Janet...

No no..it does help. Thank you!

As for the numbers:

Alk=20x10=200 (when the green turned red)
CL=1/2 (in between)
PH=7.5/7.8
Hardness=160
CYA=The black dot never "went away" or disappeared.....did this twice

As for the "stuff" that my neighbor gave me along with the kit was:

1. HTH-Chlorinating Granules
2. HTH-Shock 'n Swim
3. HTH-Stabilizer Conditioner

As for my "filter" they are saying the only one compatible is type "A"...is there another brand I can use or are there better filters out there?

I've cleaned it once already...quite gross but...I managed to get my high pressured hose to rinse out all the yellow looking material in there...

Thanks in advance!