First test with kit

I ordered the recommended test kit and it finally arrived today. We had the pool installed and closed last fall. I opened it last week and have just been trying to keep the chlorine level up. I also added two - 24 ounce containers of pool stabilizer some of which is still left in the stocking. I was being cautious about getting the CYA level up too high until I was able to test it so I knew that would be low.

Here are the results:
Chlorine .5 the free CL was BARELY and changed to clear the instant the drop hit the water so less then .5
pH 8
Acid demand 3
Total Alk 340
Cal Hardness 190
CYA didn't show up

I have an 18 by 36 above ground with deep end so approx 20K gallons I figured out?

Not sure where to go from here so I will be doing lots of reading and would love advice.

3 lbs. of stabilizer would only add about 20ppm of CYA to a 20K gallon pool which is not enough to register on the test. You'll probably want to add another couple of lbs.

Your alk is extremely high. Take a look at the link in my signature below about lowering alk. Also read the one about using muriatic acid safely.

You need to get some chlorine in there. In your pool, each gallon of 6% bleach will add about 3ppm of chlorine. Go ahead and add a couple gallons this evening. That should take you up to about 6ppm. Test it again tomorrow evening and see if that amount allows you to make it through the day without losing it all. Once you get your CYA where you want it (and we usually suggest 40-50ppm for most pools), make sure you keep your chlorine in range per the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature.

Yes to doing lots of reading here on the forum! Also, go to our sister website www.poolsolutions.com and read there as well. Lots of good info over there, too.

Hope this helps.