just got back from testing the pool at sundown. FC was at 1 ppm. TC was at 3. Ph was at 7. CH was 230 ppm. Ta was 90 ppm. The CYA was something less than 30 but i couldnt tell b/c the tube was full and i could still see the dot although cloudy. The chlorine tests are approximate (and consequently less accurate) bc the colors are hard to distinguish sometimes (see further down in post)

i added 3 gal 3 quarts as i did earlier to bring it back up and then tested the water a little bit later and got an approximate reading of 10 ppm. Again Im not sure b/c the colors are hard to distinguish and I had to use the dilute method b/c the reading was above 5 ppm.

Im going to add the CYA tomorrow as you suggested.

I edited out the borax comment bc i just saw your earlier reply. 10-4 on the borax instructions.

I also ordered the Taylor K-2006 kit as suggested on here and am going to return the one I got at leslie's...its too freakin' hard to read the color adjustments for chlorine, especially at shock levels or anything above 5 ppm. Unfortunately the kit wont be here until next week

how we doin' so far? what ya got for me?