How do I keep my above ground pool chlorinated? I have tried everything...?

I have a 22ft round Sof Pool. For the past two years (we've had it 3) I can't keep chlorine in it to save my life. We have taken samples to different pool stores and spent hundreds doing as they recommend. We opened it three days ago and I have already used 8 bags of shock and an entire container of chlorine. The other chemicals test in the normal range. With the exception of myself being in it to vacuum, only 4 others have been in it. That was just one hour or so, today. I just don't know what to do. My husband is ready to throw it out. PLEASE HELP!

Answers:
First of all make SURE the "shock" you are using contains chlorine! There are a lot of brands out there that do not have any chlorine in them. I rather suspect that is what you are using. How to tell? read the ingredients. The so called 5 in 1 stuff, for instance, contains NO chlorine. Might as well toss a 5 dollar bill in the pool! If it does contain chlorine then I'll bet your chlorine level is too high, not too low. A really high chlorine level will actually "bleach" the chlorine test! Or your test kit reagents are old. You can dilute the pool sample with bottled water and retest for chlorine. That should tell you if it is too high. Keep me posted on this one. We'll run the problem down. But I may need some additional input.

Other answers:
They have floating things to put chlorine tablets in that float right in your pool. we had a above the ground pool and always used them. even in our hot tub. we didnt seem to have any problems with the chlorine levels.
They have floating things to put chlorine tablets in that float right in your pool. we had a above the ground pool and always used them. even in our hot tub. we didnt seem to have any problems with the chlorine levels.
If it is hotter outside you sill use more chlorine as for the shock IT IS CHLORINE that seems way too much as we have a 28ft x 4 ft pool and we NEVER use that much chlorine. Are you using the test strips or the old fashioned liquid test kit. If the test kits are old they do fail. The strips may also be old. Is the pool milky, green or clear. If milky you may need some algecide or maybe some clarifier. Try these things and good luck!!
We had the same problem with ours and I got tired of buying all the crap so I started dumping about 4 cups of bleach in a day, more if a bunch of kids swam in it...It worked pretty well...Better than the shock! Forget the stupid tests and go by how the water looks...If the water gets yuck with algae (as in the 4 cups ain't enough) dump in a half bottle of bleach and run the pump overnight.

We bought our pool from Walmart and couldn't keep it level so we ended up chunking it anyways. We did enjoy it for a couple of years though. Good luck!
Buy yourself an automatic chlorinator, its a small electronic device that fits in the filter line and plugs into the power and automatically/electronically chlorinates the pool, you only have to buy bagged salt in the beginning turn it on with the filter and TOUCH nothing ok. put it on a timer-a couple of hrs each day.
Chlorine will evaporate, try switching over to Baquacil, a little more up front but it is a non chlorine product, we used it for the first time last year and we love it we used less chemicals to maintain the pool for the season, be sure to purchase their test kit and have your water checked before switching over, they will be able to help you with proper amounts to add to the pool. There is also another product called Pristine blue, but it contains copper sulfate and will discolor color treated hair and is more expensive that the Baquacil. Good Luck, hope this will help with your problem, our pool is also 27X4.
  • Has anyone had problems with roof shingles coming off their new home?
  • What posion should I use to kill water striders?
  • Does anyone know what type of hardward screws I need for a medicine cabinet that I purchased from Target?
  • I have a question about an eviction?
  • Who Knows about Ladybirds (insects) & their value?
  • Any tips for packing and moving?
  • Looking for origin and name of dishes?
  • How can I humanely get rid of wasps who have made a nest by my home and discourage them from coming back?
  • Help me find a giant plastic storage container?