Okay, i've done a bit more reading on this forum and think i have figured a few things out. So to keep the pool in shock, i need to be at a minum fc of 12ppm and no more than 15ppm. And since i have a salt system that may or may not be working, i should just keep it off while getting rid of the algae so i can better maintain the fc. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Question: is it better to have a lower cya so the chlorine can work better? Apparently having a high cya makes the chlorine work overtime and requires way more chlorine.

So, i ordered the Taylor kit and should be here shortly. what should i do in the meantime? I'm guessing that if i get a fc reading of 5 on the cheap kit, i should just adjust as accordingly.