1. Please start using this form. I've already entered your 6/12 tap water and pool results. You please enter any subsequent results + chemicals used. The 2nd link takes you to the output.
Miker1755 form
Miker1755 results
2. A blue bucket may be OK, so long as it's not so dark blue you can't seen the bottom clearly.

3. Bucket test for lime softening:
  • fill the bucket w/ ~4 gallons of pool water.
  • add 1 tablespoon of bleach & mix.
  • add 1 tablespoon of either pH UP (sodium carbonate) OR Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
  • cover and wait 24 hours
  • inspect; note results; recover & wait 24 hours
  • inspect again; report results

4. Pool test:
Add 2 cups of washing soda directly to the skimmer (first remove any tabs present)
After 1 hour, check filter pressure; clean if needed; repeat dose.
Repeat 2 more times (8 cups total)
Wait 4 hours; test pH *and* total alkalinity.

5. Order a K2006 -- to run down your chlorine demand, you'll need a more accurate test than the HTH 6-way

Lemme know if you have any problems.