Many Many thanks for your help and I read for hours before posting - so much informative info.

So now i'm getting the info but lack wisdom - kids these days

In my rush for power and glory I went to the pool store after i posted.

My pool is 36k gallons. Here are the stores test results and my 82.00 purchase in chems and a good test kit. I'm probably upto 350.00 so far at least in pool store chems.

FAC - .5
TAC - 2
PH - 7.0
TA - 100
Cal Hardness - 150
CYA - 20

the 82.00 went to

1. 8 gallons of liquid shock - all poured in 15 minutes ago as instructed because of some " lock " in my pool ? ok whatever

2. Fiberclear - DE to add to skimmer and raise psi by 1 using small handfulls to filter small particles - todo later today as instructed.

3. Deluxe test kit using the drops that tests the above.

They did not test for TDS/copper/iron/phosphates or salt

He suggested that I come back later today and buy the chem to raise the ph more.

Upon opening I set 3" puck feeder on 5. brush/vaccum to waste etc - same as usual
Then used the standard opening kit from the pool store.

Apologies if i'm a little loose on the terminology(but i'm a quick learner).

I would really like to use / borax,bleach etc as the chem ingredients are the same from what I've read and understand. I'm off to Wallmart for the 20 Mule, cool name BTW hehe.

Again - many thanks for the assistance !!!! Will keep you posted as the day goes on - I want 1/2 gainers off the board and cold beer - todays gonna be a beaut !

quick question - will clorox harm or bleach my vinal liner ?

Rob