+ CAUTION: you can NOT "head out" to get the K-2006. As far as we know, no pool stores ANYWHERE sell them. They are only available online. (Why would a pool store sell a kit that makes them obsolete?)

+ I'm not familiar with testing that used sealed cells - it is potentially an rather accurate photometric method. However, because of the limitations of photometric testing for chlorine, you STILL need either the K-1515 or K-2006 titration.

+ "68% calcium hypochlorite" is the good stuff -- but you need to test your TA and Calcium. Odds are, it's way too high now. Until you've tested, don't operate an SWCG or a heater, if you have those.

+ The high ammonia would be caused by bacteria eating (pretty much literally) chlorine stabilizer (CYA) and pooping (again, pretty much literally) ammonia. *IF* this happened, you probably had high CYA last fall, and none now. If that's not the case, we need to back up and reconsider: we're not aware of any other routine events that cause such enormous chlorine demand, except inch-thick layers of algal slime.