Pool just opened, awaiting on testing kit, questions on what to do now

PoolDoc, thank you for your encouragement.

I will try to rephrase your suggestions the way I understand them, please correct me if I'm wrong or confused or both :-)

Phase 1: Adjusting pH with Borax to steer the process of ammonia destruction and take advantage of its byproducts.
1.1. Goal: Increase pH to 7.6
1.2. How much: Add borax 2 boxes
1.3. How often: 2-4 hours between additions until the goal is reached.
1.3 When and what to test: Test for pH in about 2 hrs after each borax addition.
1.4 Tips: Add borax slowly via skimmer WITH basket in place to avoid clumping and freezing in the pipe.

Phase 2: Brute force evening chlorine addition to get rid of ammonia and other organic compounds.
2.1. Goal: Have a morning reading FC >= 3*CC
2.2. How much: Add 4 gallons of 6% bleach
2.3. How often/when: Every 24 hrs in the late afternoon/evening (no direct sunlight) until goal is reached.
2.3 When and what to test: Test for FC and CC next morning.

Phase 3: Taking care of CYA, TA, etc.
3.*. TBD

Questions:
In 1.3 - is 2 hrs OK?
In 2.2 - is 4 gallons OK? It is a little less than 10ppm.
So essentially in phase 2 I will add chlorine only once a day (evening) and test once a day (morning)?

Thank you again, I am getting over my disappointment with the test results. It is what it is (says my real estate agent).

Vlad

Vlad, you seem to have gotten all PoolDocs directions...
You can speed the process a little if you test/add bleach more often, 2-3 times a day, to maintain Cl at your target (3*CC)
Keep your pump running, vacuum/brush walls of pools at least every other day...

Madwil
Note: the mods may add some info, I only jumped in on Ben's advice since he said he was scouting this weekend and so probably won't be online to respond...

Thank you all,

Happy to report I have a sparkling clean pool now, 0 CC, 7.8pH.

I will post more questions on CYA maintenance and TA in appropriate forums.

The water is all the way to 64 F - good enough for a few dips on a hot day :-)

Vlad

64F? Brrrrr. Too cold for me.