Re: starting new any advice
Be sure to add bleach while filling - you wouldn't want to start with a swamp.
After it's full you may want to bring up your TA a little with baking soda. The pH will come up a little with the baking soda and the bleach will raise it a little too.
All black - sounds dramatic. It might bleach more easily than light colors and light spots will stand out more - be sure to mix the chlorine well.
Don't know about the auto vacs.
A clear cover might let you catch more light in the liner - I like blue - it just looks right for the pool.