DC:

It sounded as if you said TFP told you to take those steps. While there are differences in approach between them and us, those differences are minor compared to the rest of the world and what pool stores tell you. In other words, as Chem_Geek has pointed out they tend to be more wedded to the idea that bleach/Liquid Chlorine is the only way to go, and we are willing to use the other forms of chlorine more. Right now, I have a floater full of tri-chlor pellets in my pool. Why? I need stabilizer, my pH is controllable, and they provide a constant feed of chlorine while they provide stabilizer. Plus I had 'em lying around so I put them to APPROPRIATE use. It's not that TFP is "wrong" and we are "right", though our directions may be clearer and wider ranging. They simply have a different "take" on the B-B-B approach, but overall, their advice should not be too different than ours. It stems from the same root.

OK, let's get to what you need to do and not beat the PF vs TFP dead horse any further.

You said you're pretty far out in a rural area, so getting to a pool store with a sample may be tough. But if you can, that would be good and would give us a better baseline of where you are coming from.

You should also get a proper FAS-DPD test kit--you can't get them in stores but you can order them on line. TaylorTechnologies.com has their K-2006 and K-2006C, the basic kit we recommend. I also recommend from Leslies On Line their Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit. It's the same as the Taylor but stuck into a Leslies box. All the chemicals ("Reagents" in tech talk) are the same as the K-2006. TFP also makes a kit but I can't give you any details about it other than I believe it's FAS-DPD as well.

Meanwhile, you can extend the range of your OTO/pH kit using Steam Distilled water, available at your local supermarket or discount drug chain. If you mix pool water with distilled water 1:1 you double the range of the tester. If your reading with the diluted water is "3", it's really "6". If you use 2 parts distilled to 1 part pool water you TRIPLE the range. If your "cell" measures to 5 for chlorine it now goes to 15! Search our site for the CarlD Shotglass Method.
Please try to get us the best readings you can from the OTO/pH kit.
The strips can give us a rude idea of total hardness, total alkalinity, and CYA/Stabilizer levels, but their TC, FC and pH readings are not nearly as accurate as your OTO/pH drop kit. (I'm assuming WM means WalMart* OTO/pH test kit).

When Ben said "add 2 boxes every evening" he didn't say that he meant 2 boxes of Borax (yes, 20 Mule Team Borax) but that's what he meant. Trust me on this.

For now, the rest of his advice, plus a proper kit, is your first set of steps.

Start with that.

Good luck,

Carl