Test Strips???? Ouch!!!!! Don't believe them. You'll need to get a drop-based test kit before you start and you're probably gonna' need quite a bit of clorox. I'm not insisting you've still got baqua in the pool.....but if you've had no sanitizer in since last year, you should not ask your SWG to "shock" your pool.....it might overload it's capacity and then you'll be bummed thinking it's not working properly.

There are some converts on the forum who can advise you better than I, and they'll help you along, I'm sure. Essentially, you'll need to bring Cl level up to shock value (around 12ppm since you have no CYA) and KEEP IT THERE until it holds that level overnight. Then post your test numbers on here to get in balance and then you're ready to start running your SWG.

I'm not sure you'll do any harm cleaning up your water with the SWG in the system but not running....my guess would be no harm....others will be along soon to give you better advice.

Dave S.