since i posted things seemed to be fine. i bought a vacumn and cleaned the bottom, also brushed the bottom. well the next day, my pool was green, just horrible. unfortunately, we went away for 3 days for a camping trip. when we got back home the pool looked like a swamp. really ugly. had to wait for payday (i have 8 people to feed, plus bills), anyway, i bought 3 bottles of 6% bleach. these i think are larger than gallon size. they are 182 fl oz bottles. i dumped 3 of them in last night, so 546 fl oz of 6% bleach. i also have the salt water system, i disconnected that, and just hooked up the pump. let the pump run all night. this morning the pool is much better looking. the green is gone. but i am not at the crystal clear stage yet.

i do not have the taylor kit (again a money issue). i have the intex 3 way strips and the one strip for copper. i just tested (which i know is not a good thing with these strips, but it is all i have at the moment. the free clorine seems to be around the 2 or 3 based on color. the ph is a red, which is not even on the chart. so i can't tell if its too high (which i am assuming it is) or if its too low. total alk, again i can't really tell if its too high, but it was a dark green, just not sure how dark. yes, by my description, i understand the need for the better kit!

as for right now, i am not sure which way to go. do i hook my salt water system back up, do i add more salt? do i leave the salt water system disconnected. add more bleach? will adding more bleach make the pool clearer?
i added in the beginning "c" tabs, which turned my clear green pool, to a beautiful clear blue pool. so i am also wondering if maybe i should add the "c" tabs.

out temps are expected to rise again starting today, into the 90's. the kids are ..well.. they want in the pool lol. please, advise me what i might beable to try next. at least to get it to where i can let these kids in. there must be an educated guess as to my next step. i will order the taylor kit, but again, it will take a few days to get here.

i also have already filled out that form. thanks so much for any help.