Murky green and pressure, what's next?

[S1B12]

So here's where I'm at - rough start to pool ownership!

I drained 3/4 of the water do dilute the extreme hardness rating (this was in progress when i first posted) as well a clear a lot of heavy branches etc from the pool.

The filter is running and I've added shock as well as bleach and 'Green to Clean'... I now have a murky green pool....

Waiting on my test kit to arrive so here are pool store results (Leslies') - suggestion that high TA is from recent rain.

FAC 2
TAC 3
CH 280
CYA 60
TA 170
PH 7.8
Copper 0
Iron 0
TDS 1000
Pho 0

Next steps:
Order an accurate test kit from the comparison chart.
Read pool school for the third time so i have a good understanding of the chemistry.
Order a solar cover.

Another point, the pressure is constantly around 22PSI, nearing 30 at this point. From the previous owner it has always ran around 20PSI but in comparison to the majority of the posts here that seems high.

I've attached some pictures of the pool and equipment for reference. http://imgur.com/a/9NsPa
Thanks for any insights anyone can provide.

 

[Richard320]

That is an old Diatomaceous Earth filter, and the reason the pressure is high is because the filter is getting clogged with dead algae and mud and whatever else is in the pool besides water. The cure is a backwash and recharge. Hopefully the previous owner left you some DE. And also hopefully there's still a label on that filter somewhere to tell you the size or the model number or the DE charge so you know how much to put back in after a backwash. See Pool School - Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters for a basic overview.

Hopefully you've already ordered the test kit. If not, go to TFTestkits.net and get a TF100 and the XL option. The XL option doubles the reagents you'll be burning through while clearing the green, and it's almost guaranteed you won't find refills in stock anywhere locally.

For what it's worth, rainwater has no TA in it. The pool store clerk is full of #&*%. Heavy rain can aerate the pool surface and drive pH up, but it won't add any FC, TA, CH, or CYA to the pool. Stay out of the pool store. They're only useful for obscure bits of hardware.

 

[S1B12]

Thanks! I ordered the taylor kit but since it hasnt shipped I'll try to cancel and switch to the TF100 XL.

Is there an advantage to having a newer filter? I'm intrigued by a cartridge setup for lower maintenance.