Around here it is recommended you get a good test kit. At least get the HTH 6-way test kit from Walmart, but even better is the Taylor K2006. Going by the pool store is just asking them to sell you stuff you don't need, and test strips are very inaccurate.
A "chlorine disc" will not add just chlorine to your pool, but also calcium, and maybe also CYA (stabilizer). Stabilizer is good, but unlike chlorine, which you have to constantly add to your pool as it is oxidized, CYA does not need to be constantly added. If the CYA gets too high in your pool, all of your chlorine becomes stabilized, and you will struggle with algae blooms.
With a good test kit you can be checking your CYA and get it to a good level for you based on the "Best Guess" chart on this forum. There is an appropriate ratio of chlorine to CYA, based on your CYA level. Some people like higher CYA for sunnier climates. I keep mine at 50ppm, which means I keep my chlorine levels at around 5ppm.
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