Quote Originally Posted by medvampire
I have a 2 hp pump and 22 in sand filter.

1. Just how accurate do I need to be? The CH color standards are not very good.

Before you get too far, CH is commonly used as Calcium Harness in "pool talk", so to avoid confusion you should use Cl. The standards are easier to use against a white background.

 2. I have my oldest do a strip test before I let them get in during the day because I work nights and am snoozing. Are they good enough to use for them to get a guess before getting in the pool?

I'd have to say that is probably a good use for the strips, as long as you know the chlorine isn't insanely high, which can bleach out the strips.

 3. Is there a better method for CYA than the turbidity method?
4. Does oxygen shock (what can I say I got pool stored before I found this site) affect the CH test?

No

 5. When is the best time of day for me to test?
6. Will the ALK slowly come down over time by adding acid to keep the PH down to 7.4 or do I need to go ahead and do the low PH and aeration procedure?

The alkalinity won't move much at 7.4 pH, but you are okay where you are with a vinyl liner.


 7. Will I ever get my life back and get less anal about the chem. in the pool?

It takes me less than 2 minutes a day to test and dose my pool with bleach. A few extra minutes on Saturday to do the full-up tests. You will get a feel for it and it will become routine.
Your pump is way oversized. You may have filtering issues and electric bill issues with that thing. You could get by with a 3/4 HP pump.