Getting ready to open 40k gal pool AKA "the Swamp"

[Watermom]

Take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature below. It gives the correlation between CYA and needed chlorine levels. With a concrete pool, it isn't so critical that you don't take the chlorine level too high as it is with a vinyl pool. Bleach or dichlor is up to you. Both will clean up the pool. With dichlor, you'll have to keep an eye on your CYA after a bit so it doesn't get too high. If you do decide to use dichlor, you have to be careful what you buy. If you have access to a Sams Club, you can get some there that is ok to use. You have to be wary of most other local sources of dichlor, since it's become common to sell 'diluted dichlor' at 1/2 strength but full price. Links below.

PoolBrand granular dichlor 50lbs @ Sams Club => ~$2.20/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)
PoolBrand dichlor bagged shock 24lbs @ Sams Club => ~$2.50/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)

Kem-Tek dichlor 22 lbs @ Amazon => ~$3.50/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 12 lbs @ Amazon => ~$4.10/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 5 lbs @ Amazon => ~$5.00/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 2 lbs @ Amazon => ~$9.00/lb (May 2014)

Keep in mind that Amazon products normally ship free; and that in many parts of the country, you will not have to pay sales tax. Shipping + tax can increase the cost from other suppliers by 15 - 40%, so compare delivered cost, not nominal price.

[KJohnston]

Its blue! Super cloudy but blue! So should I keep it at 30 ppm? Today its down to 2.5 so I think I will clean the filters and then add 10 more jugs. I will order some dichlor from amazon. Thanks so much!
Edited to add: I just bought the 12 lb dichlor from amazon. I should get it Saturday, If I just add all 12 lbs at once then that should raise the cya a little. Then just keep using bleach after that. Does that sound ok?
Also, do I need to lower ph now, or will the dichlor help with that? I have some muriatic acid if I need to use that. Or do I just work on getting the pool clear, then worry about the ph?

[Watermom]

Dichlor will push your pH down but you need to test the pH when the chlorine level is not high to get an accurate reading. High chlorine levels cause the pH test to read falsely high.

[KJohnston]

I checked the pH when the chlorine was zero. It was always high last year too. I am going to Walmart to get more bleach tonight. I added 11 more jugs this afternoon. I've been shooting for the 30 ppm because it is so gross but do you think I can go lower until I add the CYA anyway? I am almost afraid to see what the bottom looks like because we brush, then use the leaf rake to collect the slimy mess that comes up and I just know there is probably a lot of algae under that stuff.

[Watermom]

Yes, with no CYA, your shock level doesn't need to be so high.

[KJohnston]

The pool is still cloudy but clearing up. I have been vacuuming a lot and I have what may be white mold. At first I thought I had killed a bunch of frogs because it kind of looked like frog skin (very disgusting!), it was slimy snotty some was green some more white/pinkish. I have been keeping the chlorine 20-30 ppm but I swear this slimy stuff is just multiplying! So do I need to add anything else for that or just keep bleaching? Also, I have 32 boxes of borax. I was going to get the pool clear then add the borax but should I go ahead and add it now to get some borates in there?

[Watermom]

For now, just keep the chlorine high and keep the pump running. I would worry about getting the pool cleared first before adding the borates. I'll ask Ben to take a look at this thread and see if he has any other suggestions for you.