Unfortunately, the ONLY way we've found for you to tell if you can trust a pool store's testing is by getting a K-2006, and then seeing if they match. If they do, you can probably trust them -- but most don't. Of course, once you have a K2006, you don't NEED the pool store!

You *do* need the OTO kit, ASAP.

OK, you still need the bleach, the acid, and the borax.

If you are SURE you have nothing between the skimmer and the filter, except pipes and pump, instead of the bleach, do this:
1. Do not do this if you've just backwashed the filter.
2. Get a box of borax and a bag of shock open and ready next to the skimmer.
3. Make sure the skimmer basket is clean.
4. Add about 1/4 box of borax via the skimmer.
5. Add 1 lb of the cal hypo blend shock via the skimmer
6. Follow with another 1/4 box of borax

Do this EACH evening, but skip that days dose if the filter was backwashed that day. What you are doing is building up some calcium on the sand that will tend to 'catch' the metals in your pool water.

Test the chlorine in the AM with the OTO kit, and add 1 gallon of bleach to the pool, if the chlorine level is below 3.0