I should have said we are using the bio-degradable substitute for DE - Fiber Clear - we sprinkle it in until the pressure goes up 1# and then we stop putting it in. It has helped a little. None comes out of the outlet valve. (Although, when my DH hooked up to vacuum this evening, a small amount started shooting out of the outlet valve next to the skimmer - we hadn't put any in since this morning when we changed out the filter - and - my DH checked the filter and it was full, so, we changed it out.) I was unsure as to whether to continue using it, so I didn't add any tonight, but certainly can if I should.

I'll go and try to find the OTO kit tomorrow (DH said Walmart told him there didn't have any OTO test kits - might just have been a kid that didn't know what he was talking about) and start testing that way. The Taylor 2006 is ordered; but it will be a while until it gets here.

I'll put in another box of Borax then tonight as well. I have a 4#12 oz box I think. (I didn't know how much to put in before I located the thread - that's why I only used 1/2 cup. Since then, I've added boxes.)

The pool guy said my TDS was way too high. I know that Watermom said it was too and she suggested I drain 1/2 the pool. I'm just wondering if that is why my pool is still cloudy. I would prefer to "fix" it though rather than drain it.

Today I did have to brush orange brown patches off the sides a bit. They came off quite easily with the brush. Maybe, the cloudiness will go away when the chlorine is right?

Also, my pH is 7.7 - is that too low? Should I add 2 boxes of Borax every time I put in the 10 gallons of Clorox? (I did try to find the liquid chlorine, but, I can't find anyone who sells it here in SA.)