Pool store wasn't keen on credit for the 'package' chems. I also asked him what to add, and he said "call back when it's filled, I'll walk you through"... mm, thanks! Maybe at that point I can 'exchange' unopened items for more useful items.

Tested my fill water: This is city water, from the hose...

FC = .5ppm
TA = this is where direction following helps. I got to 32 drops (yikes) and it changed color when I dropped it in but the sample then went back to green. I read the 'detailed' directions and suspect I wasn't fully inverting the bottle to get a full sized drop so hoping that number is high, or doesn't matter on my vinyl lined ABG. So, my question that I didn't find answered is whether you've got your result when the drop added changes color or if the whole sample is suppose to change?

PH = 7.5
CH = 425 (and this is where I stopped with a 'purple' sample - never saw blue. I *know* the fill water is hard - does this indicate 'other' minerals? Should I put a sock on the hose when we fill it?)

I've been working on figuring out what to do after install, so see if I'm thinking on the right lines. Need to add chlorine and keep it ?at what level? while CYA has a chance to dissolve. CYA is added by either using the 'tablets' they give me to add both chlorine and CYA together or with bleach + CYA.

The other concern I have is the calcium, I believe the 'chlorine' I get with my kit is cal-hypo and I don't think I want to ADD Calcium to my pool! I've got bleach on hand and don't plan to open the cal-hypo. What problems can I expect from hard water? I'm reading the Lime Softening article now :-)

Thanks!!! T -39 hours and counting :-)