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In many ways, an in-ground pool is like a child. While it brings much joy to your life, it can also be a lot of work. If you want to raise a beautiful clear swimming pool, you must perform regular maintenance. Similar to a child, there are certain aspects of this maintenance that are best left to professionals. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do yourself, and when to call in the pros (with your pool that is). Here is an example pool maintenance schedule to keep you on track.

Once a week

Check your pH levels and balance the pool if necessary.
Monitor the chlorine levels, making sure they are between 1 and 3 ppm.
Empty the skimmer basket and skim leaves and debris from the surface of the pool.
You may also want to shock your swimming pool with a pre-packaged shock treatment. You should do this in the evening, and the following morning add a small dose of algaecide.

Once a Month

Collect a sample of your swimming pool water and bring it to your local pool maintenance professional for analysis. Make sure to test for alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer.
Clean your filter with a filter cleaning product that removes accumulated grease and oil.

Special problems with your in-ground pool, such as chronic algae blooms or cloudy water, may require the assistance of a pool professional. Also, if you find that your nose and eyes burn when you swim, it may be wise to consult an expert on altering your pool maintenance technique. In general, you can maintain a healthy in-ground pool with frequent testing and correction of water conditions. But when in doubt, call in the pros.

Source:
Pool Wizard: Pool Water Maintenance