You are correct that you need CYA to protect chlorine from the sun.

I'm confused that you've been chlorinating with trichlor and dichlor and your CYA level is low - we usually see the opposite.

I don't think you are wasting your time here but any time spent where ideas like muriatic acid will raise CYA and have no effect on pH is a waste.

Stay with us. We'll get you right.