We have a 24' AG pool with 52in walls. I calculate it to be 14,500 gallons.

We uncovered yesterday, had a light coat of green algae. The pool water was below the level of the skimmer and return and since we have a well, we haul water from the city to fill the pool. We put the sump pump in the pool to circulate the water. The Cl tesed 0 and the pH was 7.8 - using the drop test from Walmart (I ordered one from Pool Solutions for later use). I added bleach to the water until it was registering 10+, so that I could start killing the algae. Much to our surprise the pool was sparkling clear when we got up this morning.

We started hauling water this morning and we have it just about full enough, so I tested everything tonight. These are my results:

pH 7.2
Cl 10+ the color was a dark orange, nearly red
Alk 350
Ca no color registered
CYA 80

I had a few strips left from last year (before I knew any better) and got these results:

hardness: 250
TC 10+
FC 10+
pH 7.2
Alk 120-180

So I didn't add any chemicals tonight. I don't really trust the strips, but the Alk test on the drop seems very high.

We had the mineral system last year (private label of the Frog), but have decided not to use it this year. The cycler is still in place, but we are not goingto buy a cartridge for it.

What are your thoughts?