You've come to the right place to learn to take control of your pool. You'll need the right tools and you'll need to learn how.

Tools:
Number One Tool - must have: Taylor K-2006 (or K-2006C) FAS-DPD test kit (DPD color match is insufficient)
#2 Tool: OTO, Phenol Red test kit: Quick and cheap for everyday testing. Taylor K-1000 is good, others are adequate.

Education:
Read all you can here on the forum - especially the stickies in the testing, chlorinating, and algae sections (You'll have to log out while you are a trial user).
Read all you can at PoolSolutions.com - especially the Best Guess Chart - it explains the basis for the poolcare method taught here.

Assistance:
We will help you learn to care for your pool. You'll need to tell us about the pool before we can help. Pool water test results(did you order that K-2006 yet?). chemical history - tell us every thing that's gone into the pool (chemical names are way better than product names. Size in gallons or length, width, depth, shape. Pool construction - above or in ground, vinyl liner, plaster, fiberglass. Type of equipment - pump (model and size), filter heater SWCG, skimmers, drains, returns.

If you buy your testkits through the links in the "How to Get the Right Testkits for your Pool " thread if the testing forum, the PoolForum will get coin to keep the lights on.

Beware, draining a pool can be risky.

Whether you refill or not, learning and using the poolcare method taught here will make the pool easier to maintain and more pleasant to own.

Welcome, looking forward to hearing more.