Need some help/ advice

[Gardenmom]

I have had few issues with my pool since I found TFP years back. Until now. We went on vacation for 2 weeks, added additional liquid chlorine, and a few pucks in a floating dispenser, as my CYA was low enough. When we returned, there was a bit of algae on the floor and on the shady walls. SLAMmed, then OCLT. PH, TA, CH all unchanged. Chlorine level adjusted. Then, since reading good things, I decided to try adding Borax. Ran my numbers on PoolMath, said to add 7+ boxes. Hmmm, that sounds like a lot. Previously started with 2 boxes, didn’t do much, Borates to 5. So, then I added 4 boxes. Yikes! The pH is a brilliant bright magenta red. Significant increase in TA. What to do? Values below.

Pre vacation: FC 3(raised to 16 day we left), CC 0, pH 7.6, TA 80, CH 80, CYA 45, Borates 5, Temp 83°
Post vacation : FC 1, CC 0, pH 7.3, TA 80, CH 80, CYA 50, Borates 5, Temp 84°
SLAM: ( 3 days) FC 14, CC 0, pH 7.4, TA 80, CH 80 CYA 50, Borates 5 Temp 84°, passed OCLT
Today:added 4 boxes borax yesterday: FC 5, CC 0, pH off the charts!, TA 140, CH 80, CYA 50, Borates 25, Temp 84°

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

Start adding acid. Add enough to drop pH by 0.6 at a time. Test TA each time so you have that number for Poolmath.
Get pH into the 7's. Watch the TA.

If you want to add borates, use boric acid.

 

[PoolStored]

Duda Diesel is about the best place for granular boric acid.

Granular Boric Acid, 55 lb [boric55] | DudaDiesel Biodiesel Supplies

 

[Gardenmom]

Thank you for your prompt responses. I used Borax as that was first on PoolMath list, from reading other info, always a learning curve.
Found about 1.5 cups dry acid, added last night.
Here are todays values:
FC 2.5, pH 8.4*, TA 130. CC, CH, CYA, Borates no change.
* As the kit test tube only reads to 8, and the color was above that, I checked with some AquaChek test strips that read to 8.4. Hoping close enough. Using the Acid Demand #R-0005, 10 drops to get to 7.7.
Also found about 1.5 cup of Jasco Green MA. No Baume listed. Can I use this up? Should I purchase more of this from Lowes’s, dry acid from a pool store, or this item, Acid Blue MA from Amazon? I guess I am a bit hesitant now.
Thank you for all your assistance!