New Pool Owner Desperately Trying to Figure out My Chemicals

[Crystal Clear Trumbo]

New pool owner here, and I cannot get these chemicals under control. I made the mistake of going to Leslie's pool first. I now own 50 lbs of Power Powder Granular, that I was told to use as my chlorine. I think this was my first mistake. When we first bought the home, the pool had a chlorine tablet dispenser, should I have kept the dispenser and used tablets? I was instructed by Leslie's to add 16 oz of powder to the pool each week, dispersing it over the week. When the pH is too high, I add about 1/2 gallon of Muriatic Acid. I feel like I am chasing my tail between these two chemicals.

I bought the 5 way test kit, and I can't seem to keep the Chlorine up and the pH down. Please help!
Chlorine: 1.0
pH: 8.2

Thank you Trouble Free Pool Community.

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

It is important to keep PH between 7.2 and 7.8 at all times.

What is your CYA?

This is how we kill algae, SLAM Process

Do a little reading here to start
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry