Hey all! Just had our above ground pool installation finished on July 7th! A 28' round! We added the chemicals that our store suggested. They then suggested we add chlorine sticks to the skimmer and once a week add 2 bags of shock and algicide. I added the weekly amounts of those chemicals this past sunday night. We swam on monday and we all noticed itching. With testing using bioguard maintain 4 way strips, the free chlorine is in the 0 range. The pH is 8.0 or higher, and the alkalinity is above 180. They sent granular pH reducer, so I have begun adding that to the skimmer slowly.

Do I continue to add the pH reducer until it is in range?
Do I need to add muriatic acid or sodium bisulphate to decrease the alkalinity?
Do I then add granular shock to get the free chlorine back up??

Questions, questions!
Thanks,
a new pool owner.