Hopefully this thread isn't too long, just wanted to update where I am.

Added approx 1/4 box borax and it didn't seem to make much difference. pH is still reading 6.8, alk is 140. Cl has dropped to 5. Because I was curious, I decided to check the pH of my well water (after 2 filters, a softener and a RO system) and the pH color was exactly the same as the pool. I thought that was interesting, but have no idea what to make of it.

Also, because I was curious, I used a leftover strip test. Those numbers were interesting: TC=1, FC=5, pH=6.8 and Alk=40 (not 140 as the drop test says). I just want to see how inaccurate they are I suppose.

I am going to the city tomorrow so I will take some water to have tested to see what they come up with. I did add another 1/4 box borax this evening.