Brand new in-ground pool is cloudy, pH is high, chlorine is low

[Simmons99]

There is a sticky thread in the "Total Alkalinity" forum which explains how to reduce the TA number very effectively.

As far as the testing - I wouldn't do it right after you add chemicals - as they need time to distribute. CYA takes a few days to a week to dissolve.

My understanding is that the CYA in the tablets is minimal and that it is normally recommended to put CYA in at start-up to at least 30ppm. Then you can keep using the pucks until the CYA approaches 50ppm.

[CarlD]

There is a sticky thread in the "Total Alkalinity" forum which explains how to reduce the TA number very effectively.

As far as the testing - I wouldn't do it right after you add chemicals - as they need time to distribute. CYA takes a few days to a week to dissolve.

My understanding is that the CYA in the tablets is minimal and that it is normally recommended to put CYA in at start-up to at least 30ppm. Then you can keep using the pucks until the CYA approaches 50ppm.

Actually, I LIKE trichlor tabs/pucks for new gunite/concrete pools, espec in floaters, but chlorinators are good. They will function 3 ways:
1) they will keep a steady stream of chlorine flowing without you adding. This compensates for the time it takes for the CYA to build up.
2) they are extremely acid, which you need to fight the high pH of the curing process.
3) they dump in CYA, which you need. I would not be so leery about testing my water for CYA as has been suggested. The CYA in the pucks is constantly being added. Plus, CYA's job is to keep chlorine from dropping to 0, something not likely to happen as long as you have pucks.

For your T/A, you need to lower your pH to 7.0-7.2 At the time, T/A will measure much lower than now. Then aerate your water to raise pH without raising T/A. Repeat until your T/A is at or below 125. IOW, follow the thread listed above by someone else!