New Intex 12' pool - I'm LOST

One week ago we set up an Intex 12'x30" above ground pool. I have never had any experience with a pool, which has gotten me to the point i'm at now. I didn't add anything to the water for the first several days. We ran the pump continuously during that time. Once the water started getting a little cloudy, we started adding chemicals. I started with chlorine granules which came in a HTH start up kit which included Chlorine granules, stabilizer, shock-n-swim, and some 3 way strip tests. I also purchased the 3 way HTH test kit with OTO and Phenol red drops. Again, I was clueless. I have read over the start up guidelines here and am prepared to get on board with it but i don't have the equipment suggested here at this time. The water has gotten cloudier the more I treat it. Not sure what the chlorine levels are at this point. the HTH drop test turns orange when I add the OTO drops which apparently is off the charts. with the dip sticks it is the deepest shade of purple which equates to 10+ PPM. Now I'm scared to let anyone in there for fear it may damage their skin or eyes. The water is still cloudy and sometimes has a green tinge to it. A friend of mine who has the exact same pool told me to shock it until it cleared up. I've been using products from walmart out of convenience. The shock treatment's active ingredient is calcium hypochlorite which i've learned after the fact is a no-no. Regardless, not sure if we can safely swim or correct this problem without spending lots of cash. It is a 1700 gallon pool. At this point, should i just drain and start over once I am better prepared? Or should i try and correct this. I might could refill cheaper than i could correct whatever the issue is. I don't have the test kit recommended so I doubt I could offer any more useful info, however i can try. If i do start over can the BBB method be used with this pool? It isn't a SWG, just the standard pump that came with the pool.
Thanks in advance for any help. wish i would've found you guys before we started.

BVise

Yeah, maybe just dump and start over. Probably a good idea to follow the recipe for starting up an Intex pool. Sounds like you already found that thread.

You are going to need a kit that can measure CYA, though. If you can, go ahead and order a Taylor K2006 ot 2006C kit. It will help you a lot.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the info. I figured dumping might be the easiest fix. Can you tell me if I can just continue with the BBB method once I refill? That's the three main things I need to maintain in addition to the recommended chlorine from Sam's club? Wasn't sure if that was mainly for the saltwater guys or for everyone. And wasn't sure if you could strictly stick with that or if you had to change the routine at some point? I am going to get the recommended test kit as well as the replacement filters. So glad you guys are willing to share your insight with folks like me. Thanks again.

Did you find the start up recipe thread?

You can just start in with the recipe when you refill. You will want to monitor your CYA while using dichlor as it adds CYA as well as chlorine. When it gets to around 50ppm, then switch to using bleach instead. Dont check CYA too often; the kit doesn't give you too much of that reagent. Maybe every couple of weeks. (By the way, if you run out of CYA testing reagent, you can always order some of that separately.)

membership upgraded.

1. Turn your salt system (if you have one) OFF. You can disconnect the power to the cell.

2. Follow the SS recipe here: Super-simple-pool-chemistry-recipe-for-Intex-type-pools-start-up-&-routine-care.

3. The equipment listed there is pretty much the minimum, if you are going to do an adequate job. You'll need to bite the bullet and get what's missing . . . or give up on pools.

4. OTO => orange = 15 - 30 ppm. It's not harmful to people, but if the stabilizer level is low, it can damage swimwear and may make eyes sting. Kids can swim, IF they wear old swim suits AND keep their heads up, if their eyes start stinging.