a flocculent. Pretty good results this time after siphoning overboard 1/3 the pool volume with el cheapo vaccuum tool. It only got about 60% of the stuff on the bottom, as the rest is kicked up into suspension during the process.

A week later, after maintaining off-the-chart high free chlorine level, added more flocculent, (even tho directions call for more shock, but not a repeat of flocculent) Next morning nice layer on bottom, again vaccuumed 1/3 to waste. Still don't have real clear water like in years past, so I'm ready to completely empty & start again.

I have concluded my 2nd problem is that the regular Intex filters are not adequate to capture the presumably dead algae. In years past, there has always been a small accumulation of grey "silt" on the bottom that passes thru the filter, but this settles out pretty quickly, and seems to be harmless. I have tried to maintain the other water properties within range, even tho after adding one of the recommended chemicals, the water turned cloudy again.

Having discovered this forum, I plan to follow the simple rules for Intex pools section.

Thoughts?