Yes, too much chlorine can make your pool cloudy, especially after you have recently shocked it. However, low chlorine levels are a more common cause of cloudy water. An imbalance in pH or an excess of any chemical can also lead to cloudiness. To determine the specific cause, you should test your pool water to check the levels of chlorine, pH, and other chemicals. Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your pool clean and clear.

Calcium lumps in a pool are calcium deposits that form when a pool's water parameters are not in the normal range. They can float around on the surface of the pool water, making it look and feel dirty. The most common causes of calcium lumps in pools are calcium hardness above 1,000 ppm, alkalinity over 120, and a pH over 7.8. Keeping your pool’s calcium levels, alkalinity, and pH levels within the normal, safe ranges is the best way to prevent calcium lumps and other problems, including damage to the pool surface.

Yes, pool pumps use a significant amount of electricity, making them one of the biggest energy consumers in a home. A pool pump can use up to three times as much electricity as a refrigerator. Typically, a residential pool pump consumes about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for every hour it runs. Because pumps often need to run for about eight hours a day to properly filter the water, this can add up to an annual consumption of 3,000 to 5,000 kWh, which can cost between $480 and $800 per year based on average electricity rates.

The amount of electricity your pump uses depends on its size, energy efficiency, and daily run time. To lower your energy consumption, you can choose an energy-efficient or variable-speed pump, ensure it is correctly sized for your pool, and run it only for the minimum time required to keep the water clean.

The best way to kill off an algae bloom in an aboveground pool is to shock it with a large dose of chlorine. Shock typically kills off algae in about one to three days, although it can take longer if the pool water is in poor condition. After the shock treatment, add algaecide to prevent algae from growing back, and test the water every few days with test strips to ensure the pool’s pH doesn’t get out of whack.