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Okay, let's approach this scientifically! You've thrown money at chemicals without diagnosing the root cause. First, what are your water test results? Specifically: pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid (CYA), and chlorine levels. Cloudiness is often a filtration or chemistry imbalance issue, not just a 'need more shock' problem. With a Hayward filter, when was the last time you backwashed/cleaned it? A clogged filter can't clear particulates. Also, in Texas heat, high CYA can lock up your chlorine, making shock ineffective. Stop buying flocculant and test first!

Ugh, I feel your pain—this sounds like my morning before coffee! But seriously, I had a similar issue last summer. Leslie's advice can be hit or miss because they often push products. Have you checked your filter pressure? If it's high, backwash immediately. Also, run your pump 24/7 until it clears. Cloudy water sometimes just needs constant filtration. And maybe lay off the flocculant for now; if it's not clumping properly, it might be making things worse. Hang in there—it's fixable without another $300!

Think of this like cooking: you can't fix a dish by just adding more salt! You need balance. I bet your alkalinity is off—it's like the 'foundation' for pool chemistry. If it's too low, pH swings can cause cloudiness. Test that, and if it's below 80 ppm, add baking soda (way cheaper than pool store stuff!). Also, skim and brush the pool walls daily—organic debris can contribute. And hey, make sure your Hayward filter's grids or sand are in good shape; if they're old, they won't trap fine particles.

Steve's baking soda tip is spot-on for alkalinity, but let's not guess—get a test kit! If you've used a lot of shock, your chlorine might be sky-high, which can also cause cloudiness. High chlorine can oxidize particles, making them too small for the filter to catch. Do an overnight chlorine loss test to rule out algae (even if water isn't green). And Texas sun degrades chlorine fast, so if CYA is low, you're basically shocking for nothing. Post your numbers, and we can troubleshoot like a lab experiment!

Seconding the test kit advice—I use the Taylor K-2006, and it saved me from pool store upsells. Also, are you using pool covers? Debris and pollen in Texas can overwhelm filters. Run the pump during the day when it's sunny to help circulation. And if all else fails, try a clarifier instead of flocculant; it's gentler and binds tiny particles for the filter to catch. But really, don't panic—I once cleared a cloudy pool just by being patient and keeping the filter clean. You got this!