Good Morning! (or afternoon..I'm in Nevada on Pacific time)

Thank you CarlD & Chem geek...

I stayed up until 1:30am soaking up as much of this forum as I could, I took 5 pages of notes and learned alot from others mistakes/questions/answers...so hopefully I can fall into line quickly.

7am (6-way HTH test kit)
CL: 2.5
Ph: 7.2
Alka: 180 ppm (tested before reading CarlD's post...I'm assuming that's what TA means,
Total Alkaline)
Hardness: 100 ppm

Pump ran all night, I flushed the filter with water again and scrubbed the skimmer basket clean (used Greased Lightning degreaser and rinsed with water..worked fabulously, it also cleaned up the pump which was horribly stained with my fingerprints...might discolor with time, it contains Alkaline and Surfactants ? I wouldn't use it IN or ON my pool, so don't think that!) then added 2 cups bleach (slowly, into skimmer) ...see, I learned something last night.

This morning when I ran my hand through the water I noticed I could SEE MY HAND! (pauses to measure arm length...) THAT'S 27 INCHES!!! It's getting better folks!
But then, why do I think you knew that would happen....

The neighbor who stopped by yesterday (he's had an 18x48 Intex for 2 years) confirmed that his water looked exactly the same upon filling (we're on the same well water field.) He proceeded to tell me everything I needed to do..but when he pulled out his test strips I immediately TUNED HIM OUT! hehe I did however perk up when he said a stablizer cleared his water. At Aylads' suggestion, my husbands in town picking some up right now (cyanuric or Isocyanuri acid.)

I'll post results again tonight...thanks all!