New Pool Owner

[kb22]

Hey folks!

I have heard great things about this forum from Reddit so wanted to join the community. I am a first time pool owner as it came with our first home purchase last summer and I still feel like I have a lot to learn. I was able to maintain quality water last summer thanks to the previous owner keeping the pool in great shape and showing me some of the ropes before we moved in. A bit about my pool below if anyone has tips I should consider. I'll be opening the pool for the first time this year so I'll have a lot of questions.

Region: Quebec, so the climate is humid summers and frozen winters.
Above Ground - about 7,630 Gallons
Vinyl Liner
Salt Water Generator
Sand Filter
Heater
Skimmer and Bottom Drain

What has always confused me is the competing opinions or information about what chemicals I need. I plan to open the pool in the next couple of weeks, water is sorta clear but definitely has some green to it. I have a pool chemical opening kit the previous owner left me I plan to put in, along with the Pool Salt.

Do I need algaecide for a SWG pool or will the SWG and Filter/Backwash/Vacuum be the only thing I need? Someone mentioned putting liquid chlorine at the start to give a shock boost but I haven't seen anything to back that up, and it seems like shocking a salt water pool is a bad idea?
Is CYA something I need to put in a salt water pool? I heard conflicting opinions on this, particularly because its a vinyl liner?
I plan to use Borax and Baking Soda as my chemicals to level out alkalinity and ph, is this advised?

Let me know if these questions should be posted elsewhere on the forum.

Cheers!

 

[PoolStored]

Do not put the opening kit into the pool.
You need to test your salt level before adding salt. You need a K-1766 to test salt. Amazon.ca https://www.amazon.ca/TAYLOR-TECHNOLOGIES-K-1766-CHLORIDE-WATER/dp/B001DO35EU
You also need a proper test kit. The best available in Canada is this: https://www.amazon.ca/Taylor-K-2006C-Complete-Swimming-Alkalinity/dp/B0002IXIJ0
I know, pricey, but it WILL save you money by not putting in what you don't need and will save you a lot of hassle and time. It is accurate.

You will never need algaecide with TFP. Saved money toward the test kit already.
SWG, if sized properly will sanitize the pool. You should always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels
If you have a green pool, then follow the SLAM process to clear the pool. You need the kits above to SLAM. Link-->SLAM Process
Yes, you need CYA. You also need the kit to measure CYA. CYA is what protects your chlorine (FC = Free Chlorine) from the sun, and without it chlorine is harsh on the skin. Liner or any other type of pool.
If your TA > 50, no need to ever raise it. If below 50, raise it with Baking Soda.
In general, unless your pH < 7, there is no need to ever raise pH. It will rise on its own. If you are below 7, then your TA is also below 50. Raise TA to 50-60, then raise your pH to 7.4 with Borax.

Get the test kits, get some liquid chlorine and muriatic acid (to lower pH), and follow the SLAM process to clear the pool.