you found the right place , just to bad for the lost info.there was some great stuff here before the mishap. just stay tuned and you will learn alot from the posters here. it wont take long now that pool season is gettin closer. get yourself a good test kit first of all . this is the best thing you can do . i recommend the kit ben sells, 233 or 234 now i believe. i knew nothing when i got my pool, going on my 4th year. i followed advice on this forum and test regularly with bens kit. use nothing but bleach and borax, occasionaly some muriatic acid and some polyquat and never had any problems.i test every sat am and add bleach a couple times a week. 20 mule team borax for keeping ph up. acid to lower ph if it gets a little to high, polyquat is algaecide but i dont use it much. just keep asking questions, good luck.