Gracy,
Welcome to the forum. We will be here to help you get started, so please ask questions as necessary.
Go to the "Sticky" at the top of this forum, or the web page below from Watermom, and it will help you to get started.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1113
Your pool builder will have settled the pool chemistry by Thursday, and should show you what to test with your test kit, and what to expect. You can follow the sequence you mention in Item #2, but again the pool builder will explain this. You mention the "brutal" sun in S Florida. I live in Central Florida and can empathise. Make sure you have about 40 - 50 ppm CYA in the pool as this will prevent the chlorine from evaporating too quickly.
Keep us posted on your progress, let us have some test figures, and we will help you every we can.
Enjoy your new pool and again welcome to the Poolforum family.
Pat
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